Obstacles to Destination Inspection, By Stakeholders
Maritime
By Francis Ugwoke
Industry stakeholders have identified possible obstacles to the successful implementation of destination inspection.
Destination Inspection, which means inspection of imports on arrival at the nation's ports, is expected to replace pre-shipment inspection of imports any moment government gives an effective date.
Chairman, Port Consultative Council (PCC), Dr. Waidi Kareem, who described DI as the best in the country, however said that corruption among customs and other port officials, delay in the release of documents through frivolous queries or issuing of debit notes can mar the scheme.
Among other problems, Kareem thisted are poor infrastructural facilities, such as roads, railways, electricity, lack of operational interface among the Customs Service, Nigeria Ports Authority, shipping and freight forwarding companies, undue government interference and resistance of change by ports officials.
He told participants at a seminar on shipping organised by the Nigerian/American Chamber of Commerce that part of the plans to make the scheme a success should be to check the emergence of such obstacles.
Noting that expectations of importers, port users, government and indeed all Nigerians were high as far as the scheme is concerned, Waheed was of the view that every effort must be made for DI's success.
The PCC Chairman who pointed out that foreign suppliers of goods to Nigeria were anxious to see how the scheme would be executed, advised that the scheme must be carried out with "probity, equity and transparency" on the part of the customs and other port officials.
"This is a challenge which all parties concerned, including the Federal Government, must face with serious determination, decisiveness and commitment", he advised.
He added that the success or failure of DI would largely depend on how well prepared the NPA will be for the scheme, explaining that 90 percent of the country's imports comes through the seaports.
In his view, NPA has to make provision for adequate berthing facilities, sufficient warehouses for stacking of cargo, adequate supply of plans and equipment.
The organisation, according to him, should also ensure that the ports have efficient stevedoring and productive labour force, computerized billing and releasing processes as well as adequate human and cargo security.
Waheed, however, said that he was sure from all indications that the Authority was ready for the DI regime, adding that rehabilitation of existing port facilities, establishment of off-terminals and procurement of modern cargo handling equipment have been embarked upon by the organisation.
On the part of the Customs, Waheed, who is also a freight forwarder, said that the scheme was not new to the Service.
According to him, for the success of the scheme, the Customs should, among others, simplify cargo clearance procedure, re-orientate personnel towards change and the culture of transparency and staff motivation.
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