Business
Firm Tasks FG On Cargo Scanners At Ports
The Group Executive Vice-Chairman, SIFAX Group, Dr Taiwo Afolabi has urged the Federal Government to expedite action on the concessioning of scanners services at the nation’s ports.
Afolabi made the plea in a statement by Mr Philips Ojo, the Corporate Affairs Officer of SIFAX Group in Lagos.
According to him, the Federal Government should take advantage of the private sector financing to address the provision of scanners, in view of the current dwindling financing capability of government.
“I have been an advocate of concessioning of the ports’ scanning service, because the country is just exiting recession; the government does not have the financial muscle to undertake this huge capital investment.
“The concession of the ports scanning service will help in improving efficiency at the ports, just like the government’s concession of seaports in 2006.
“This has yielded great results and turned the maritime sector around.
“It will curb the dangers of errors associated with 100 per cent physical examination currently in use by men of the customs,” Afolabi said.
He said that terminal operators were capable of investing in the scanning service to create more revenue for the country.
Afolabi said that urgent provision of the scanners became necessary following the seizure of 2,671 rifles by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) at Tin Can Island and Apapa Ports within eight months.
“Turkey has been identified as the country of origin of these illegal importations.
“The numbers of illegal arms that have been imported into the country through the ports are staggering and distressing.
“I am convinced that the absence of needed facilities scanners at the ports has emboldened these unpatriotic criminals to keep importing these arms.
“There is little the customs can do to prevent this when they are not well equipped.
“The way to go is to urgently provide scanners at the nation’s ports,’’ he said.
According to him, lack of scanners and other necessary equipment in most of the Nigeria’s entry points have hindered the Ease of Doing Business Executive Order signed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo while acting as president.
Afolabi said that the cargo clearing process under the present condition, would remain cumbersome and make the ports unattractive and without any competitive edge.
Business
NAFDAC Decries Circulation Of Prohibited Food Items In markets …….Orders Vendors’ Immediate Cessation Of Dealings With Products
Importers, market traders, and supermarket operators have therefore, been directed to immediately cease all dealings in these items and to notify their supply chain partners to halt transactions involving prohibited products.
The agency emphasized that failure to comply will attract strict enforcement measures, including seizure and destruction of goods, suspension or revocation of operational licences, and prosecution under relevant laws.
The statement said “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised an alarm over the growing incidence of smuggling, sale, and distribution of regulated food products such as pasta, noodles, sugar, and tomato paste currently found in markets across the country.
“These products are expressly listed on the Federal Government’s Customs Prohibition List and are not permitted for importation”.
NAFDAC also called on other government bodies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service(NIS) Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Shippers Council, and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), to collaborate in enforcing the ban on these unsafe products.
