The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has urged Grimaldi Shipping to increase the number of access cards issued to clearing agents at the Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) for smoother operations.
The association also raised concerns over the rising cost of clearing goods, particularly due to the intervention of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The ANLCA national president presented these concerns before Ascanio Russot, Grimaldi Shipping’s managing director during a recent visit.
“The limited number of access cards has been affecting efficiency at the terminal,” said Emenike Nwokeoji, the ANLCA president who urged the management to “expand access to allow smoother operations” for members.
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In a statement by Joe Sanni, former ANLCA national publicity secretary, Russo assured that Grimaldi’s management would consider the request.
But amid access challenges, the Customs agents also raised concerns over increasing clearing costs at PTML.
“The involvement of the Federal Operations Unit in cargo clearance is making things more difficult. Costs are rising, and this is putting additional pressure on our members,” Nwokeoji said.
During the meeting, the association also appealed to Grimaldi Shipping to provide a dedicated space for the chapter’s secretariat at PTML.
“The National President was not happy at the makeshift secretariat from where the Chapter operates and challenged the EXCO to work hard towards getting a befitting Secretariat,” the statement noted.
Russo, while acknowledging the concerns, directed his team to review the requests. The Customs agents insist the steps be taken urgently to ensure smoother trade operations at PTML.
