The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col Hameed Ali has urged members of the Association of Nigeria License Customs Agents (ANLCA) to urge importers to desist from importation of hard drugs, especially Tramadol.
Ali stated this at the official swearing-in and Send forth ceremony of Tony Iju Nwabunike and Prince Olayiwola Shittu at the weekend.
The CGC who was represented by the Coordinator Zone 'A' of Customs, ACG Dahiru Aminu urged ANLCA members to stop rendering their services to importers of Tramadol drugs, saying that many young Nigerians are being destroyed by its addiction.
Ali also charged the new ANLCA President, Tony Nwabunike to use his new position to find a lasting solution to under declaration of cargo, falsification of documents and other vices usually perpetrated by clearing agents.
Also speaking at the event, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba Land, Gani Adams appealed to the Customs boss to reduce tariff on imported cargoes.
According to him, most Nigerians all over the world go through pains to save money sometimes for two years in order to import a single vehicle. "At the end of the day, they are usually frustrated by high customs tariff.
"Most of our people abroad are now looking forward to us rendering assistance to them in the diaspora, instead of the other way round" he said.
In his welcome address, Chairman Board of Trustees of ANLCA, Henry Njokwu commended outgoing ANLCA President, Prince Shittu and his team for a job well done. According to him this is the first time in many years that ANLCA is having a smooth and successful transition without rancor or I'll feelings.
He urged Tony Nwabunike to always be guided by the dictates of ANLCA constitution.
"It is my advice that you borrow a leaf from the immediate National Executive who thought wise in organizing leadership training sessions nationally and internationally for effective articulation of policies and widening of scope of knowledge for greater achievement of purpose.
Board of Trustee of our Great Association will always support you to achieve all desired goals"
In his farewell speech, Prince Shittu appreciated all members of ANLCA for giving him support in the last eight years.
He urged members who lost out in the recently conducted elections to accept the will of the majority and allow the association to move on.
In his acceptance speech, Nwabunike assured that his administration would work with members of ANLCA, urging them to adopt the spirit of no Victor no vanquish.
He also said the new administration under his watch will work to assist Government in reducing Administrative bottle necks in the maritime sector, in support of its efforts to improve the ease of doing Business in Nigeria.
"We will also work with Government in eliminating the duplication of its agencies and the harmonization of charges at the ports, the reduction of excessive taxes and charges, the reduction of automobile tariffs, and the reduction of Port congestion by including border posts for clearing of automobiles and the total elimination of foreigners and unlicensed Personnel into our profession"
Other promises he made to his members included; providing a Pension Scheme for retirees and different classes of Insurance for members.
He said his administration "will embark on the Development of a befitting Customs Brokers Village with State of the Art Training Facilities.
Ancillary services such as Conference centre, Medical Clinic and a Hotel in the facility will ensure that National and International trainings can be hosted in the village"
"Professionalism will form the overall bedrock and focus of my tenure. One of the main thrust of my Administration is to work for the Registration; and conferment of the status of a “Chartered Institute of Customs Brokers". This will enable us develop Certification for all our members to improve service delivery"
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