Onne Customs Commissions Gantry Scanners

In a bid to meet up the Federal Government order of 24-hours
cargo clearance at the various ports in the country, the Nigeria Customs
Service (NCS), Onne Port in Rivers State has commissioned Gantry Scanner
introduced by its service provider, Societe Generale Survellance (SGS) Nigeria
Limited.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Comptroller General of
Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko said the equipment could scan about 34 trucks
per hour as against 16 per hour by the old fixed cargo scanner.

Alhaji Dikko, who was represented by the Assistant
Comptroller-General, Zonal Co-ordinator, Zone C, Port  Harcourt. Mr David Agbaje noted that with the
inauguration of the new scanner, Port users would complete their port business
activities in the nation’s seaports within 24-hours.

He said the new scanners are more cost effective and
productive than the fixed cargo scanners being used at the port and enjoined
them for maximum utilisation.

The Customs boss disclosed that each of the scanners had
double tunnel that could enable it scan two trucks at the same time and with
equal image quality as the fixed cargo scanner.

Alhaji Dikko hinted that the equipment would further boost
the federal government target of 48-hours cargo clearance at the ports, adding
that it would also complement government’s efforts toward reducing cost of business
transaction at the seaports.

He further disclosed that the newly commissioned Gantry
Scanners by Societe Generale Surveillance (SGS) could pick or detect the
smallest object inside the containers as well as check under estimation of
goods by fraudulent importers in the port.

The Comptroller General however lauded the service
providers, SGS for introducing the modern facilities to scan cargoes at the
port and also thanked them for training some customs officers and warned them
against under utilisation and damages.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Societe Generale
Surveillance (SGS), Mr Nigal Balchin assured of quality services and better
utilisation of the mobile cargo scanners
as they are delicate equipment to handle and prone to moisture.

Collins Barasimeye