In spite of encountering challenges during data collection, the Tincan Island Port Command (TIPC) cargo Time Release Study (TRS) is nearing completion and is expected to be released in September, according to Comptroller Dera Nnadi, Customs Area Controller(CAC) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The CAC revealed this information in a press briefing with Journalist at Apapa in Lagos.
Comptroller Nnadi confirmed that TRS, assisted by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), launched in February 2024 was to determine the time it takes to clear cargo at the port. Nnadi, who oversees the study, acknowledged challenges in collecting data due to apathy from port users but expressed excitement about the upcoming release of the report.
He noted that the study is aimed to survey 600 respondents but was expanded to 1,000 to ensure a representative sample of the international trade community in Nigeria. Tincan Port was chosen for the TRS due to previous delays in cargo release, but significant improvements have been made since the clearing of port access roads and reactivation of night operations.
His words: “All agencies in the port and industry captains are involved in the TRS, which aims to reduce cargo release time and improve turnaround time. The WCO TRS is a globally recognized tool to measure the time required for cargo release and clearance, identifying bottlenecks and areas for improvement”.
He affirmed that this is not the first TRS attempt in Nigeria, with previous efforts in 2010 and 2018. The current study builds on lessons learned from these attempts and aims to promote international trade growth, Nnadi noted.
