ABUJA: A coalition of four freight forwarding associations have expressed serious concerns over the slow pace of the new Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali in the face of increasing extortions at the ports.
The four associations include, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders NAGAFF, Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents NCMDLCA, National Association of Freight Forwarders and Consolidators NAFFAC and Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria ARFFN.
The leaders of the associations, Dr. Eugene Nweke of NAGAFF, Mr. Festus Ejiofor of NCMDLCA, Chief C.A.T. Agubama of NAFFAC and Dr. Frank Ukor of ARFFN, who spoke at the weekend, observed that more than two weeks after the new CG resumed, cargo clearing activities at the port should have been at the highest point.
According to the group, more than 35 days after the resignation of the former CG, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko, nothing seems to be happening in the Customs circles at the ports, a development they blamed on the seeming low pace of the new Customs helmsman.
The stakeholders are equally worried that there has been an increase in the level of extortions and other anti-trade practices, which have combined to dampened the morale of the freight forwarders.
“The appointment of the new CG came with lots of expectations by the freight forwarders, which is currently disappearing due to the slow takeoff of the new Comptroller General of Customs Col. Hameed Ali. The Freight Forwarders who are looking forward to be saved from the inexplicable extortions in the ports are getting more disillusioned.
“The expectations have been that by now the CG should have visited the ports and strategic border locations with a view to conferring with the stakeholders”
“To achieve the mandate of reforms, restructuring the service and increasing revenue collection, we expect that the CG should start by meeting with the relevant stakeholders in order to gather first hand information and intelligence that would assist him in this important national assignment”, the group added.
