By GODWIN ORITSE

THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) may have decided to dump MTN, as providers of transmission services for clearing information in cargo delivery process.

Disclosing this to Vanguard in Lagos, Mr. Ony Ogbonna, Deputy Comptroller in charge of Customs’ Pre- Arrival Assessment Report in Abuja, said that MTN seem to be overwhelmed by the volume of information awaiting electronic transmission.

Ogbonna at a meeting with Banks involved in the collection of import duty, explained that the backlog of un-transmitted cargo information to both the banks and Customs platforms needs to be resolved to prevent port congestion.

He told Vanguard that the Customs is considering engaging the services of another tele com firm to assist in the transmission of information on cargo clearance so as to tackle the current crisis of backlog of un-transmitted cargo information.

Commenting on the development, Managing Director of Web Fontaine, Mr. Ahmed Muktar told Vanguard that a new provider of transmission service of cargo information has been engaged, but refused to disclose the name of the firm.

He explained that the move to engage another service provider is not unconnected with the current crisis rocking the port system.

Web Fontaine is the Information Technology service provider contracted by the Federal Government to assist Customs to implement the new Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) introduced by the NCS.

Customs sources told Vanguard that a new generation Tele Communication firm has been engaged to assist MTN in this regard.

Meanwhile, port users are of the opinion that Customs should apply to the National Communication Commission (NCC) for their own dedicated broad band with a view to quickening the cargo clearance process.