The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (retd.) has reversed his earlier decision to terminate the use of barges to evacuate cargoes from the seaports.
The Customs had last week stopped the operation of barges at the port, saying that some importers and agents were taking advantage of the barge evacuation to divert containers to illegal warehouses.
The decision to stop the barge operation attracted huge outcry from stakeholders.
The stakeholders have, however, commended the Customs for the quick decision to lift the ban.
The Chairman, Nigerian Ports Consultative Council, Otunba Kunle Folarin, commended the CGC for the timely decision, saying that the introduction of barges was an ingenious way of resolving the Apapa gridlock.
Stakeholders said the decision to reverse the order showed that Ali had a listening ear and had the interest of the ports and the nation’s shipping sector at heart.
