FG demands increased scanner usage in ports

The Federal Government, has called on the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and other stakeholders to synergise with the Nigerian Customs Service to achieve 15, 000 monthly scanners’ capacity.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, said this on Tuesday in Apapa, Lagos, during the commissioning of three new Nuctech Mobile Scanners.

She urged the management of the Nigeria Customs Service to collaborate with contractors of the scanners for easy maintenance.

“I therefore implore the management of the NCS to collaborate with the scanners contractor to ensure proper maintenance and full utilization of the scanners within the 30 months provided in the contract agreement, as well as enhanced Capacity Building and Training of 120 NCS scanning officers,” she said.

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Ahmed said that the newly commissioned scanners had the capacity to detect prohibited imports concealed in cargoes.

Ahmed said that the commission of the scanners was in line with efforts to expedite Customs’ operations.

“It has the capacity to detect prohibited import concealed in cargoes. It enables more cargoes to be scanned and brings about the desired efficiency and effectiveness in cargo examination processes. The commissioning of these three non-intrusive scanners is in line with efforts to expedite customs operations and achieve its mandate of ease of doing business, trade facilitation and preventing port congestion.”

The minister said that the scanners would also help to boost revenue of the service.

“These three scanners will help increase revenue for government and improve national security. It will also help enhance the remote audit trail of goods within the port system.

“The essence of this was to modernize the operations of the NCS in line with International best practices. At the expiration of the contract in December, 2012, it was extended to a period six of (6) months which ended in June, 2013. Subsequently, the Government entered into a Transition Agreement which terminated on 30 November, 2013 and the NCS commenced the operations of the scanners. However, upon the exit of the Scanning Service Providers, some of the Scanners became dysfunctional which resulted in physical examination of goods by the NCS.”