Customs partners freight forwarders, agents for ease of operations

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has called for more collaboration with freight forwarders and licensed Customs agents to bridge communication gaps that impede smooth cargo clearance at the seaports. 

Speaking last week in Lagos, Hameed Ali, comptroller-general of Customs, who was on his maiden visit to the headquarters of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), said Customs cannot deliver on its mandate without cordial relationship with its critical stakeholders.

“There cannot be Customs without clearing agents because both need to parley to ensure ease of doing business at the port. We are both partners in progress and our visit to both associations is to strengthen the already existing relationship,” he stated.

Ali endorsed the stakeholders request for forming a committee that would bring representative of Customs, NAGAFF, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and other associations together, to bridge communication gap and fast track dispute resolution particularly on cargo clearance.

Customs boss further assured stakeholders that the Service will devote a large chunk of its annual budget to training and re-training of Customs officers to keep them abreast with international best practices. “We have also created a room for the training of agents in order for them to be conversant with new cargo clearing processes.”

Earlier in his presentation, Increase Uche, acting president of NAGAFF, who identified the need to sustain the long standing relationship and partnership with critical stakeholders, suggested the need for setting up of joint committee involving officials of Customs trade and tariff, NAGAFF and other stakeholders for further brainstorming.

He however tasked Customs on professionalism, best practices and putting enabling legislation in place to facilitate trade. 

Recall that two weeks back, ANLCA and the NAGAFF unanimously wrote a petition letter to the CG threatening to withdraw their services from the nation’s seaports and border station over the issue of system failure caused by corruption and extortion on port users by government agencies including Customs officers.

Industry close watchers believed that both associations will put aside the earlier plans to strike and begin a fresh relationship that hopes to address the issues highlighted.