Chairman of the Couva-Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce Liaquat Ali says the group has received complaints from businessmen that slow operations at Container Examination Section (CES) of the Port of Point Lisas is causing them to suffer losses due to delays and storage fees.
The issue was the focus of a meeting between the members of the business group, Plipdeco president Ashley Taylor and Glenn Singh, the acting Comptroller of Customs and Excise at Couva yesterday. Chamber members are asking for a waiver in terms of the number of days goods can stay on the port without additional charges being added.
Ali said while goods can stay on the port for five days, because of all the delays this is not enough as delays are being created by issues arising from both Customs and Plipdeco.
He said businessmen preferred an older system where paperwork was processed before the vessel arrived. Under the current system paperwork is processed only after the vessel arrives causing unnecessary delays.
"One of the major issues causing delays at the port is the use of scanners. Mr Singh gave us the assurance that scanners will be in operation by the end of July," Ali said.
Two portable scanners will be stationed at the CES and Ali said he expects this will being about a reduction in delays.