So far, about 289 boxes have been transported to the new base, for agents or their rightful owners to come over with the necessary documentations for delivery.

Since April 7, 8 and 9, 2017, the process of clearing the Takoradi port of undelivered consignments started for the various consignees to take delivery of their property.

Fresh containers/custom decision

Henceforth, containers arriving fresh on ships and vessels at the harbour will be evacuated straightaway to the TACOTEL, which is about six kilometres off the harbour, without being kept a single day for onward take-over by consignees.

The Terminal Manager of TACOTEL, Mr Richmond Adjei-Appiah, who conducted newsmen round the evacuated goods indicated that contrary to anticipation of traffic disturbance during the process, “Everything went on smoothly last week Monday.”

At the terminal, it was observed that agents and other customers/clients were briskly checking out their containers with the corresponding documents.

Mr Adjei-Appiah said for devanning or unstuffing of containers for inspection at the terminal, it was the express responsibility by officials of the Custom division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

“They take the final decision in respect of devanning or unstuffing of containers that arrive at the terminal. We have also held a stakeholders’ meeting to inform our clients on the new arrangement to come over to the terminal for their consignment,” Mr Adjei-Appiah indicated.

Scan facility

The Terminal Manager indicated, however, that arrangements were being made for the provision of a scan machine for the inspection processes “but until then the authorities will follow the normal procedure of unstuffing.”

He explained that in order to serve customers better, two positioning periods had been set out, where clients would be attended to during day and in the night with the view to facilitate clearing of containers.

According to Mr Adjei-Appiah, unlike other areas where clearing of containers were done only in the night, “Our clients are assured of a quick clearance at the new site; We also have reliable generators to make for any power outages.”

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Container-decongestion-begins-at-Takoradi-Port-529892