Harboursandport.com: Lagos - The Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), has raised an alarm, warning that Nigeria stands to suffer financial/economic loses with the plan implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) next year.
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| National President of ANLCA, Tony Iju Nwabunike |
ANLCA noted that the nation has already lost over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs and cargoes on transit and mobile assets like trucks laden with goods worth over N130b belonging to private business people have been trapped since August 18, 2019, when the borders were shut.
A statement signed by the National President of
ANLCA, Tony Iju Nwabunike, noted that though it has gotten assurances from the
government for reopening of the borders but warned that Nigeria will be shut
out of trade with proximate countries of Benin Republic, Cameroun, Chad and
Niger Republic in West and Central African countries if the borders are not
opened on time for the implementation of AfCFTA.
In ANLCA’s words, “It was observed as an issue of
utmost concern that cargoes on transit and mobile assets like trucks laden with
goods worth over N130b belonging to private business people were trapped since
August 18, 2019, when the borders were shut under a joint operation, codenamed
"Exercise Swift Response".
“Most of the goods with perishable timelines have either been destroyed due to expiry periods or damaged beyond redemption as a result of exposure to unfavorable elements.
“ANLCA findings also confirm vandalism, theft and arson on some of the trucks and goods they carry, therefore causing great losses to many struggling businessmen and women.
“Of note is the over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs that have been lost so far due to this policy, which in our view, should have been approached and implemented differently.”
In a similar vein, the association also interacted with ranking members of the Senate over allegations of National Assembly members’ interference in cargo clearing.
“Chairman of the committee, Senator Francis Alimikhena gave his words that all cargo clearance hitherto stalled with shipping companies due to the committee's activities and correspondence will be allowed to be processed in line with extant regulations.
“Senator Francis Alimikhena concurred with ANLCA that: whereas the oversight functions of the lawmakers cannot be wished away on the executive arm of government and any of its agents, the day to day operation of duty collection, cargo examination, issuance of demand notices (when necessary) and effecting seizures for due infractions rest with Nigeria Customs Service.
“It was further concluded as an incontrovertible fact, that the functions of NCS officers as provided in the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) cannot be performed by any person or body not authorized to act so,” ANLCA concluded.
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