By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Nigeria Customs Service orchestrated a strategic meeting on Monday, January 15, 2024.
This is contained in a joint statement signed by the spokesperson of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Maiwadah, and Ismail OmipidanMedia Aide to Honorable Minister, Marine, and Blue Economy on Monday.
According to the statement, key figures present included Hon. Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola; Hon. Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali; Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR; and a virtual attendee, Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria.
The focal point of this consequential gathering was to devise and implement initiatives fostering cooperation, trade facilitation, and operational efficiency within Nigerian seaports.
The statement partly reads, “The primary thrust of this collaborative venture was to deliberate and actualize initiatives that would not only open up ports but also foster seamless cooperation and trade and facilitation. A key focal point of discussion was the strategic integration of the Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology (NIIT) to bolster operational efficiency in Nigerian Seaports.
“Acknowledging the pivotal role of NIIT in actively decongesting ports, the meeting entrusted the Comptroller General of Customs with the mandate to champion and prioritize cargo scanning over traditional physical examination methods.
“Immediate action was endorsed to rectify and optimize all existing scanners at prominent ports such as Apapa, Tincan Island, Onne, and PTML. Simultaneously, the existing mobile scanners will be strategically deployed to facilitate expeditious cargo inspections.”
The statement added that in a cohesive effort, the meeting mandated the Comptroller General of Customs to prioritise cargo scanning over traditional physical examinations, recognising the pivotal role of NIIT in decongesting ports.
Plans were unveiled for efficient container evacuation from Port Harcourt to Aba, with future extensions envisioned for Onne Port.
Considering rail track construction, the NRC agreed to bypass the fixed scanner at Apapa, ensuring unhindered scanning processes during crucial infrastructure development.
The meeting also advocated exploring public-private partnerships for scanning technology installation and maintenance to sustain efficiency and foster innovation in cargo inspection processes.