Following its deactivation from the operational portal of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) over none-settlement of accumulated assessment debt, the management of Five Star Logistics Terminal is currently undergoing trying times.
The debt is said to be over N97.3 million.
The deactivation was made known on Friday through a press statement made by the acting National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Kayode Farinto.
Theliberationnews reliably gathered that the terminal operator has subjected importers’ valuables to avoidable risk as many of their goods-laden cargoes have remained grounded at the port leading to congestion.
According to Farinto, the umbrella body has, however, issued a 4-day ultimatum to the terminal operator to iron out its issue with the regulatory body or face legal action.
“It has been brought to the notice of the National Executive Committee that our members are unable to exit the already release vehicles and cargoes from the Five Star Logistics due to the fact that the terminal operator has been deactivated from Customs portal as a result of unpaid assessment running into millions of naira. We wish to inform our members that ANLCA is on top of this issue and we are saddened about the development.
“However, we shall be given the terminal operator between now and next week Tuesday to resolve their issue with Nigeria Customs if not, ANLCA will be taking the company to court for breach of agreement and failure to deliver these cargoes to the importers’ representatives. Also, Five Star should know that it will be responsible for all demurrages and storage that may accrue during this period (effective July 6, 2022 to date). Finally, we urge our members to be calm and law-abiding and I want to advise that we keep the receipts of all payments during this period,” the statement read in part.
Commenting on the development, the Public Relations Officer, TinCan Island Command, NCS, Uche Ejesieme added that, “I can authoritatively confirm to you that the service has blocked exit access for Fivestar Logistics Limited, following an investigation that led to the discovery of unpaid assessment to the tune of N97.3m.
“We are hopeful that the company will expedite action in effecting payments so that their officials can go back to business because they are very strategic to us in the trade value chain”
Efforts by Theliberationnews to speak with the Customer Care Manager of Five Star Logistics Terminal, Chuks Okereafor, proved abortive as he declined to comment on the issues.
