Francis Omotosho (Acting Secretary General, NAGAFF)
The Nigeria Customs Service has been operating as an autonomous agency that has the final say. They behave like they have powers more than the World Customs Organization, not to even talk of the Minister of Finance in Nigeria. There are so many clauses sited in that bill that are giving many powers to the Customs which is not done in other parts of the world. Until the Customs realizes who they are and their limitations, the bill may not scale through. The Nigeria Customs Service should redress their actions and correct the flaws. They should also allow the stakeholders particularly the freight forwarders and Customs brokers to make much input. The Customs should have a rethink.
Frank Obiekezie (National Secretary, AREFFN)
I think the Ministry of Finance is trying to assert that the Customs are under them and Customs must carry them along in the amendment of the CEMA bill. We noticed that there were lots of misunderstandings between the Customs and the Finance Ministry the last time we had a meeting. It was expected that the Ministry of Finance would go back and pull their weight. In the bill, many clauses were offensive and there were too many powers given to the Customs. At the public hearing, it was like the Chairman already had it planned but there were lots of bombardment from every angle, but he was bent on implementing whatever the consultant has done for them. So the rejection did not come to me as a surprise. If they are not on the same page with the ministry of finance, there is no way the President will sign the bill. That bill would have made Customs dictators in the port. I am happy that the President turned it down.
Humphrey Okwuosa (Apapa Chapter Secretary, NCMDLCA)
The rejection of that bill is the best thing that can happen to the maritime industry and the Ministry of Finance. Customs have been under the Ministry of Finance all over the world, so they cannot go against the treaty of World Trade Organization and Kyoto Convention in Japan. It is not possible. The Customs want to have a ministry on their own which is not obtainable anywhere in the world.
Dr. Segun Musa (Deputy National President, Air and Logistics, NAGAFF)
This is not the first time I would criticize this CEMA. The content of the CEMA does not represent National interests. It only represented the self-interests of people who want to benefit from the Service. It is a document of anti-human right and fraud. Such a document does not represent our interest. It is anti-trade facilitation and anti-ease of doing business. Such a document must be subjected to public debate instead of just drafting it and getting some few stakeholders to give their endorsement to it. Nobody should pray for such a document to see the light of the day. This is not the first time it would be condemned by the Presidency. During the time of President Goodluck Jonathan the same thing happened and it was dropped into the threading machine immediately. I appreciate the Presidency for taking time to study the document and taking the right proactive step by rejecting it.
Innocent Elum (BoT Secretary, AREFFN)
The bill was sent to us for input before it went to the National Assembly for final legislation. We did point out those areas that are offensive to our practice. One of them is that we cannot take any Customs officer to court until a lot of things have been done and in some areas you cannot even take them to court, no matter what he does. Our observations were not taken into consideration before they were taken to the National Assembly. The bill is good in its intentions, but those offensive areas should be worked upon before it can serve the interest it seeks to protect. I am happy that it was rejected.
Festus Ukwu (National Secretary, NCMDLCA)
The freight forwarders were not even carried along in the amendment of the bill. Although we sent some input regarding some of the clauses. The offensive clauses are probably the ones that will favour the government. I am happy that the bill was rejected. They should make it public and there should be a public hearing for the amendment. Why is it done secretly? I believe the rejection is in our own favour. I support it.
Alex Nwokedi (AREFFN Chairman, Committee on Customs)
As far as I know, there were some clauses in the CEMA that were obsolete in relation to port activities and trade facilitation, hence it needs to be amended. However, there are so many clauses contained in the amendment bill that are not in line with the present realities of trade. As far as I am concerned, it is unfortunate. This is part of the bad system we are talking about. As a freight forwarder, I am of the opinion that this is the right time to make some adjustments to the offensive clauses. The CEMA is a very important document of the government that guides Customs operations and should not be taken lightly.
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