The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has called on management of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to engage relevant authorities of the government to review the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) in furtherance to encourage smooth trade facilitation and revenue generation.
National President of ANLCA, Mr. Emenike Nwokeoji made the plea on Tuesday in Lagos , when he led members and executives to the Customs Area Controller, Tin Can Island Command Comptroller Dera Nnadi.
Nwokeoji also called on the service high command to look inward for a downward review of the National Automotive Council (NAC) levy to enable younger freight forwarders and customs brokers remain in business.
The ANLCA President reiterated that the new CEMA act is unrealistic for practitioners to remain in business , stressing that the research department of ANLCA is still carrying out it fundings in a bid to engage customs on the need to review the new law.
He called on the area controller to look inward to review the 15 % NAC saying it is inimical for freight forwarders mostly as it affects young agents.
He maintained that the visit to the Area Controller , Tin Can Island Command, was significant saying that Comptroller Nnadi had advised for a peaceful ANLCA elections that brought the new executives to power.
The ANLCA boss expressed optimism that the Area Controller for Tin Can Island Command will delivery in his new assignment calling on him to always contact the association whenever the need arises.
He pledged the association commitment to support the command to achieve and surpass the revenue target adding that “ANLCA will help you to facilitate trade and generate the needed revenue for the government.”
Nwokeoji affirmed that the association will help to eliminate anything that will lead to embarrassment for officers and men of the command praying that the revenue target will be achieved before the end of November.
Some ANLCA members during the visit took turn to ask questions on how to promote trade facilitation and other factors militating against cargo clearance at the port.
Responding , Nnadi promised to meet with the chapter executive members of ANLCA at Tin Can Island Port to brainstorm on the customs act , saying the challenges of paying Debit Note (DN) based on the CEMA act is dicey and freight forwarders should be careful on cargo declaration.
Nnadi said training on the CEMA is a must for freight agents appealing for the guests to ensure honest declaration .
He promised to facilitate trade, while calling on shippers to transfer their consignments to Tin Can Island Port.
He appealed to members of ANLCA to support the command in revenue drive in furtherance to prove his performance and prowess as an Area Controller of Customs.
The controller recalled the robust relationship between ANLCA and customs , stressing that he had worked with most of the controller at Tin Can Island Command as secretary.
While lamenting on target throughput, Nnadi said his redeployment to Tin Can Command is a task that must ensure revenue collection.
The Area Controller maintained that he is familiar with virtually all members of ANLCA present at the meeting, expressing that members of Association can count on him on how to deliver on his new duties.
The Comptroller of Customs described himself as a spare tyre in time past but added that “as at today , I happens to be a driver.”
He described himself as a team player, promising to work closely with the freight forwarding association while describing the current management of customs led by acting CGC Wale Adeniyi as a goal oriented officer.
By Roland Ekama
