A coalition of four customs agents’ associations has raised alarm that some senior officers of the service have perfected the art of staying-put at lucrative commands for years.
The group also called on the Comptroller General of Customs; Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) to transfer such officers who have spent years in a particular command, especially at the seaports; saying that it will eliminate corruption from the system.
A coalition of four customs agents’ associations has raised alarm that some senior officers of the service have perfected the art of staying-put at lucrative commands for years.
The group also called on the Comptroller General of Customs; Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) to transfer such officers who have spent years in a particular command, especially at the seaports; saying that it will eliminate corruption from the system.
The customs agents under the aegis of Concerned Accredited Freight Forwarding Associations (CAFFA) said that such officers have been perpetuating themselves in one command for years and they have become untouchable.
"The Comptroller General should simply understand that some Customs officers who have been in the seaports by recycling their postings for the past 10 years must have to leave the port arena if he wants to tackle corruption in the Customs ports and border stations. "
In a statement made available to Shipping Position Daily in Lagos, an signed by the presidents of four freight forwarding associations, namely: AREFFN, NAFFAC, NCMDLCA and NAGAFF, the group accused the sit-tight officers of being the brain behind the unbridled bride taking in the ports.
It was signed by President of NAGAFF; Dr. Eugene Nweke, President of NCMDLCA; Chief Festus Ejiofor, NAFFAC President; Chief CAT Agubamah, and AREFFN President;Dr Frank Ukor
On the excesses of the officers, they said: "We must clearly state that we are tired of giving bribes in our profession and the expectation of the freight forwarders may be disappearing for the slow starting of the new Comptroller General of Customs Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd).
“The Freight Forwarders who are looking forward to be saved from the in explicable extortion in the ports, we are getting disillusioned”, they wrote.
The group also advocated that the new CG of Customs should visit all customs commands and formations with a view to interacting with the stakeholders for first-hand information.
“It is dangerous for the Customs boss to gather information from officers alone, stressing that he will be better equipped when stakeholders advise him on issues bothering on customs operations.
"The expectation has been that by now the CGC should have visited the ports and strategic border locations with a view to conferring with the stakeholders.
“If Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd.) continues to confer only with officers, it may be risky to the mandate of Mr. President and anti-corruption crusade.
"At the moment the rate of corruption has increased because of uncertainty and at present it is to grab whatever you can because you do not know what happens next.
"The Comptroller General should hit the ground and be running to maintain the tempo of the anti corruption crusade of Mr. President. "
"If he does not hit ground running on matters of corruption it may appear that Mr. President is not properly briefed about the corruption level in the Nigeria seaports and border locations".
"In the instance, there is the need to bridge the gap between the clearing costs at the seaports, airports and border stations. "
The statement added that, "inherent differential in the cost of clearing goods out of Customs control at Jibiya border, Idiroko and Seme with Onne ports, Apapa and TCIP are so much without realizing that the importers compete in the same market. "
According to it, the expected reforms and restructuring of Customs is to the stakeholders an internal affairs of the Service, adding that interest of stakeholders is to the extent the CGC shall ameliorate the level of extortion, over valuation of imports and the impunity of officers to act to the contrary on Customs laws and regulations.
"The CGC warnings with regard to non-compliance to import regulations on matters of concealment, false declaration and untrue declaration in general have created a huge panic in the Customs operations."
"The implication of the warning from Abuja without visiting the operational areas and recourse to issuance of demand notices over such infractions has created opportunity for the highest level of extortion in the ports. "
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