By Godwin Oritse

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, is currently considering the use of alternative transport mode for quick cargo delivery.

Cargo scanners

Speaking with  Vanguard Maritime Report  during a visit by the Norwegian Seafood Council, Deputy Comptroller in charge of Compliance and Enforcement at the Tin-Can Island port, Mr. Chidera Nnadi, assured the Council that the management of the Customs service was considering the use of other modes of transport like the waterways to get cargoes out of the ports.

He disclosed that decision for use of other modes of transporting cargoes out of the ports was awaiting the approval of the management of the agency.

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The Customs chief explained that the cargo throughput has doubled over time without a corresponding increase in infrastructure.

He said “As I have always said, even if the roads improve, cargo throughput has doubled over time, we may still have issues of congestion on the roads.

“We are working with Headquarters of the Customs Service to see if we can improve on other means of transportation other than the roads.

“So we are looking at the waterways for the movement of cargoes out of the ports, we are waiting for approval to get that done.

“I believe with that there will be some improvement.

Beyond the factors we cannot manage, we will try as much as possible to optimize the ones we can manage.”