…Says advocates agents of neo-colonialists
The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has taken a swoop on those canvassing for the return of the pre-shipment inspection scheme at the nation’s seaports describing those behind the call as agents of neo-colonialists.
The National Vice President of ANLCA, Dr. Kayode Farinto who made his position on the matter known in a press release on Sunday said that those behind the clamour for the return of the pre-shipment inspection agents were doing so for pecuniary gain and intended to take them backward.
Farinto recalled that over fifty billion Naira was paid to foreign companies under the guise of charging 1 percent of Free on Board (FOB) Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) adding that they knew Nigerians who made money out of the exercise.
He argued that the re-introduction of the suspended pre-shipment inspection was not the solution to their problem even as he pointed out that there was no scanning machine at the seaports.
According to him, ”The Nigeria Customs Service through her one hundred percent examination of cargo has succeeded in intercepting and confiscating small and medium weapons valued at N1 billion, not to talk of psychotropic drugs and substances such as tramadol. We are all witnesses to the confiscation and destruction of over fourteen billion Naira worth of tramadol by the Nigeria Customs Service few weeks ago.
“Those are clamouring for re-introduction of the pre-shipment inspectors intends taking us back to Egypt that we have left over five years ago. There are actually pitfalls here and there in the Destination Inspection but if the federal government can purchase new modern scanning machines, it will reduce the chances of importation of arms, ammunition and psychotropic drugs/substances.
“The World Customs Organization (WCO) Framework on Trade Facilitation never recommended pre-shipment inspectors as solution to challenges of non-conformist importations. Furthermore, instead of allowing pre-shipment inspectors, the federal government should sponsor a bill to the National Assembly giving the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) 0.5 percent as morale booster in line with Arusha declaration and Kyoto convention. It will allow the Nigeria Customs Service to increase the salaries and remunerations of the officers and men.”
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