… Seeks bill to stop foreigners from taking over customs agents’ jobs
… As customs accuses agents of obstructing 100% physical examination
The Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has said that the present customs management has taken the entire logistics chains backward even as it said that 70 percent of factors militating against cargo clearance in Nigeria is caused by the Nigeria customs “modus operandi.”
The National Vice President, ANLCA, Dr. Kayode Farinto who made this assertion in a speech he delivered at the National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting of the association held in Lagos yesterday also stated that the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) rating of Nigeria had been very poor since the advent of the Rtd. Col. Hameed Ali’s administration.
Farinto went on to explain that the first criterion used by the World Bank in Logistics Performance Index was the efficiency of the clearing process i.e. speed, simplicity and predictability of formalities by border control agencies particularly the customs.
According to him, the predictability of the Nigeria Customs Service’s processes was lacking.
In his words, “It is very unfortunate that the present customs management team has taken us backwards hence seventy (70) percent of factors militating against cargo clearance is caused by the Nigeria Customs Service modus operandi. We must be truthful in saying that we have never had it so bad.
“The issue of arm twisting of importers and arbitrary Demand Notices, every customs want to challenge your value despite the fact that Valuation Act 20 of 2003 is being flouted with impunity. The incessant alerts have become stumbling block to cargo clearance. The issue of arbitrary duties on vehicles is an eye sore, we now have a situation where all Controllers in the Western Zone extort and exploit customs brokers with impunity, all without recourse to the law or morality.
“Despite that we recommend Ghana system on VIN number and years of manufacture in order that we may have a uniform value on duties across board. We the freight forwarders say enough is enough. Should this continue, we may lose our leadership positions and the situation of ‘End SARS’ in Nigeria is imminent in our ports. We must collectively condemn ‘this customs modus operandi which encourages corrupt tendencies.’ Above all, it is unfortunate that even genuine declarations now suffer at the hands of officers while untrue declarations are encouraged once you are ready to play the ball. The role of multiplicity of customs units in stopping exited cargoes in a commando style made me believe that Nigeria is gradually sliding back into ‘Abacha era’ where illegalities were the order of the day.”
Farinto who is also the Vice Chairman of NEC went to say that the customs brokerage, a segment in the logistics chain which ought to be left for indigenous Nigerians was being threatened courtesy of foreigners’ invasion adding that it was no more news that foreigners had taken over this specialized aspect of the logistics chains under the guise of rendering door-to-door service.
He said, “As we speak now, all project cargoes have been taken over by these foreigners and no government policy seems to be protecting our profession. Maersk line, a shipping line has registered a clearing outfit called Damco Logistics Limited while MSC also has been licensed by the Board of Customs to practice customs brokerage as Medlog Logistics Services Limited. The younger freight forwarders/customs brokers are gradually losing their jobs while the older ones do not have anything doing lately.
“The National Secretary and myself have put up a protest letter to the annual transport summit going on in Kano from the 6th – 7th of September. However, we are of the opinion that we need government protection or better still, an executive bill to emanate from the National Assembly to stop foreigners from taking over our job. If this is successful, we will be producing about three thousand jobs annually for the budding/younger agents.”
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has accused the licensed customs agents of obstructing its officers from conducting 100% physical examination of cargoes at the nation’s seaport.
The National Vice President, ANLCA, Dr. Farinto during his speech at the NEC meeting disclosed that the association had received a letter from the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise in which the management of the NCS was alleging that licensed customs agents were obstructing the officers from carrying out their lawful duties.
In his words, “We received a letter on the above subject matter from the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise where the present management of the Nigeria Customs Service has alleged that members of our association particularly the executives have been obstructing their men from conducting 100% physical examination on cargoes in the ports. I am, hereby, officially informing NEC on this serious allegation and the need to engage the House Committee in order that we may put the records straight and debunk this spurious allegation.
“However, I need to inform and advice our professional colleagues that we should also endeavor to be more patriotic and increase our level of compliance. By doing this, we can have the moral right to challenge any illegality or arm twisting and imposition or spurious Demand Notices.”
Highlight of the NEC meeting was the ratification of pardon granted a suspended member of the association, Evangelist Temitope Akindele who was pardoned last week by the National Executive Committee (NECOM) of the association having written an apology letter to the National President who is also the Chairman of the association’s NEC. Akindele was suspended during the last NEC meeting held in Lagos in June this year for anti-association activities.
Also, the “Amended Supreme Constitution of ANLCA 2020” which was birthed during the last Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association held in Owerri last December was unveiled during the NEC meeting. The amended constitution now recommends a single term for all executive offices in ANLCA.
Photo: Members of the National Executive Council (NEC) of ANLCA shortly after their meeting at the ANLCA National Secretariat in Lagos on Monday.
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