Nigeria – British Chamber Wants MMA Cargo Section Open

The Nigeria-British Cham
ber of Commerce (NBCC) has appealed to the  Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to reopen the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA) Cargo  section closed  to business  since  November 24.
The President, NBCC, Mr. Adeyemi Adefulu made the appeal in Lagos on Friday, while speaking to newsmen.
Adefulu said the closure of National Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) and Skypower Aviation  Handling Company (SAHCOL) warehouses had adversely affected the running of businesses through MMA in Lagos.
The NBCC Boss said there is a compelling need for the Nigeria Customs Service to consider the larger interest of the country to reopen the warehouses, stressing that cargo has been stockpiled in the warehouses to the disadvantage of the business owners.
He said Nigeria-bound air cargo from all over the world are piling in oversea  warehouses and demurrage is accruing on them, adding that sales contract and letters of credit are at risk of non-compliance with agreed terms.
He said the country international reputation in global trade is being jeopardized at a time the economy is struggling with foreign exchange values and the country, trade partners, and local businesses are justifiably anxious about the future.
The NBCC boss appealed  to the management of both  SAHCOL and NAHCO to take the relevant steps to put in place the prescribed safety measures required by  customs.
He urged customs service  management to also speedily review the closure of the  warehouses to enable an amicable  resolution to be reached by both parties, stressing that there is the risk of Cargo  being left on the tarmac if warehouses are filled to capacity without any tangible solution in sight.