ANLCA Accuses Customs Of Using PAAR To Extort Its Members

Even though it had initially stood by the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service; Alhaji Dikko Abdulahi Inde over the implementation of the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) yesterday picked holes in the implementation of the scheme.

At an enlarged meeting of the association in Lagos, ANLCA accused Customs of telling lies to stakeholders over PAAR and that it was only using the tool to extort licensed customs agents. Members of ANLCA at the meeting took turns to lament the challenges on PAAR, especially as it concerns the quantity and value of cargoes.

The association condemned the incessant querying of cargoes by Customs Investigation Unit (CIU) based on low value, as well as inflation of values payable on consignments at various commands, saying that this is highly criminal.

The association demanded that the Customs management should publish data value of all cargoes on the internet in order to make it accessible for all freight forwarders.

In his opening address, National President of ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu noted that his association had stood beside the customs for nine months in the implementation of PAAR irrespective of those who criticized it for pecuniary interests.

Shittu however said that presently, the nerves of his members are already stretched thin and that ANLCA is ready to step on toes unless the right thing is done.

"Haven done this for nine months, this is the time to re-appraise PAAR, get our acts together, put down our observation and conclusions and make sure it goes to the right channel for a review if need be" Shittu said.

In his summation, Coordinator, Board of Trustees of ANLCA, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha condemned the payment of 25 per cent penalty on every PAAR document that is queried by the customs.

He advised that the customs should stop the blocking of cargo manifest one hour after it was keyed into the customs system.

On his part, former Chairman of Tin Can Chapter, Dr. Farinto Kayode argued that the Customs PAAR is a final document as far as value of cargo is concerned. According to him, customs can only query PAAR based on quantity.

He condemned the re-routing of PAAR document by customs officers to the tune of N30,000 as it is being done presently.

"The CGC has said that PAAR is a final document, but we understand that PAAR is now being re-routed to the tune of N30,000 and our members are suffering" Farinto said.

"If there is no discrepancy in quantity, nobody has the right to query PAAR, the CGC cannot be everywhere, but there are some officers trying to sabotage his efforts"

"PAAR can be queried based on quantity or wrong declaration, but it cannot be queried based on value, whoever is doing that is a criminal" he added.

On his part, a member of the board of the association; Chief Taiye Oyeniyi alleged that it is unfortunate that the customs is using PAAR against ANLCA members after the association had fought for it.

He advised that all queries on the value of a PAAR should be trashed out at command levels.

National President of ANLCA, Prince Shittu subsequently set up a committee to collate the position of the association on the challenges of PAAR and other operational challenges in the port.

The committee to investigate the challenges and articulate the stand of the association is headed by Chief Dayo Azeez. Members of the committee comprises ANLCA National Secretary, Emmanuel Okpara Ogu, former chairman Tin Can, Kayode Farinto and the legal adviser of the association; Barrister Chekube Osonwa.