SGS Commissions Gantry Scanner Sites

The drive by the Federal Government to boost trade facilitation and achieve a -48 hour cargo clearance target at the nation’s seaports, seem to be visible as the service provider, SGS Commissions the Gantry Scanner Sites at Onne and Port Harcourt Ports.

Speaking during the commissioning of the Gantry Scanner Sites, Onne/Port Harcourt Area I Seaports at the West African Container Terminal (WACT). Onne Port, last Thursday, the Assistant Comptroller General of Customs/Zonal Co-ordinator, Zone ‘C’, Port Harcourt, Dr David Olusegun Agbaje, said that the introduction of the hi-tech Gantry Scanner by SGS, is a new improved modern technology that will complement current efforts of the Federal Government at reducing the cost of doing business at the ports.

According to him, “the scanners are more productive and cost effective than fixed cargo scanners. Each can scan about 34 trucks per hour as compared with 16 trucks for fixed scanners. Each has double tunnel which enables it to scan two trucks at the same time with equal quality as a fixed scanner. It is therefore a boost to trade facilitation and 48 hours target for clearance of goods at the ports”, he added.

Agbaje who represented the Comptroller General of Customs Zonal Co-ordinator Zone ‘C’, commended SGS for introducing the modern scanners and training of custom officers who will man the scanners at the end of the contract between SGS and Federal Government.

The Managing Director, SGS, Nigel Balchin, explained that the scanner is reloadable and most stable in the world, stressing that the truck moves the scanner on a conveyor belt and can scan two trucks at the same time.

He said the firm has also trained custom officers that will take over the control of the scanners at the end of the contract.

Also speaking the CAC, Onne Customs Command Magaji Mohammed, while commending SGS, said, for four years SGS has made clear of cargo very simple, noting that with the new scanner, the 48 hours cargo clearance deadline will be achieved as well as improve the revenue of the customs.

According to him, it will discourage concealment, false declaration of cargoes by importers and importation of banned goods into the country.

He charge members of the customs to inform the general public on the provision of the machine.