The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has backed the Federal Government over the closure of the nation's land borders, even as it said that many unwholesome products from neighboring counties find their way in Nigeria through smuggling.
The association said that the neighbouring country with less than 12 million citizens is the 5th largest importer of rice and used cars in the world.
The association which said this in a statement signed by its founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam last week in Lagos, however urged Nigerians to exercise some patience with the government.
It said: "And for the avoidance of doubts, it’s alleged that a neighbouring country with less than 12 million population is the 5th largest importer of rice, used cars and used clothing’s in the world"
"Regrettably, these unwholesome products well over 98.2% of it finds its way into Nigeria through smuggling without any payment of Customs duty etc"
"Sadly enough that happens at a point they have collected their dues and taxes. Indeed the whole of these are merely adding zero value to the Nigeria economy"
"It is for this reason, that the Association has thrown its weight behind the closure of the land borders to check different forms of criminal activities at the entry points of Nigeria"
Explaining further, he said there is no agreement forbidding any country from stopping unauthorized goods from entering its domain.
"To us at NAGAFF, there is no any trade agreement or international treaty that forbids a country from blocking unauthorized goods or services and persons from entering its domain, especially when such is hurting the economy and security of its people"
According to Aniebonam, "NAGAFF supports any legal and legitimate measure taken by the government and the Nigeria Customs Service to shut down the borders against impunity or illegal trade"
"Accordingly we urge Nigerians to exercise patient and to make necessary sacrifice while Government addresses the situation for the good of our country"
NAGAFF therefore calls on neighbouring countries to be responsible neighbours by not allowing their territories to be used for anything against the interest of Nigeria.
"They should also respect our laws and regulations concerning trade. It advised the Nigerian Government, while engaging our neighbours with regards to free passage of goods and services in line with ECOWAS protocols, the government should ensure that all imports into Nigeria, except baggage transactions, are containerised"
"To the best of our knowledge, no law is against carriage of goods in containers through the approved land borders.
However, it is also important that we examine our system internally, especially our policies on trade"
The association however urged the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Col. Hammed Ali (Rtd) to extend the amnesty granted vehicles to other goods detained or subject of detention on humanitarian ground.
According to Aniebonam the appeal is sequel to CIRCULAR NO. HQ/005/2019 of October 15, 2019 on Detention and Seizure of Vehicles granted waiver which says, "All vehicles detained or subject to detention should be allowed to pay correct and complete Customs duty and penalty while others would be subjected to the full application of the provisions of Section 167 of the CEMA Cap C45 LFN 2004.
While commending the CGC and his management for the amnesty granted the first category of defaulters, a move which he according to him, will further promote international trade he however urged the CGC to further consult with the Minister of Finance to grant other categories the same amnesty of light penalty of paying the correct and complete Customs duty with 25% penalty surcharge other than the standard or normal N600,000 in default.
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