16 February 2015, Lagos – The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has concluded plans to fix Closed-circuit Television (CCTV) in the terminals as part of the efforts to monitor movement of containers in the ports.
The first phase of the project, which is a major security measure is to begin at the second gate of the Tin Can Island port terminal, which is under the Tin Can Island Container Limited as the concessionaire.
When put in place, Customs officials in the area would be able to see what happens to every container in the terminal through constant monitoring with the CCTV.
Customs Controller, Tin Can Island Port, Alhaji Jibrin Zakare who confirmed the measure said it is being introduced to monitor cargos in the terminals.
However, it was gathered that some officials of the terminal who are opposed to the idea have asked the Customs Command to write officially to the company for approval.
But the Controller said the Command would not write the terminal operator for approval but simply to inform them of the plan.
According to him, the Customs is empowered by Section 11 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) in the move to introduce CCTV at the terminal, adding that the terminal operator cannot stop a security measure being introduced by the Service.
It was further gathered that the Command is expected to send the letter to the terminal operator this week when the installation of the CCTV is also expected to begin.
Many stakeholders believe that the installation of CCTV is coming at a good time considering the insecurity in the country.
They also posited the measure should be introduced in all other commands throughout the country.
Meanwhile, the Tin Can Island Command recorded N284billion last year as against N240 billion in 2013.
The Command also recorded N21 billion in January, a development that is attributed to the preparations for the election which affected business at the ports.
– This Day
