Association Urges Security Agencies To Address Corruption Along Trade Border Routes

President, National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS), Mr Ken Ukaoha, said corruption along trade border routes in the country needed to be addressed to eliminate some trade barriers.
Ukaoha said in Abuja that relevant agencies must collaborate to address the danger of border crime.
“The corruption along trade routes needs to be addressed because there are  unnecessary trade barriers created by non-transparent, burdensome rules and procedures constituted vulnerabilities, thereby breeding corrupt behaviour.
“Similarly, unnecessary delays in movement of goods continue to increase the burden of losses to operators, consumers, as well as diminish revenue to government coffers while increasing the cost of doing business,’’ he said.
Ukaoha cited the FRSC Corps Marshal who had set up intelligence units at the borders to address and educate members on dangers of border crime.
According to him, other relevant government agencies have promised to discipline any of their members involved in border crime.
Ukaoha said that cross border trade was key to economic recovery and revenue generation.
According to him, the association had held dialogue with relevant agencies to reduce crime at the border and strengthen integrity of border controls.
He said the dialogue was also to strengthen customs administration and strike a balance between security of lives and property and free movement of goods.
Ukaoha said the dialogue was to proffer practical recommendations toward facilitating free trade and to reduce corrupt practices.
According to him, traders, clearing agents and transporters on their part were not honest in their practice.
He explained that over-invoicing, under-declaration of goods, false declaration, illegal importation, trade vices such as smuggling, trafficking either in human or small arms as well as drug peddling were perpetuated daily along trade routes.
Ukaoha said “sometimes, the actors lure government agencies into unholy collaboration that tends to swindle government of potential or impending revenue.
“Some goods categorised as arms are sometimes allowed in with the collaboration of officials and the country continues to bleed with insecurity, among other negative vices,’’ he said.
According to him, there is need to examine the practice of every actor, to send appropriate messages to appropriate quarters.