The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has denied media report alleging that the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd.) had refused to meet with it and its sister association, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) on request.
In a statement signed by the National Chairman, Customs-Agents Relations of NAGAFF, Mr. Ifeanyi Ekemezie disclosed that while it may be possible or not that ANLCA may have requested to meet with the Comptroller-General, NAGAFF had never asked for any meeting with the CGC talk more of being turned down.
Ekemezie therefore hoped that the Publisher of the tabloid (not Primetime Reporters) should retract itself from what he termed falsehood.
According to him,” We regret to make this clarification over the publication of Shipping Position newspaper alleging that the Comptroller General of Customs refused to meet with NAGAFF and ANCLA members on request. It is possible or not that our sister association may have requested to meet with him or not but for NAGAFF.
“We did not request to meet with him and his management team. In due course NAGAFF may make further statement in this regard. Meanwhile, it is our hope that the publisher of Shipping Position newspaper shall graciously and respectfully retract itself from the false hood.
“What is known to NAGAFF is that the Comptroller General of Customs is desirous of meeting with NAGAFF and other sister associations in line with his mandate to facilitate trade and increase revenue earnings of the Nigeria customs service. The founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Aniebonam had this discussion with the CGC and it is expected that the Registrar of CRFFN Sir Mike Jukwe may be putting finishing touches for a wholistic visitation of the critical stakeholders.
“The visit is very important and critical because it is sad to note that corruption is on the increase in the Nigerian ports and approved border stations. We expect the customs to lead in our effort of stemming the tide of avoidable corruption under the circumstance. The ports and approved borders under section 12 of CEMA are customs area.
“Meanwhile the expectation of NAGAFF is that stakeholders and other strategic players must be compliant to import and export regulation. The need for genuine declaration for customs purposes cannot be over-emphasized. The customs on their part must be transparent with their mandate to the constitution and CEMA”, he concluded.
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