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Trade facilitation: SGS backs govt’s trade drive
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Nigel Balchin, Managing Director of SGS, made the position of his company known on this issue while interacting with journalists in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Balchin who said SGS has a seven years contract of scanning imported cargos with Nigerian government, disclosed that currently, their services are being rendered in Onne, Port Harcourt Rivers State as well as Idiroko land border.
He also noted that the company which positioned its scanning machine using electronic devices in Onne port has substantially reduced several delays associated with 100 percent physical examination of cargos, saying the machine is capable of scanning containerized cargos in less than ten minutes.
Though maritime business operators are still skeptical about achieving 48 hours cargo clearance in the Nigerian’s sea ports, but SGS Chief Executive differs in this believe saying it is possible for goods to be cleared within 48 hours though it would still take time.
He attributed the current delay since the introduction of the Destination Inspection (D.I) regime to attitudes of clearing agents and other service providers especially banks and other related agencies within and outside the sea ports.
Balchin hinged on attitudinal approach by stakeholders in the maritime industry under the D.I scheme, stressing that, “trade facilitation is good for Nigeria’s image.”
On insecurity in the Niger Delta region, the MD said none of the company’s workers in Onne port has been a victim of hostage taking, pointing out that the Onne industrial rich oil and gas free zone is still a safe haven for investors.
However, the SGS boss could not reveal the number of containers his scanner have inspected as fraud-free nor declared how much have been accrued to the federal government since the contract agreement, saying such information should come from the Nigerian Customs Service.
Balchin who said SGS has a seven years contract of scanning imported cargos with Nigerian government, disclosed that currently, their services are being rendered in Onne, Port Harcourt Rivers State as well as Idiroko land border.
He also noted that the company which positioned its scanning machine using electronic devices in Onne port has substantially reduced several delays associated with 100 percent physical examination of cargos, saying the machine is capable of scanning containerized cargos in less than ten minutes.
Though maritime business operators are still skeptical about achieving 48 hours cargo clearance in the Nigerian’s sea ports, but SGS Chief Executive differs in this believe saying it is possible for goods to be cleared within 48 hours though it would still take time.
He attributed the current delay since the introduction of the Destination Inspection (D.I) regime to attitudes of clearing agents and other service providers especially banks and other related agencies within and outside the sea ports.
Balchin hinged on attitudinal approach by stakeholders in the maritime industry under the D.I scheme, stressing that, “trade facilitation is good for Nigeria’s image.”
On insecurity in the Niger Delta region, the MD said none of the company’s workers in Onne port has been a victim of hostage taking, pointing out that the Onne industrial rich oil and gas free zone is still a safe haven for investors.
However, the SGS boss could not reveal the number of containers his scanner have inspected as fraud-free nor declared how much have been accrued to the federal government since the contract agreement, saying such information should come from the Nigerian Customs Service.
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