Business
Challenges Of Destination Inspection
Destination Inspectors in Nigerian Ports, otherwise known as Service Providers like the SGS and other risk management and scanning service providers are faced with a lot of challenges in the course of their service delivery.
These challenges which are manifested on the day to day running of their businesses at the nation’s port ranges from Risk Assessment Report (RAR)/Risk Management and price verification and classification of information to cargo scanners and scanning services, as well as training courses and complete handover to the Nigerian Custom Service (NCS).
The aim of the Destination Inspection Policy of the Federal Government was primarily to strengthen the capacity of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) by replacing pre-shipment inspection in exporting countries with inspection on arrival in Nigeria using the latest technology tools.
This objective was envisioned to take care of notable irregularities which had characterised the Nigerian Maritime business as the case may be.
Other reasons for the destination inspection include the facilitation of trade through risk management and the use of non-intrusive inspection (x-ray scanning) of selected imports prior to Customs clearances thereby minimising the need for physical examination, as well as to enhance regulatory compliance and collection of import duties/taxes.
In a move to meet the objectives, the Federal Government engaged the services of some service providers like the SGS scanners to assist NCS with the implementation of the Destination Inspection Service (DI).
The three service providers commissioned for the job are SGS, Global Scan and Cotecna, and the function of the service providers are splited into three: port/point of arrival and entry into Nigeria.
SGS zone covers the Port Harcourt main port and airport, Onne Port, Idiroko border post, and the Ilorin International Airport.
Other service providers like the Global Scan covers Calabar Port, Warri, Lagos Airport, and Service Border Area, while the Cotecna canner covers the Apapa Port, Tincan Island Port, Abuja Airport, Kano Airport, as well as the Jibiya and Banki border posts.
In an effort to meet up the stated objectives in their zone, the SGS on their part has said that it has provided both classroom and on the job training for NCS, in all Destination Inspection (DI) aspects, to enable them complete the handover process to NCS at the end of the contract.
Like other service providers might have done, the SGS also said that it has deployed a Risk Management System and X-ray Cargo Scanning Machines to facilitate trade, which have minimised need for physical inspection.
This has also helped to identify suspected containers with contraband goods thereby enhancing the clearance of cargoes as well as reducing the delay caused by physical inspection.
The Managing Director of SGS, Mr Nigel Balchin who dropped the hint when the House of Representative Committee on Customs visited Port Harcourt recently, also posited that the interlink between the service providers system and NCS ASYCUDA system, which is the electronic Customs (e-Customs) and Direct Trade Input (DTI) introduction has helped in compliance and proper accountability.
The ASYCUDA (e-CUSTOMS) which was implemented at Onne Port in November 2007, was later implemented in Port Harcourt in June 2009, which has facilitated documentation/transactions.
Inspite of this progress recorded by SGS, there are other issues that have impeded the smooth sail of the DI activities which have translated to delay in cargo clearing process.
Transmission of documents to service provider(s) is one of such challenges in the DI operations. The guideline requires that Form “M” and other final shipping documents must be received from the bank in Lagos.
The guideline for DI also requires that duly completed and approved form “M” should be submitted to the office of the respective scanning and Risk Service Provider in Lagos not later than five working days after the approval.
According to SGS, this policy has placed importers, particularly those at Eastern ports at a disadvantage as the form “M” application is still in hard copy and has to be sent by courier by the importer’s local bank branch to the bank’s head office in Lagos for approval.
From the SGS presentations, an importer who completes and submits Form “M” in Port Harcourt to his bank, the form has to go by courier to the bank’s office in Lagos, who also will in turn send this document to SGS office in Lagos, which may take up to three days before getting to SGS.
By estimate, a document returned for submission will take six days on the journey, and this will result to delay in cargo clearing process.
Transmission of copies of Risk Assessment Report (RAR) to importees has posed big challenge to service provider like the SGS.
Making a presentation at the seminar organised by maritime reporters in Port Harcourt, Mr Oyebode Joseph of SGS stated that the issue of sending RAR in hard copy to head offices of banks has posed challenges to quick service delivery.
He said RAR contains vital information about the value, and classification for the guidance of NCS to facilitate the final determination for clearing.
According to Mr Joseph, experience has shown that cargoes are not normally presented for scanning by the clearing agents on time. This puts pressure on the scanning operators to cope with the rush at closing time.
The possibility of training Customs officers that will man the scanning and e-Customs services is another challenge facing SGS and other DI contractors before the end to their contract period.
Apart from operating, the maintenance is also vital as well as getting acquainted with the latest technology on scanning and ASYCUDA, before termination of contract.
For the 48 hours cargo clearing process to be effective, the processes of documentation and inspection which have posed challenges to service providers have to be addressed.
As part of solutions to the challenges, Mr Oyebode of SGS has stated that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is rolling an electronic Form “M” project in the near future and this will assist importers outside Lagos.
Also, SGS is positioning to begin to send copies of RAR by e-mail to bank branches that opened the Form “M”.
On the delay on presenting cargo for scanning, clearing agents are being encouraged to make use of the mornings when cargoes can be cleared without delays so as to leave the port in good time.
Also, the SGS has maintained that it will adopt the train the trainer method for Customs officers, who will in turn train others, and this will be done in batches.
When these challenges are taken care of then cargo clearing process could be easier, and there is hope that 48 hour clearing will be achievable, even outside the Lagos ports environs.
Corlins Walter
The Bayelsa Electricity Company Ltd, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment, on Friday, commenced the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed 60-megawatt (MW) power plant.
The Tide’s source reports that the power plant project, led by the Bayelsa State Government, is in Elebele, on the outskirts of Yenagoa, the state capital.
The source also reports that the State Governor, Douye Diri, had announced plans to establish an independent power project to end the state’s reliance on the national grid and provide an uninterrupted power supply across Bayelsa.
The Director of Operations at the Bayelsa Electricity Company Ltd., Steve Bubagha Jnr., conducted the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, and his team around the project site.
Mr. Bubagha explained that the company planned to install a 60MW “plug and play” gas-fired turbine that would receive gas feed from the Oando gas manifold in Elebele.
He said the land area for the project is approximately 5.8 hectares, with 2.1 hectares currently being used.
“The Independent Power Plant is officially known as the ‘Yenagoa Power Project. This is a ‘Plug and Play’ Gas Turbine.
“What we mean by ‘plug and play’ is that the turbine is already set to be installed upon arrival from the manufacturers.
“We are only working on other components, so the turbine should be running in less than two years, or at most, in two years”, Bubagha explained.
Following the site visit, the environment minister, represented by Adimchinobi Okereke, emphasised that the purpose of the visit was to ensure the EIA process adhered to standard guidelines before granting final approval to the project.
He lauded the state government for initiating the project, noting that once completed, it would benefit Bayelsa and contribute to solving Nigeria’s power supply challenges.
Azibola Inegite, a professor and Dean of the Faculty of Science at Niger Delta University, and the EIA consultant for the project, assured that international best practices would be followed in conducting the EIA.
He emphasised that the EIA was essential for the successful execution of impactful land and environment-related projects.
On his part, the technical adviser on Print Media/Public Affairs to Governor Diri, Wisdom Ikuli, commended the Governor for his vision in executing the project.
He stated that the 60MW power plant would help reduce the state’s frequent power outages and boost business growth, thereby accelerating industrialisation.
A key part of the minister’s visit was the “Stakeholders Engagement Scoping Workshop for Environmental Impact Assessment of Proposed Gas Powered Plant and Gas Delivery Pipeline in Bayelsa State”.
The workshop brought together stakeholders from Elebele, whoch include the host community, and Kpansia, an impacted community in Yenagoa Local Government Area.
A firm, Fortune Global Shipping and Logistics Limited, said it has concluded plans to unveil an excellent and cost-effective logistics solution for oil and gas logistics, project cargo, customs clearance, consolidation, and construction, among others, in Lagos State.
Announcing this in a statement on Friday, the company said the initiative would be unveiled during the 2025 Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference.
It stated that the event is billed to take place in Lagos this week.
SAIPEC is an annual global event which focuses on harnessing a sustainable African energy industry through partnerships.
Fortune Global explained that the exhibition promises to engage with other key industry stakeholders, decision-makers, and experts across Sub-Saharan Africa’s energy supply and value chain.
“We invite you to experience more and find out about Fortune Global’s latest innovations in oil and gas logistics. Connect with Fortune Global Shipping and Logistics Limited at the Exhibition Booth N21, Eko Convention Centre, in Lagos”, the statement stated.
Nigeria remains the largest economy in Africa going by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in spite of the challenges faced by yhe country’s private sector.
World Bank’s Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Ndiame Diop, who confirmed this at the Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD) and Stakeholder Engagement in Abuja, Friday, said while Nigeria receives far less Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) than its potential warrants, especially in comparison to countries like Indonesia and South Africa, it continues to hold its position as Africa’s biggest economy.
He said the CPSD report, set to be released in the coming weeks, will reveal the impact of private sector constraints on economic growth.
Diop noted that if targeted actions were taken to remove these obstacles, Nigeria’s economic potential would be significantly enhanced.
He explained that the current macroeconomic reforms have created a favourable environment for such changes.
He cited the country’s recent economic stabilization measures, particularly exchange rate market adjustments and improved access to foreign exchange, as critical steps that have already enhanced investment conditions.
The Country Director outlined four key sectors where strategic reforms could unlock massive investment and job creation.
He stayed that in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector, investment opportunities worth up to $4 billion could be realized, potentially creating more than 200,000 jobs.
In agribusiness, reforms could unlock $6 billion in investment and generate over 275,000 jobs.
The solar photovoltaic (PV) industry holds the potential for $8.5 billion in investment and more than 129,000 jobs, while the pharmaceutical sector could attract $1.6 billion and create more than 30,000 to 40,000 jobs.
For the ICT sector, he identified the high, unpredictable, and inconsistent right-of-way fees, levies, and informal charges, comprising 30 to 70 per cent of broadband rollout costs, as a major barrier.
According to him, addressing these regulatory inconsistencies would be a game-changer for broadband expansion.
He acknowledged that the National Economic Council has recognized this issue and that progress is being made through a World Bank-supported initiative.
He also noted challenges such as vandalism, limited financing for rural broadband expansion, and the need for competitive access to wholesale fiber.
Dr. Diop further noted that efforts are underway in collaboration with government agencies to resolve these issues, and the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and private investors are prepared to support broadband infrastructure development.
On solar power, Diop described Nigeria’s energy sector as difficult but noted that renewable energy access, particularly solar PV, has been a bright spot.
He explained that private sector investment in renewable energy has historically been hindered by high costs and unviable tariffs.
However, blended finance mechanisms supported by the World Bank and IFC have helped bridge this gap, making off-grid solutions more viable.
He noted the DES project, which aims to connect 17.5 million households and businesses to solar power, as evidence of growing private sector interest.
While the solar industry is expanding, he stressed that reforms to improve Nigeria’s grid electricity supply remain crucial for industrialization.
On her part, the Regional Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa at the IFC, Dr. Dahlia Khalifa, stressed the importance of consistency in regulatory policies, particularly in customs duties and revenue agency fees.
She noted that unpredictability discourages private sector investment, as businesses rely on stable regulatory environments for strategic planning.
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