The attention of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders -NAGAFF, has been drawn to the above subject matter.
Assertive as it appears, we found the above claims as reported by Ships and Ports Daily Industry Publication quite disturbing, unprovable, sensational, a mockery, an indictment of port reform, an indictment on the customs modernization efforts, in fact it amounts to National bad imaging in relation to our collective quest to a 48 hours cargo clearance and the evolution of e commerce, e-payment, e-transactions within the secularities of our international trade supply chain. Therefore, it is highly unacceptable.
We wish to recall that, sometimes ago, the ICPC in conjunctunction with the duo of Bureau for Public Procurements (BPE) and an Agency of the United Nations reported that 79 signatures are required to release cargo out of the Nigerian Ports.
Then, we challenged the ICPC to publish its collated specimen signatures against a (using a particular importation as example) detailed operational flow, indicating points and mentioning functions where this signatures where endorsed or signed or are required in the course of Cargo clearing processes, starting from Vessel discharge to cargo delivery.
We did also noted that, from our last checks on the appropriate signatures required in the international trade (imports/exports clearance) flow, beginning from the; trade inquiry, opening of form M, Documentations, submission of Manifest, Berthing Meetings / operational clearance process ( from vessel discharge, cargo documentation, examination, Scanning, Regulatory agencies release/endorsements, Customs release, Shipping Company release, Terminal release, Cargo Exiting/Delivery), in the whole of the these notable processes above, a total of 27 signatures was observed, which we did also noted to be considerably high.
We did also observed and cautioned that, the statistical information relating to our ports must be based on an empirical data survey, research and reliable collation and not one based on assumption or mere fictitious or self/group imaginations.
Understandably , though , one appreciates the fact that, the port reform and Customs modernization/ Automation process is one that is anchored on the principles of “graduations process”, this is, in further considerations to the avoidance of stiffening the fluidity of imports clearance processes.
Again, we begin to question the import of this sensational claim, as it has been noted that, most Manufacturers are on the “Customs Fast Track Status”, which makes their imports not to go through the usual clearance rudiments/processes. So the question on our lip is; at what point do the Manufacturers generate or receive such signatures on their imports?
Equally, we had also educated then, that, other than employing the Services of certain inexperienced individuals who will come to the Customs Ports, using their phone cameras to take a photo shots of Customs tables and representatives of regulatory agencies’ tables, assuming them to be a stop check tables for signatures appendage, it is important to reiterate, that, the Port by CEMA is designated as Customs Ports, wherefore Customs officers and agencies of government are provided with office space and Furniture to work with on daily basis.
Their official working tables do not in any way imply that, every single imports passes through the whole tables in the course of cargo clearance.
It is obvious that human contact to cargo still abounds in our Customs Ports environment, but it is rather outrageous and disservice to the nation for any stakeholder to insinuate or propagate that Cargo Clearance out of our ports system requires more than 70 Signatures and therefore is totally unacceptable to us.
However, in the context of propagation for trade facilitation in our international gate ways, without prejudice, what the Manufacturers are not saying but subtly insinuating is that, time to integrate the imports clearance flow in our ports into a single central import clearance warehouse is overdue.
It is important to note that Customs automation results in increased transparency in the assessment of duties and taxes. Customs automation leads to the substantial reduction in Customs Clearance times and predictability, which eventually culminate to direct and indirect savings from both government and the Manufacturers/Traders.
In the light of these, the Nigeria Customs Automation system must have the capacity to provide the most important tool for facilitation of trade procedures devoid of unnecessary interventions and incursions by way of multiple checks and incessant practice of placing alerts in the clearance flow.
It must be also noted that, the higher the level of automation of Customs procedures in any country, the greater the possibility of detailed inspection, detection of fraud and firm actions including prosecution in court.
Another critical aspect to highlight here, which the traders had over time hyped on, is the inadequate robust risk management system enabling discriminatory treatment of importers and exporters on the basis of the risk they pose to loss of revenue or compliance with regulatory requirements. Though this is not to underscore, the existing Customs importer/Exporter profiling mechanism, but there is need for upgrading its robust-fullness.
Unfortunately, the distrust between the Customs and the traders have not helped situations. Larger percentages of the trading public are dishonest in their business dealings and are termed “non compliant importers/exporters”.
While the non compliant importers/exporters continuously chooses to cut corners, Customs enlightenment positions remains that; “One of the ways in which an importer/exporter can minimize the risk of delays is to abide by rules of engagements/adherence to regulatory requirements, so that they can be accommodated in the existing window of Fast Track treatments, that requires compliance for greater disclosure of information, selection interface with the Customs automated system and a requirement for a sound financial positions among possible elements”.
Therefore, issues of “Non Compliance” remains a non willing tool or challenges to be compromised by the Nigeria Customs, which lead to the popular saying amongst Customs: “Give us Compliance and we shall give you trade facilitations”.
Fwdr. Chief (Dr) Eugene Nweke ,Rff ,Fpta,Mnis,Fffa,Mccc.
National president, NAGAFF.
Facilitator/Vice Chairman: Customs Consultative Committee – CCC.
CEO, virtues marine and freight services ltd.
Gbobaniyi of Ilogbo Eremi kingdom.
2a Maybin Street, Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria .
Cell: 08136242266, 08023630299.
Email: eugeneinweke@yahoo.com
