THE Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with its Turkish counterpart with a view to stemming the importation of arms, ammunition and other illicit cargoes.
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| Comptroller General Of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) |
The MoU was signed on behalf of the federal government by the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS.
Speaking to newsmen at a
stakeholders meeting held at the headquarters of the Nigerian Shippers Council, (NSC) in Apapa Tuesday, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS,
Col. Hameed Ali, (Rtd) accused shipping firms particularly
foreign lines operating in the country of aiding and abetting illegal
arms importation, stressing that the illegal importation of arms and
ammunition was the biggest concern facing the Customs Service.
Ali also said that the
trend has not only become a source of concern to Customs and Nigerians
but also to the security and well being of neighbouring countries.
In the case of Cameroon
where some people are threatening secession, he noted it is not impossible with the proliferation of
small arms within Nigeria, some are channeled to those agitators.
Ali explained the mutual
agreement between both countries is such the all import emanating from Turkey
will be transmitted to the Nigeria Customs before the arrival of the cargoes.
He further disclosed
that the Customs Service has handed over the list of prohibited items to its
Turkish counterpart.
The Customs boss
called on shipping firms to collaborate with Customs to block the
loopholes that importers were exploiting.
He warned that any
vessel caught in the transportation of prohibited and banned cargoes will be
arrested and detained adding that the security of the country cannot be
compromised.
The retired army officer also told shipping companies that change in ship manifest midway into a voyage
will henceforth be unacceptable noting that, that was what the arms importers
used in bringing in their illicit cargoes to Nigeria. He also said that all
containerized cargoes must be palletized except for bulk cargoes.
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| Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC, Hassan Bello |
He said " The issue
of being ignorant of the content of the container will no more be
acceptable.
" Carrying out
examination on unpalletized cargoes was always a problem as palletization of
containerized cargoes makes cargo examination easy and faster.
"We looked at
issues affecting the maritime industry especially with regards to shipment of
arms and that was why we invited the shipping lines and other stakeholders.
"We have sat down,
we have listen, we have resolved with stakeholders that we will work together,
they have given us their commitment.
"There were issues
that were raised when I spoke at the opening of the meeting which brought
issues like manifest and midstream transfer and the shippng companies have
given suggestion on how best we can approach these issues.
"We must have
standard, we must have synergy between you and us that will help us achieve 24 hours
cargo clearance time".
Explaining further, Ali
said that in the light of implementing the Executive Order which was signed by
the Vice President Mr.Yemi Osibajo as Acting President, the customs need the
cooperation of every stakeholders so as to make the implementation of the Order
successful .
Earlier in his opening
remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council,
Barrister Hassan Bello called on stakeholders to join hands with the
Customs Service to make the port a better place to do business and facilitate
trade.
He said the execution of
trade policies alone without the cooperation of stakeholders could make the
Executive Order unimplementable.
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