Freight Agent Cautions Customs Over N12Trillion Revenue Target , Harps On Trade Facilitation
A stalwart of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Stanley Ezenga as cautioned management of the Nigeria Customs Service to prioritize trade facilitation as part of efforts to sustain shipping activities centred on imports.
Ezenga , a former National Publicity Relations Officer of NAGAFF disclosed this during a chat with DAILY FOCUS NIGERIA.
The freight forwarder who spoke against the backdrop of the recent revenue target set aside by the federal government for the service, explained that importation of cargoes have continued to drop but customs tariff collection continued to soar.
fwdr . Stanley Ezenga, NAGAFF Chieftain
Describing the situation as misnomer , the NAGAFF chieftain lamented that the situation on tariff hike will continue to soar and will also render freight agents jobless in the country, pointing out that price of commodities in the local market will skyrocket.
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According to him, the N12 trillion revenue target set aside for the service for 2025 is a clear indications that importers will have to pay more for fewer consignments.
He lamented that revenue in Nigeria is paramount to the service than trade facilitation adding that over taxation will loom in the coming weeks.
Ezenga called on the Comptroller General of Customs to promote the various tools of trade facilitation e g B’Odogwu scheme, which he described as the primary duty of the service.
He reiterated that the volume of imports are decreasing while revenue collection by the customs is increasing, stressing that the humongous monies generated by the service will continue to pose serious threat for shippers and the nation’s economy.
He lamented that the CG of customs has not done so much in terms of trade facilitation but added that revenue generation was key for the government.
Asked about the N12 trillion target, the freight forwarder however predicted that the service will surpass the year’s revenue target .