CUSTOMS AGENTS ADOPT DDC CONCEPTS FOR CARGO CLEARANCE AT PORTS

A freight forwarding group, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA)  has concluded plans to introduce the  Direct Data Capture (DDC) in the cargo clearing process the ports with a view to eliminating corruption.

Disclosing this in Lagos yesterday ANLCA's President Prince Olayiwola Shittu said that the project will allow the group to have details  of every of its  members in a data base for easy identification for the purpose of quick cargo delivery.

It will be recalled that the same concept is currently being  adopted by  the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to execute the on going general elections.

The DDC concept, according to Shittu  will also be used for the registration of its members who will also be issued with Automated Teller Machines (ATM) cards, for cash withdrawal, payment of import duty, and clearance of cargoes from the ports.

The group's President explained that the project will go a long way in checkmating government agencies that are playing lip services in the fight against corruption at the ports.

He however warned his members to comply with all rules and regulation guiding the importation and exportation of goods adding that it is only when the right is done that the association can take up any issue of injustice and unfair treatment against its members. He was of the opinion that every body knows about the problem of corruption in the ports but nobody wants to address it.

'The DDC concept for cargo clearance will further streamline and enhance cargo delivery and reduce the issue of sharp practices in the entire process.

'It is our hope and prayers that other stakeholders allows the project to work because I do know that some unscrupulous agents of government will want to frustrate it'. He added.

Although, Shittu was silent on the cost of the DDC machines, they will deployed  to every ports across the country before the end of the year.