The Tin-Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it is ready to take over destination inspection scheme in July.

Mr. Chris Osunkwo, its Public Relations Officer, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos yesterday that the command was prepared to take over the scheme.

"Our officers are ready because they have been trained and retrained by the service providers. As at today, we have another training on the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report which is to replace the Risk Assessment Report under the destination inspection project," he said.

Osunkwo said the command had entered into an agreement with terminal operators to provide trucks to convey containers for inspection.

He said that the arrangement would ease congestion at the port.

"Most agents usually bring trucks that break down, causing congestion and delay. Once an agent pays the terminal operator and indicates that his container has been selected for inspection, the terminal operator will provide the truck and convey it to where it will be scanned," he said.

He said that no agent would be allowed to dictate to the Customs how his container should be examined.

"An agent cannot say that he prefers physical examination. It is the ASYCUDA system that determines the channel where the container is taken through for examination. A scanner can scan about 150 containers in eight working hours. Can anybody examine 150 containers in eight hours? (NAN)