Stakeholders in the maritime industry have accused offcials of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) of extortion at the ports.
The NCS has denied any such dealings, insisting that it is performing its job of securing the nation.
Speaking at the second stakeholders meeting organised by the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) in Apapa, Lagos, yesterday, the stakeholders said what the Customs is doing is against the trade facilitation programme of the Federal Government and ease of doing business.
An Assistant Controller of Customs at the forum Mr Yahaya O I A said the agency has resorted to the measure because most of the importers and clearing agents operating at the sea ports are not honest in their declarations.
Yahaya said if there is information that there was manipulation in the document presented by any importer or clearing agent for the release of cargo from the port, other customs officers will look at the papers before allowing the truck to exit the gate.
The Managing Director of NPA Ms Hadiza Bala Usman said the agency has received several complains from importers and freight forwarders that officials of the NCS are subjecting their cargo to 'second clearing" an allegation that was randomly dismissed by Yahya.
Represented by the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Dr Sokonte Davies, the NPA chief urged the Customs to put in place mechanism that would eradicate re-examination of cargo at the gate, reduce time and boost the policy of the government on the ease of doing business.
She also directed shipping companies to develop their holding bays to international standard to receive their empty containers and reduce the gridlock on the Apapa road.
Some of the truck drivers at the event who spoke with The Nation on the side line of the event alleged that some of the Customs officers at the Tin-Can port demand between N20,000 and N40,000 and, at times, more before allowing them to go.
The importers and drivers appealed to Transport Minister, Mr Rotimi Amaechi; his Finance counterpart, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and the Customs Comptroller-General (CCG) Col Ahmeed Ali (retd) to eliminate what they called "open day extortion at port".