NAGAFF 100% Compliance Team Denies Intimidation On Customs Officers

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF),  100% Compliance Team has denied any form of intimidation and harassment on officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and other government agencies since inception  of its operations.

 

The Compliance Team also reaffirmed it strong collaboration with some members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) , saying that both association will launch a joint taskforce in 2021

 

 

National Coordinator of the NAGAFF Compliance Team, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko in a chat with journalists on Monday,  in Lagos maintained that the Taskforce has come to stay thus stakeholders must be transparent in port operations.

 

Tanko who frowned at a recent petition written again the Compliance team averred that the NAGAFF unit under his watch has entered into agreement with members of ANLCA to streamline taskforce operations adding that” Since the beginning of the compliance team, we have never confront or attack any customs officer or operative of the government agencies.

 

 

“What we are doing currently is between importers and our members; we are  telling them to do the right thing in the clearance of good.

 

 

“We did not accuse any customs officer of doing anything wrong and I challenge anybody to come out to tell us those officers or personnel of government agencies we have harassed.

 

According to him, the petition written by John Ofobike , a chieftain of ANLCA  and addressed to the Controller,  Apapa Area Command, Nigeria Customs Service was illegal alleging that the person in quest has been suspended from the association.

 

The Ofobike’s letter dated 8th December 2020, highlighted the alleged incessant demand for job favour , intimidation, harassment and blackmail by the 100% Compliance Team of NAGAFF led by the Coordinator .

 

While reacting to the letter to newsmen, Tanko reiterated that the ANLCA stalwart might be dragged to court based on usage of the association’s letter head.

 

Tanko who also doubles as the Vice President, Western Ports stressed that the letter originated by the ex- Chairman of Apapa Chapter of ANLCA, was subjected to ridicule even in the eyes of customs officers.

 

He also noted that the Compliance Team was aimed to ensure that port users do the needful to  acceleration  trade facilitation and faster clearance of cargoes from the ports.

 

By Roland Ekama