The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has said that the Nigeria Customs Service had granted its members its (customs) operating license urging members to take advantage of the development to secure compliance in cargo clearance out of the customs ports and approved borders stations.
The Chairman Board of Trustees of NAGAFF, Mr. Chidiebere Enelamah who disclosed this in a press release he issued in Lagos recently, a copy of which was made available to Primetime Reporters, said that the development was part of the efforts NAGAFF and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) were making to bring about professionalism and best practices in the Customs ports and freight forwarding profession in Nigeria.
Enelamah noted that NAGAFF intended to enter into strategic alliance with the Nigeria Customs as part of its efforts and contribution to blocking all loose ends leading to revenue leakages saying that it was the association’s advise that its sister associations should start thinking in the area of consolidation of practices with a view to helping the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government in anti-corruption crusade.
The release read in part,” Over time, we have told our sister associations that the time has come for
consolidation and unique approach to freight forwarding practice as a profession. We intend to enter into strategic alliance with the Nigeria Customs as part of our efforts and contribution to blocking all loose ends leading to revenue leakages. It is our advise that our sister association should start thinking in the area of consolidation of practices with a view to helping the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government in anti-corruption crusade.
“A reasonable window approach to licensing regulation of the Customs may be part of the new effort to block areas of revenue leakages in the Customs operations and freight forwarding business. The point being canvassed is that there should be a situation wherein most of the operating licenses of the Customs may be revoked to give way for professionalism, best practices and consolidation. We advise ANLCA, ARFFN, NAFFAC and NCMDLCA to start thinking of consolidation of practices among members.
“At this point, may we encourage Mr. President to reject the alleged letter written by the Comptroller General of Customs to retire from the Service. It is to our knowledge that the CGC is a civil servant who has 35yrs in Service or 60 years of age before he can retire. The idea of him saying that he wants to give way to others after 6 years as the CGC, may not be unconnected with unfounded blackmail and self pride as a Prince of Katsina.
“In any case, the mandatory tenureship in Nigeria is 8 years maximum for responsible positions. We sincerely believe that Dikko led administration shall conclude Customs reforms in the next two years.
Added to the above stated are the CEMA Review, 2004 proposed restructuring review and licensing regulation of agents, all these and many more we believe Dikko led management team are better positioned to address before its exit”.
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