Nigerian Tribune checks have revealed that shipping companies and operators of port terminals operating in Nigerian ports have incurred losses in billions of Naira after the loss of 151 containers loaded with imports by importers to the federal government.
In a public notice issued by the Customs Service of Nigeria (NCS), 151 containers of extra hours and vehicles domiciled in the Apapa port and the Puerto KLT terminals in Lagos were already scheduled for judicial conviction.
According to the public notice observed by the Nigerian Tribune, the Customs Service said that the condemnation action is in line with the NCS 2023 law, after an export motion with the suit no: FHC/L/MISC/8262024 of November 28, 2024.
Our correspondent said that of the 151 containers listed, 91 of them are domiciled in the APAPA port, while the remaining 60 containers are in the KLT terminal.
Speaking in the confiscation order, a former national president of the Association of Customs Agents with Nigerian License (ANLCA), Olayiwola Shittu explained that every time the charges are subject to their sentence, shipping companies and the operators of Port Terminal No They obtain income from these works.
According to Mr. Olayiwola Shittu, “the condemnation of certain charges is not something new. He has always been in the Customs and Special Tax Management Law (CEMA). In fact, according to that law, there are 28 days. I don't know why suddenly has passed to 30 days.
“There are some extra time containers that the owners deliberately leave within the ports for reasons better known to them. What happens if containers contain illicit drugs, weapons and ammunition? The owners will not appear. In this type of situation, port terminals and shipping companies are losing income with millions of dollars because no one has presented to clean those containers.
“For ships to bring those containers here, there are attached positions to these services called shipping charges. Even when those containers are downloaded in the port terminals, they occupy spaces and can pay the storage charges.
“But now, these containers have left inside the ports and have become extra time containers. Shipping companies and port terminals have incurred losses because no one has come to assume the responsibilities of these loads.
“There are rules that prevent shipping companies from bringing illicit products to any country. I don't know why Nigeria is not implementing such rules. In general, if Nigeria is implementing such rules, ships that bring illicit drugs to the country must be arrested.
“But here, ships bring all kinds of goods, download them and return to their countries. At the end of the day, the owners of these charges will not appear to clarify them, and become overtime, incurring the cost of terminal operators and shipping companies. “