Over 2,000 overtime containers at the Tin-Can Island port are ready to be shipped to the government warehouse at Ikorodu, Lagos.
The approval is sequel to an alleged arbitrary increment in its debit note from N180,540.88 to N485,303. 38 by one of the terminal operators.
The Nigeria Customs Service has however ordered the management of the terminal to revert to status quo.
The approval of the 2,000 overtime containers was done by the customs through the Uncleared Cargo List (UCL).
Speaking with newsmen, the acting Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Ikorodu chapter, Chief Martins Ikechukwu, said: “We have hope by next year due to the approved 2000 containers that have been allocated to us through Unclaimed Cargo List (UCL) from Tincan Island Port.”
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He also said the Assistant Comptroller General of Customs in charge of Zonal Headquarters ‘A’ Lagos, Modupe Aremu, intervened to clear the issue.
ACG Aremu reportedly directed the terminal management to revert to status quo, insisting that the increment was done without a proper process as instructed by the office of the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd).
The ANLCA official said the General Manager of Sapid Agency, Mr Francis Itsede, consequently instructed immediate reversal of the controversial charges.
He said, “Francis Itsede, the GMO of SAPID, promised to cooperate by instructing the Terminal Manager, Mr Patrick, to put the increment of the debit note on hold, pending when the necessary approval will be given from the customs headquarters.
“We have hope by next year due to the approved 2000 containers that have been allocated to us through (UCL) unclaimed Cargo List from Tincan Island Port.”
