100 % Compliance Team faults bonded terminals on dearth of equipment *Their charges are so high, yet no operating equipment – Says Alhaji Tanko

100 % Compliance Team faults bonded terminals on dearth of equipment

*Their charges are so high, yet no operating equipment – Says Alhaji Tanko

By Udeme Clement:

Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko :

The National Coordinator, 100 percent Compliance Team of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, has said that some bonded terminals in Lagos lack modern equipment needed for operational efficiency in the maritime industry.

He made this known in a chat with reporters, following his tour of bonded terminals located within Lagos axis.

Alhaji Tanko, expressed great displeasure on what he described as dearth of standard operating equipment in some of the terminals visited by his team during the exercise.

He frowned at a situation where the terminal operators collect very high charges from importers, yet they don’t have necessary equipment to fast track operations.

“His words, “In fact, while some bonded terminals lack necessary equipment, others don’t even have space for the containers.

“During our visit to various terminals, we saw that some areas were flooded and not suitable for operations.”

He informed, “Aside from arbitrary charges, these terminal operators often move containers to different locations without the consent of the owners, only to charge them exorbitant prices.

“This practice is totally unacceptable to freight forwarders in the industry. If nothing is done to correct this abnormally, we will withdraw our services as the last resort”.

Alhaji Tanko stressed, “We want people to do the right thing, in order to facilitate trade. We discovered that at present, some bonded terminals don’t have fork-lift.”

“What they do is to arrange and hire a fork-lift whenever the need arises. Can you imagine this type of situation”, he exclaimed.

Speaking further, the National Coordinator, commended the Founder,
National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr Boniface Aniebonam, on whose ingenuity the Compliance team was inaugurated.

He emphasised that members of the team are working assidiuously in carrying out their mandate.