By Godwin Oritse

FREIGTH  Forwarders, importers and dockworkers have lamented inefficiency of the scanning machines installed by GlobalScans Systems at the Seme border saying that the development may lead to loss of revenue to the government.

Speaking to newsmen at Atlas park in   Seme recently, Mr. Ignatius Ezeukwu said that the level of deterioration of the scanners leaves much to be desired adding that the government needed to be  alerted  over the development.

Ezeukwu  stated that if the efficiency of the scanners are not checked, the government will  continue to  lose  revenue as a  result of dismal performance constantly experienced by clearing agents and importers  which is occasioned by  the constant break down of , Ezeukwu lamented  that instead of the management of Globalscan system to concern themselves with the efficiency of their scanning machines, they are carrying out unnecessary propaganda of their efficency on the pages of newspaers.

He however warned that if the scanning machines at Seme are not made to perform efficiently as soon as possible, he will mobilise other importers to move against Globalscan systems.

He said “ A  day is coming when we shall mobilize against them and their obsolete Scanner. “They should realise that it is because of this outdated Scanner that we were compelled to downsize our trucks.  Yet, after we had complied , we constantly face frustration because of everyday breakdown of their Scanner.

“Most times, it takes several days to fix while our demurrage accumulates day after day. We are asking the government to stop the use of this mobile scanner forth-with until the fixed scanner is finished.

“Conduct an opinion poll, we are not the only people affected. check the revenue board of the Customs, its nothing to be written about. In a sharp reaction, the Seme Branch Manager of Globalscanm Mr Babayo Bello said that the scanning machines are workin perfectly well.

“We scan 20 trucks in one hour, and 150 in one day, whatever  anybody says to you is not true”

Asked if they operate 24 hours, Bello explained that if the government gives such directive, they will do.

“We only scan trucks whose documents have been perfected  by the relevant government  agencies,” he added.