Oluyinka Onigbinde
The Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has denied its member who spoke against the multiplicity of alerts received from men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the eastern port, during the visit of the National Executive Committee Members to the eastern port last week.
Shipping Position Daily had reported last week that clearing agents in the eastern flank highlighted some challenges affecting eastern ports, which include multiple alerts from officers of the NCS among many other challenges.
One of the clearing agents who spoke at the meeting lamented that the multiple alerts payment from the NCS is affecting trade, thereby having a great effect on the economy.
Our reporter who was on ground at the event reported that the clearing agent was asked to pen down the multiple alerts from the service, a copy of which was reported by our correspondent.
Shipping Position Daily however gathered that following backlash that men of the customs service at Onne received as a result of the story, the association has denied the claim of multiplicity of alerts at the port
In a WhatsApp message sent to our correspondent, the National secretary of the association Babatunde Mukaila, said: “Surely, whoever passes this information is out to discredit the good professionally driven symbiotic meeting ANLCA headquarters had with the management team of eastern zone custom commands”.
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Also reacting in a press statement, the chairman Onne Chapter of the association, Mike Ebeatu, said that he is not aware of any bribe being given to Customs officials by clearing agents at the port, stating that any agent who does that or allowing himself to be extorted is complicit.
Mike Ebeatu added that, “I have been inundated by some media reports alleging that Nigeria Customs Service officers in Onne Port extort monies or demand bribes from licensed agents to exit consignments.
“As Chapter Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Onne Chapter, this is untrue to the best of our knowledge.
“While we constantly engage the customs for improved operational relationship, the association in Onne Port under my leadership frowns at any form of unlawful dealings like smuggling, under declaration, under valuation and concealment.
“Because our members are constantly sensitized to operate in compliance with the extant import and export prohibition lists, they have no reason to pay bribes, either at the points of examination or at the exit gate.
“We are aware that the giver and taker are liable by law and therefore distance ourselves from such things. Our confidence is rooted in our sincerity of purpose which has been passed to our importers too.
“Without attempting to hold a brief for the NCS, any agent or freight forwarder who admits to paying bribes or allowing himself to be extorted is complicit.
“Our mantra as leaders of the association is compliance, compliance, compliance. And the Acting President, Dr Kayode Farinto in his three- day working visit to the zone laid much emphasis on that at several fora. It is also on record that the compliance level at Onne port is unequivocally at the top. The facts are there”, he said.
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