Licensed customs agents have urged the Nigeria Customs Service to extend the two-week deadline given to importers to clear 905 overdue cargoes at various terminals in Lagos State.

The agents made the call in separate interviews on Sunday, according to The PUNCH.

The NCS had granted importers and agents of the 905 cargoes a two-week grace period to clear the goods, warning that failure to do so would lead to forfeiture to the Federal Government.

The service stated that it would commence disposal procedures for the overdue cargoes once the deadline expires.

However, a leader of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Mr. Abayomi Duyile, described the two-week period as insufficient, adding, “I think the time should be extended.”

“I think that the time should be extended. It should be extended so that these importers will not lose their investment,” Duyile said.

He proposed that the government could support importers by appealing to shipping companies to reduce or cover the demurrage charges.

The National Public Relations Officer of the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria, Mr. Taiwo Fatobilola, also urged that the deadline be extended, pointing to poor network connectivity at the ports as a major challenge.

“If you are giving somebody two weeks, under the two weeks, there is no network to work or to pay, then how do you justify the two weeks you give them?” he asked.

Fatobilola further recommended that the government improve working conditions for terminal operators before requesting them to lower their charges.

“If you are telling the terminal owners to reduce the rent, what have you put in place to cushion the overhead costs they are running?” he asked.

A member of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Mr. Stanley Ezenga, stated that even a one-year extension might still be insufficient for some importers.

“Some people haven’t come to clear their cargoes because of financial constraints; they lack the financial muscle,” he said. “So the government should extend it to give room for those who may have the intention to come and clear but are still looking for money to clear.”

the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, explained that the disposal of overdue cargoes is an ongoing process.