Stakeholders in the maritime industry have decried clandestine operations still being carried out by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) in and around Lagos ports even after the recent dissolution of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Strike Force Team by the acting Comptroller General of Customs; Adewale Adeniyi.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that the Acting CGC approved the immediate dissolution of the Strike Force Teams. The development was officially announced through a circular dated 17th June mandating all officers previously assigned to the Strike Force Teams to return to their respective Area Commands or Units from which they were drawn.
However, investigations carried out by Shipping Position Daily last week revealed that operatives of the Strike Force have left the various checkpoints in Lagos.
Our correspondent confirmed that operatives of the team were no longer seen at their usual checkpoints located at Mile Two, Ijora Olopa under bridge, and SIFAX roundabout.
Some stakeholders who spoke with our correspondent alleged that the absence of the Strike Force operatives from the checkpoints has not eradicated the sharp practices and extortion. They alleged that the team still carries out clandestine operations, particularly at the Lagos ports. Some also noted that operatives of the Customs Federal Operation Units (FOU) still carry out the same illegal deals.
Speaking with our correspondent last week, the National Public Relations Officer of the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN), Taiwo Fatomilola, confirmed that the Strike Force operatives are no longer on the road.
Fatomilola however alleged that the Strike Force still technically operates in the port, and that they still collect money from clearing agents to avoid issues with the clearance of their consignments. He further explained that the money they pay to all Customs intervention units, including Strike Force, has not been reduced despite the dissolution of their activities.
In his words: “It was only the strike force that they withdrew. The Customs Compliance Team and Federal Operations Units are still on the road. Nigeria is a very funny place. The CGC Strike Force is not on the road, but they are still collecting their money because if you don’t give them, you will be shocked that your consignments will have problems.”
“They are not on the road, but they send their money to them. It is part of the money we pay for booking. The money we pay for booking for FOU, Strike Force, and the rest have not reduced. They are not on the road, but technically they are still there because you will have to send their money to them,” he alleged.
On his part, the Secretary-General of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) Sani Bala Muhammed told our correspondent that the dissolution of the Strike Force Team has created some sanity and ease to the port access roads.
Muhammed stressed that if the tempo is sustained, it will reduce the rate of incessant impounding of trucks, and importers will be able to get their consignments as at when due without any form of extortion or delay.
“It will reduce the rate at which our trucks are being impounded by most of these Strike Force operatives. There are over 200 of our trucks right now scattered across various formations for carrying goods that were said to be contraband or when the duties are not properly paid. It is not our fault. We don’t know what is inside the container. We were only asked to come and carry the consignment.
“If this is sustained, it will also facilitate trade. At least importers will be able to get their consignments as at when due, instead of extorting and delaying the goods unnecessarily. All these anti-trade facilitation will be reduced to the barest minimum with the absence of the CGC Strike Force on the highways,” Muhammed said.
Also speaking, Western Zone Secretary of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Stanley Ezenga noted that on the week the announcement of the dissolution was made, the operatives of the CGC Strike Force, who were supposed to leave those illegal checkpoints with immediate effect, still waited till the end of the week to make their last ‘cash-out’.
Ezenga also confirmed that the Strike Force operatives are no longer at those checkpoints. While calling on the CGC to ensure the momentum is sustained, even as he commended him for the dissolution adding that it was a step in the right direction.
