The Rivers port in Port Harcourt Area 1, before now had suffered unmitigated decay of its infrastructure resulting in loss of big and world-class shipping companies and big time importers. But import business is now at the peak with the new privatization regime. While this development is encouraging maritime stockholders to return to the port, the only one road –industry road off Azikiwe road that leads to the port has remained a death trap to all and sundry. Harry Samuel, Customs Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Area I Customs Command situated within the port in this interview with SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Godwin Egba, on behalf of his Area controller, comptroller Dan Garba Kuffi, opens up on the deplorable condition of the road, the customs revenue drive and other issues. Excerpts:
Can we meet you?
Yes, my name is Harry Samuel, the Customs Public Relations officer (CPRO) Customs Area I Command here in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
How has it been with the Command operating within the Niger Delta in terms of security and its challenges in its statutory duty?
Area 1 command is very peaceful, no security threat to us and we don’t have any problem. The only constraint we have is the road. It is too bad. We need the government to come in to at least dualize it or give it a face-lift so that trucks can come in and go peacefully because trade facilitation encompasses every possibility. But for now, with its condition, no big trucks can come in easily without obstruction. Concerning our statutory duty, we are very much on course.
Is it not the responsibility of the Nigerian Ports Authority to see to the safety of the road?
When we observed the condition of the road, we held a meeting with the ports authority but they said it is the responsibility of the federal government to dualize it. However, we said since the federal government is not forthcoming, what do we do? They said they would do a memo to the minister of transport who is also in charge of NPA matters. That they would liaise with the Ministry so that the problem would be solved, but since then we are still waiting and nothing has been done.
Since the road has been in this state, have you recorded vehicle accident especially to trucks coming in and going out of the port terminals?
That is a regular occurrence. When it happens they would bring another truck or tow van. That is the usual experience.
What is the level of activities in the port that has to do with the Customs and it’s generation of revenue and other duties?
Port Harcourt Area 1 port is mainly for bulk cargo. Previously, we used to receive containerized cargos, but after some time it ceased since 2008. I came here 2008, since then we have not seen containerized vessels. Rather, we receive bulk cargo like rice, cement, frozen bulk fish, wheat among others. Even at that, the rate of bulk cargo flow is low.
What factors would you attribute that to?
One, the seashore needs to be dredged; second, the berth spaces are not enough. We have only eight berthing spaces. Two concessionaires PTOL and BUA NIGERIA LIMITED own the existing berth spaces. Initially INTELS and MAERSK LINE were operating here in Area 1, but since they relocated to Onne Port Free Zone most of their customers were also lured away with them.
But Onne port is mainly dedicated to oil and gas related services and not for bulk cargo. How do you reconcile the two?
The Onne port entertains bulk cargo vessels, but at times not as much as that of Area 1. We in Area 1 held a meeting with the concessionaires with PTOL championing on how containerized vessels should start coming to Area 1, but that has not yielded positive result yet.
You mentioned freight charges, how does that affect Area 1?
We (Customs) don’t have differential charges; all goods are electronic manifest from their sources of imports. Most importers complain that charges they get from their service providers are too high. That makes them to turn to other ports. Customs in Port-Harcourt Area 1 don’t have any problem with importers, because if your goods arrive the port, assessment is made and payment confirmed if the goods are duty payable.
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