The Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service, Aminu Dahiru has debunked reports that he was begging terminal operators to provide scanning machines for customs to operate at nation’s seaports.
Addressing journalists at the end of a closed door meeting with national executives of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) during his courtesy at the ANLCA National Secretariat in Festac Lagos on Tuesday, Dahiru said he was quoted out of context.
It was widely reported last week that the customs boss had appealed to terminal operators to provide scanning machines for Nigerian ports. The ACG sited a case study at the airport where the scanning machines were provided by concessionaires.
Dahiru had made the statement last week when he visited the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) in Apapa.
Speaking at the end of the closed door meeting, Dahiru said the motive behind his visit was to strengthen the existing relationship between customs and the licensed customs agents.
"On the statement on scanning machines, that was not what I said, what I said was that I don't know whose responsibility it was to provide scanning machines, this was what I said"
"This visit is that customs and brokers are partners in progress and we have come to re-establish the relationship that has been there for long, we appeal to them to do what is right so that we would all be beneficial to it"
"The new leadership of ANLCA came in sometime this year, so we felt that there is need for us to be here to see them and appreciate their contribution to us"
On his part, National President of ANLCA; Mr Tony Nwabunike expressed confidence in the ability of the customs boss to implement and look into complaints raised by the association.
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