Nigeria Customs Commends Freight Forwarders

LUCKY LAWAL

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS Zone A’ Command Lagos, has commended the National Association of Government Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, as the major stakeholder in the import and export processes which made them heavy contributors to the enviable revenue collection profile of the Service.

This was said by the Comptroller General of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), duly represented by the Assistant Comptroller General of Custom, ACG and Zonal Cordinator in charge of Zone ‘A’  Headquarters, Mrs. K.C Ekekezie, during a courtesy call at the NAGAFF headquarters in Lagos on 13th June, 2019.

The ACG, who also made a declaration of a whooping N5.5 billion on daily basis from duties and taxes, gave credence to the compliance of the freight forwarders, officers and men of the Service.

She further talked about the Customs services improved ICT-Driving processes which have been established to make business easy at the Apapa port.

According to her, “The Nigeria Customs Service being aware of the important role it plays at these points, has made significant improvement in its operation through the development of improved ICT-Driving processes to facilitate genuine trade and help reduce the cost of doing business coupled with adequate training of its personnel.

In terms of security, she said, “Our Enforcement Units are well equipped to secure lives and properties and ensure compliance. The Service according to her has also always played the role of an arbiter between the Freight Forwarders  and other paratatals.

She noted that the functions of the Nigeria Customs Service would not be complete without the collaboration efforts of the freight forwarders.

According to her, “The role of the Freight Forwarders as the “middle man” of the Nigeria Customs Service and Traders (Consignees) cannot be over emphasized.

The ACG who also recognized the important role of the freight forwarders as being the ones who relay the Government Fiscal Policies to the traders as received from the NCS, the ones interpreting the Laws and Rules guiding both the importation and clearance of the goods to most of the Consignees that they represent and conclusion that the freight forwarders are indeed “Point of Articulation” in the business of Trade and Revenue Generation.

She commended also their compliance level which is evident in the continued rise of the daily revenue generation and its first hit of N1trillion in December, 2017.
“What Customs made before was not up to that but it was possible with due compliance to import and export regulations, processes and procedures, proper documentations and correct description of items imported and exported for Customs purposes. We will achieve higher goals together with you” she said.

“To consolidate on the good work to achieve this, we must adhere to all extent regulations as provided by the Government and this will not be a problem when we put mechanism in place. This will lead to improved national economic system. We must avoid cutting corners and encourage integrity in all levels of the business.

Speaking further, Ekekezie maintained that there is a new regime of discipline in the Service which has led to torrent of officers being sacked in recent times.

She said, “In Nigeria Customs today, several officers are finding their ways out each time we go for management meetings. Officers are being deranked or dismissed.

Reacting to complaints from freight forwarders, she stated that artificial delay in cargo clearance from the port would no longer be condoned by the Service. She therefore called on freight forwarders whose cargoes are unnecessarily delayed to report such to the zone for immediate action.

Present at the event were DC Dera Nnadi, CAC AA Mohammed, DC MN Musa , CAC A.O Adetoye, DC B Bello, ACG Mrs K.C Ekekezie, Dr. Aniebonam Founder NAGAFF, Mr. Simeon Nwonu DNP Nagaff, Prince Obum Anene DNP Seaport and Prince I.G Nwachukwu Chairman T.F.