A frontline freight forwarders and stalwart, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Fred Ajuzie on Tuesday in Lagos , predicted that the nation’s borders will be fully reopen for international business in the month of November 2023.
In line with ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), Dr. Ajuzie who was recently, appointment by management of NAGAFF as Chairman , Trade Facilitation Committee, expressed optimism of the borders reopening following the confirmation of the Comptroller General of Customs, Mr, Adewale Adeniyi by the president and the potentials of the international frontiers.
Speaking with our correspondent on the development , Ajuzie who was a former Chairman, Apapa Chapter of NAGAFF, noted that the closure has led to job losses, food shortage and loss of revenue of the government , stressing that the opening was long overdue .
He stated that sequel to the hardship faced by Nigerians , lull in cargo throughput and scarcity of foreign exchange, there was the need for the Tinubu administration to act fast this festive period to generate the needed revenue through the border posts.
According to him, high cost of essential commodities should lead to the nation’s borders reopening considering the scarcity of commodities in the market saying that the locally made items are higher in terms of cost against imported goods .
He described the Comptroller of Customs as a core professional who has the capacity to advice and enlighten the government about the benefit and importances of reopening the borders for international trade to thrive.
Ajuzie reiterated that with the reopening of the border posts, the service has the capacity to generate revenue and reduce the cost of food items in the Nigerian markets for the common man to afford cheaper commodities.
He further commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the confirmation of the new Comptroller General of Customs.
“The border reopening is long overdue but I know that the borders will be opened for operations in November because the CG of customs will advice the government to reopen these International frontiers because of the huge benefits associated with trade”.
“I believe that the new CGC will perform very well because he’s a technical person, he’s well informed and of course an e- customs personnel.
While explaining the roles and mandates of the new appointment by NAGAFF management, the freight forwarder affirmed that the office has the potentials to bring stakeholders together and proffer lasting solutions for trade facilitation to thrive.’
“The new appointment as national chairman of trade facilitation committee is all about proffering solutions for our members who are faced with the encumbrance surrounding trade and to ensure that cargo clearance is not delayed at the seàports, airport and land borders.’
He further stated that the new appointment will not discourage him from contributing his quota for the NAGAFF 100% Compliance Team, pledging further to serve the association diligently.
Speaking on drop in cargo throughput in Nigerian ports, Ajuzie lamented that the situation has discouraged shippers from cargo Importation because of hike of foreign exchange pointing out that the parallel market has been unfavourable to Nigerian importers.
However, he also lauded the government for lifting restriction of 43 prohibited items adding that smuggling of such commodities under Buhari led government thrive which further killed local manufacturing of such goods.
By Roland Ekama
