The Chairman, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Onne Seaport chapter, has called for the implementation of Port Operating Manual and less pressure on Customs scanner.

Mr. Mike Ebeatu, who made the call in a media chat at ANLCA secretariat, Onne, Rivers State, said that the operating manual should not just be a fine document on paper; but one that will serve the purpose for which it was meant.

He maintained that the manual, if properly put in use will help in the ease of doing business at the ports, adding that it would as well reduce some of the day to day challenges being faced by freight forwarders at the ports.

On the deplorable nature of Onne Seaport link roads, Mr. Ebeatu was of the view that only annual revenue generation of Customs in Onne Seaport is enough to put all the roads to use, not minding the revenue of NPA, NIMASA and Immigration, amongst others.

Responding on the day to day challenges being faced by clearing agents on Customs scanner, Mr. Ebeatu expressed his doubt that the only scanner at the command would be able to withstand the pressure that it is currently being faced with. Hence, the need for another one, to enhance the performance of the already existing one.

The engine room of ANLCA, while speaking on the recently concluded maritime stakeholders meeting with the Honourable Minister of State for Transport, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, said that a time will come when they will no longer honour government invitations, since government is aware of the challenges that they are being faced with, but refused to address them.

He, in the meantime, called on government to ensure security of lives and property of all nigerians; as well as synergy between maritime media practitioners and maritime stakeholders.
Source: Blaise Elumezie