NAGAFF , KLT Customs Command Strategize To Boost Trade Facilitation, Revenue Drive

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has entered into strategic collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Command to boost trade facilitation and improve revenue generation for the federal government.

Speaking at meeting held in Lagos on Thursday, Customs Area Controller, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT), Comptroller MM Tilley-Gyado assured freight forwarders and customs towards enabling seamless port operations and cargo clearance.

While soliciting cooperation with NAGAFF members, the Controller promised to operate “an open door policy” for freight agents on seamless cargo clearance, even as she harped on effective communication mechanism  in ensuring smooth and seamless trade facilitation despite the lull in cargo throughput.

Tilley-Gyado solicited for member of the foremost freight forwarding association to work closely with the command in furtherance to promote a  friendly environment adding that “When two or more groups are involved in that the command can be easily accessible when the two parties involved can make  progress.

She stressed that access to  the command was not conducive in time past but added that the road linking KLT in recent has improved for trade to thrive .

According to her , issues bothering on alert on cargoes is not directly from the command but from the service headquarters .

The controller stated that the command would try its best possible to ensure that the alert would be minimal to encourage trade facilitation.

 

She appreciated the visit by top management of NAGAFF to the command noting that cases that has to do with alert  emanates from the service headquarters saying that the command has little or nothing to do with alert on cargoes.

 

Earlier, President of NAGAFF, Tochukwu Ezisi called on the command’s hierarchy to look inwards in  addressing issues affecting cargo clearance from KLT command.

 

Ezisi who was represented by the Deputy President of NAGAFF, Simeon Nwonu, called on the Area Controller to partner the association as parts of efforts to bring back h past glory of KLT command .

He said “the meeting with the CAC KLT is to intimate her about the challenges faced by our members. We also came to agreement with customs on friend approach to cargo clearance because customs and freight forwarders are like husband and wife. And for us to achieve this, we just have to embark on effective communication.

The KLT Chapter Chairman of NAGAFF, Engr. Emmanuel Umeadi also attributed the lull of cargo imports to the high exchange rate of dollar to Naira.

The chairman lamented that cargo throughput to the nation’s seàports have dropped significantly hence the lull in cargo importation

Also speaking journalists on the sidelines of he visit, Chief of Staff to the President of NAGAFF , Reverend Emmanuel Agubanze, reiterated that the visit was based on soliciting friendly working environment with customs.

Agubanze pledged that NAGAFF will continue to support and  encourage the command under Comptroller Tilley Gyado watch to surpass revenue target set aside for the KLT unit of the service by management.

 

 

By Roland Ekama