Clearing agents tackle Customs over forced COVID-19 vaccination

Clearing agents operating at the Apapa port have protested against the Apapa Customs’ command directive mandating them and other port users to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination to access its premises.

The command had on Wednesday turned back unvaccinated persons including its personnel and clearing agents from its premises in Apapa.

Many agents and port users without the COVID-19 cards were prevented from accessing the command in compliance with a directive issued by the Customs management that no persons including officers that had not taken the COVID -19 vaccine would be allowed into the Customs premises from Wednesday January 12, 2022.

Some clearing agents who spoke to Maritime Today Online correspondent on the development at the command last weekend criticised the NCS for not consulting with them before enforcing the directive, which they said has not only distorted their business plans but also affected cargo clearance operations.

One of the clearing agents, Yusuf Apena said the command ought to have carried out sensitization before enforcing the directive as many persons are still doubtful of the COVID -19 vaccine.

“The notice is just too short because it was posted at the gate on Monday. Some people till date are not convinced that they have to get the COVID-19 vaccine. So, there ought to have been some sort of sensitization on the part of Customs before enforcing this directive. Personally, it is not as if I don’t want to get the vaccine but I am still sceptical about it because of the different news we hear about the reaction of the vaccine.

“The directive is also affecting our operation because cargo clearance is all about time. We have jobs at hand but we cannot go in. For example, a job that you ought to have done yesterday but you could not because of the Customs restriction, yet the terminal operators and the shipping companies will collect their demurrage,” he said.

Another clearing agent, Mukaila Ishola appealed to the command to extend the deadline to enable them get their vaccination, noting that some persons because of the restriction may resort to forge COVID-19 vaccine certificates just to gain access.

“We want them to extend the deadline so that we can prepare ourselves to get the vaccine. Personally, I am also not convinced enough on the need to get the vaccine. And if you push people to the wall because of this restriction so many people will begin to forge the COVID-19 certificate. We hope they extend the deadline and educate people enough because so many people are not convinced to take the vaccine,” he said.