MARITIME; NIGERIA CUSTOMS LIFTS SUSPENSION ON AGENTS WHOSE OPERATING LICENSES WERE HACKED

ACG Kaycee Ekezie(3rd seated from L) and her team with Hon Iju Nwabunike (3rd R) and his executive members

MARITIME

The hitherto frosty relationship between Nigeria Customs and some clearing and forwarding agents in Nigeria may have been smoothened with Customs lifting suspension order on some agents whose operating licenses were hacked.

Indications to this development came to light recently during a courtesy visit by Zonal Coordinator, Nigeria Customs Service Zone A Lagos, ACG Kaycee Ekezie to Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents ANLCA National Secretariat, Dikko Inde House Amuwo Odofin Lagos.

ACG Ekezie who visited with all the Controllers of Customs under her zone was received by National President of ANLCA Hon. Iju Tony Nwabunike and his National Executive Committee members as well as leaders from western Zone.

Ekezie told the full house of ANLCA members that she brought with her a message of goodwill and cooperation from Nigeria Customs Service urging agents to play by the rules of engagement in import guidelines and procedure as it is the only way to guarantee a smooth flow of the entire system with mutual benefits for all stakeholders.

On his part,  National President of ANLCA Chief Tony Iju Nwabunike welcomed ACG Ekezie very warmly to ANLCA secretariat assuring that the current executive of ANLCA which he leads would do all within its powers to ensure that the Nigeria Customs gets the desired cooperation.

In his words Nwabunike said “my administration will continue to do all within our power to smoothen the process and make Customs work easier. We would continue to educate our members as well as importers on the need to adhere to laid down rules in line with international best practices

He added that “continuous training and retraining of brokers and capacity building in the entire freight forwarding industry remains one of the administrative pillars on which ANLCA is anchored.

Speaking further, Nwabunike pleaded for lifting of the suspension order on some brokers over alleged hacking and illegal release of vehicles adding that the suspension was erroneous, didn’t follow due process and has brought untold hardship to the families of the agents.

This plea of lifting the suspension got the positive consideration of the Customs boss who announced the lifting pending completion of investigation.

In a vote of thanks, Ahaji Mukaila Babatunde, ANLCA National Secretary thanked the ACG and her team for his auspicious visit which allowed for a close interaction with her constituency.

He also assured the Customs boss of the total cooperation of ANLCA members.

Association of Nigeria License Customs Agents ANLCA was established in 1954.

By Fred Iwenjora