Importers under the aegis of Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) and freight forwarders under the aegis of Concerned Accredited Freight Forwarders Association (CAFFA) have alleged that officers of the Nigeria Customs Service aid and abet importation of arms and ammunitions, as well as other dangerous items into Nigeria.
Importers under the aegis of Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) and freight forwarders under the aegis of Concerned Accredited Freight Forwarders Association (CAFFA) have alleged that officers of the Nigeria Customs Service aid and abet importation of arms and ammunitions, as well as other dangerous items into Nigeria.
At a joint press briefing in Lagos yesterday, the importers and freight forwarders after signing a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) alleged that eighty percent of customs officers are clearing agents, even as they called on the new Comptroller General of the Customs Service, Col. Hameed Alli (rtd) to investigate and prosecute such officers.
The group also called on the Nigerian Shippers Council to immediately commence the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) in order to curtail importation of dangerous goods.
President of IMAN, Chief Osita Okereke at a press briefing alleged that customs officers are responsible for the influx of arms into Nigeria, alleging that they are the officers who do not want licensed customs agents to come under the regulation of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN)
He alleged that the customs are frustrating the process of trade facilitation, urging the new Comptroller General of Customs Colonel Hammed Ali (Rtd) to ensure that officers leave the clearing of goods to the freight forwarders.
Okereke recalls that his association had met with the federal government on the need to partner its taskforce on how to address the influx of arms and ammunitions into Nigeria, but that the former Comptroller General of Customs, Inde Dikko Abdullahi had frustrated this effort at that time.
The IMAN boss reiterated the group's commitment to support the Nigerian Shippers' Council in ensuring that CTN succeeds.
"We in support of 100% tracking of containers to be introduced by the Nigerian Shippers Council and we will love to be part and parcel of examination because I can tell you that 80% of customs officers are clearing agents today"
"They are collecting salaries from the government and they are involved in clearing of goods from the ports which I believe will make it difficult”
The IMAN President added that the mission of the Shippers Council must be accomplished in line with the implementation of the CTN saying that “anyone that kicked against the mission should be crucified"
Also speaking at the briefing, President of Association of Registered Freight Forwarder of Nigeria (AREFFN) Dr. Frank Ukor alleged customs officers create most of the problem faced at the ports.
Ukor also alleged that a large number of customs officers are in possession of Association of Nigerian License Customs Agents (ANLCA) operating licenses.
He maintained that ANLCA as a freight forwarding association does not have the highest number of operating license issued by customs.
Meanwhile, CAFFA and IMAN have signed a Memorandum of Understanding even as they entered into strategic business relationship for the collection of Practitioners Operating Fees (POF), as approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Part of the MoU is that "IMAN has today endorsed the collection of POF as approved by the federal government of Nigeria in the interest of businesses of Nigerian importers"
"The Cargo Tracking Note of the Nigerian Shippers Council which at no cost should take off with immediate effect to enhance to enhance the security functions of the government, generate real time information and statistics, revenue collection and trade facilitation in our international trade"
"The SONCAP of SON should be immediately embarked upon by all stakeholders to stem the influx of substandard adulterated and fake products into Nigeria"
The MoU was signed by the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN) National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) and NAFFAC.
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