The Customs Area Controller of Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Oluwadare Oshoba, has assured port users and stakeholders that trade processes at Nigeria’s busiest port are set to become faster, safer, and more transparent with the installation of brand-new fixed cargo scanners.
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Speaking after inspecting the site for the installation of three high-capacity scanners, Oshoba revealed that the equipment will be able to examine up to 200 containers per hour, a development he described as a game-changer for port operations.
He explained that the scanners, strategically located near the berthing area, will ensure non-intrusive, high-tech inspections of consignments—leaving no room for concealment or false declarations.
“This is a milestone for us at Apapa. With these scanners, no consignment will escape proper checks. We are fully prepared to deliver faster clearance, greater efficiency, and stronger security,” Comptroller Oshoba said.
The CAC expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his commitment to the ongoing modernisation of the Nigerian Customs Service. He disclosed that officers will soon undergo ‘train-the-trainer’ sessions to ensure smooth deployment, while ICT teams will also receive specialised training in first- and second-level maintenance of the new scanners—the first of their kind in West and Central Africa.
Oshoba urged importers, exporters, and their agents to embrace transparency in their documentation, stressing that false declarations and concealment will easily be uncovered by the advanced technology.
The project is being delivered in partnership with the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP), which confirmed that the installation will take 45 days. According to Oshoba, two scanners are being provided by TMP, while APM Terminals is supplying an additional one, ensuring there is no downtime in cargo examination. APM Terminals has also pledged to provide a mobile scanner as backup.
“The successful installation of these scanners will save time, boost revenue, strengthen national security, encourage trade, and reduce port-related crimes,” the CAC added.
On his part, Aliyu Suleiman, Team Leader of TMP at the site, explained that the scanners are the NUCTECH FS6000 model, equipped with dual-energy X-ray technology capable of inspecting trucks and containers in motion at speeds of up to 15 km/h. The system delivers high-quality images to detect contraband and hazardous materials while seamlessly integrating with tools like License Plate Recognition (LPR) and RFID.
