To address the issue of congested ports due to overtime cargo, the Nigeria Customs Service has formed a committee for swift decongestion.
According to The PUNCH, the Customs Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, officially inaugurated the Disposal of Overtime Cargo Committee on Thursday in Abuja.
He stated that the initiative aligns with the new Customs Act, granting the NCS authority to dispose of containers surpassing their allocated time at the ports.
Adeniyi highlighted port decongestion as a top priority, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for increased efficiency and improved trade facilitation.
The NCS Act 2023 now stipulates that the disposal of overdue cargo requires a court order.
He said, “It’s worth noting that approximately six months ago, the new NCS Act received former President Muhammadu Buhari’s signature, ushering in substantial modifications to the previous protocols governing the disposal of overtime cargo.
“The Act also stipulates that goods must be disposed of through public auction or tender, to be widely publicised in advance through national newspapers, television, and the service’s official website.”
