According to SHIPS & PORTS reports, the Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has restricted importers and agents from clearing pharmaceutical items and overage used automobiles imported via the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
Confirming the news, the command's spokesman, Uche Ejesieme, stated that the Customs headquarters recently issued a circular prohibiting the importation of pharmaceutical commodities via the port. He stated that the circular's substance had been brought to the notice of all relevant parties.
"Yes, it is true. A circular has been passed stating that pharmaceuticals would not be allowed at Tin Can Island Port. It is an extant law that is still standing till today. The law stated that Apapa port and the international airport are the only places where pharmaceuticals can be allowed to come.
“Regarding overage vehicles, the Comptroller’s stand has been made known to the clearing agents. No overage vehicles would be allowed at the port,” Ejesieme said.
However, freight forwarders at the port have protested the prohibition, calling it "sudden."
In an interview with SHIPS & PORTS, Frank Obiezekie, National Secretary of the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders in Nigeria (AREFFN), stated the embargo was enacted without enough warning to freight forwarders by the command's new comptroller, Olakunle Oloyede.
He predicted that the measure will spark another round of protests from freight forwarders. Remember that last month, freight forwarders launched a lengthy protest against the adoption of a new value system for imported automobiles based on the vehicle identification number (VIN). They called off the demonstration when Customs management agreed to a one-month moratorium on the controversial policy's implementation.
"It came to our notice recently that the new command controller gave a directive that old vehicles and pharmaceuticals would not be accepted at Tin Can Island port henceforth.
“When asked why the sudden policy, he said it is a policy that ought to have been implemented by previous controllers but because of unidentified reasons, they left it unimplemented.
“No one is against that implementation but what we are clamoring for is that they should let agents clear their already imported pharmaceuticals and overage vehicles. And one of the reasons why we go for overage vehicles is because they are affordable. Any vehicle above 2014 upward attracts heavy duty.
“Predicated on this now and the VIN policy, there is side talk that there would be another strike action at the port.
“Customs is just too desperate about generating revenue. If care is not taken, the port would be locked down again,” he said.