Government Agencies Should Extend Palliatives To Journalists – ANLCA President

LUCKY LAWAL

Following the outbreak of the dreaded COVID-19 which led to the lockdown challenges, the National President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agent, ANLCA, has urge Government Agencies to extend their hands of fellowship at this period to the media to aid them perform more credibly.
He commended the media especially the Maritime Media, which has been vibrant in their duties during this period.
ANLCA President, Nwabunike, said this in his report sent to P.M.EXPRESS.
He appreciated all the efforts of the Maritime community for keeping the sector functioning despite the risk and challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and appealed to all the Stakeholders in the Nigeria Maritime industry, Customs Brokers, Freight Forwarders to always follow the right channels of information.
According to him, “I want to assure you all that the leadership of ANLCA will, especially at this period, liaise with all relevant  Government Agencies and other Port Stakeholders to make sure our members do not suffer undue losses in this trying time”.
“I want to also appeal to all my colleagues to always follow the right channels of information so that they are not deprived or short changed by any agency during this period.”

“There is no gain saying that the total lockdown of activities occasioned by Coronavirus pandemic in Lagos State have in no small way affected our lives and businesses. But I urge you all not to despair as this is the price the whole world is paying now to keep both citizens and economies alive.”
“I must say for us in Nigeria and the Maritime Sector, though it has not been easy but it is not too bad” he said.

The ANCLA boss also kept his colleagues abreast with the latest developments in the Maritime Sector.
He said, “The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has asked all Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders who have finalised all payments of duties and ready to  load their cargoes to do so as the Customs will allow exit of such cargoes from the ports during the Public Holidays from  Friday 10th – Monday 13th of April 2020.”
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has issued mandate letters to  Terminal  Operators for  waiver of Rent  Charges for  initial period of 21 days, effective 23rd,  March, 2020.
The letter was dated 2nd April, 2020 and titled RELIEF MEASURES TO PORT USERS DUE TO OUTBREAK OF COVID19.
It reads in part “Following the scourge of Covid19 pandemic and in line with the global trend of providing reliefs to businesses for the benefits of the general populace, you are hereby directed to suspend Rent Charges on Consignments with effect from Monday, 23rd March, 2020 for an initial period of 21 days”.

He advises them to work fast to meet up the deadline of the waver. The ANLCA President also appealed to his colleagues. He said, “And to my colleagues in the profession, I promised you; we will do everything humanly possible to alleviate your sufferings during this period through constructive stakeholders’ engagement with all parties concerned”.
He finally appreciated the efforts of the Federal Government and its agencies operating in the ports for their efforts in making sure businesses move smoothly in our ports during this period.