The Shippers Association of Lagos State has warned that the cost of clearing cargo in some Nigerian ports may soon increase by 15 per cent to 25 per cent.

Mr Jonathan Nicol, the general secretary of the association, gave the warning in an interview with newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.

He said that the increase might be connected with the increase in port charges paid by shippers.

“Port charges which we thought should have been harmonised by now are still being increased without notice.

“We are in constant dialogue with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council on payment of shipping and terminal charges,” he said.

Nicol advised APM Terminals in Apapa to review its system of examining containers to reduce the number of days spent in inspecting containers.

“It takes seven days for a container to be examined and this is unacceptable.”

The association’s scribe urged the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to take over destination inspection from service providers, saying the inspection is the statutory function of the service.

He alleged that service providers were making a lot of money each year from the 1 per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme charges paid by the shippers.

He suggested that para-military service operating in the port should be overhauled to handle inspection of cargo to facilitate quick delivery of cargo.

Nicol also urged the NCS to remove bottlenecks militating against cargo delivery after such cargo had been physically examined.

“If shippers have paid their customs duty, we expect the NCS to release their goods after they have been physical examined.

“It should not take more than three hours for a consignment to leave the port after release,” he said.