The Association of Bonded Terminal Operators of Nigeria (ABTON) has urged the Federal Government to revive cargo transactions in the off dock terminals.

Mr Haruna Omolajomo, the ABTON Secretary, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday.

He said such move would help to decongest the ports as was the plan before bonded terminals were established.

Omolajomo spoke against the backdrop of the directive by the Apapa Customs Command for terminals under its purview to submit list of overtime cargoes in their terminals for onward transfer to government warehouse at Ikorodu.

“We have a container of 2013 here in our terminal, it is not our duty to transfer them to Ikorodu, but that of NPA and the Customs.

“The bonded warehouses were established in the early 2000 to act as buffer for sea ports terminals.

“The numerous traffic problems being faced at Apapa Area can be curb if cargo operations is resumed at the off dock stations,” Omolajomo, also General Manager of Duncan Terminal, said.

According to him, off duck stations started witnessing non-transfer of containers from ports since the time of concession.

“It was selfish reasons that made sea port terminal operators deny bonded warehouses cargoes; the Customs as an agency regulator can change this anti-economic trend.” he said.

NAN reports that over 30 bonded warehouses located in Lagos State had being lying fallow for the years. (NAN)

– Sept. 18, 2018 @ 12:39 GMT |