Trade facilitation hinged on compliance to import and export regulations

To facilitate international trade in Nigerian seaports in a way that ensures timely delivery of cargoes to importer’s warehouse, there is need for government agencies operating in the nation’s port to enforce the relevant laws guiding import and export while port users are also expected to adhere to these laws.

This is because, the refusal of port users to comply with trade rules and regulations as well as the inability of some government officials to enforce the laws, has been seen as one of the major reasons why corrupt practices that in turn delay trade, are prevalent in the port.

Raising an alarm at the happenings at the port, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), says that Nigerian seaport is witnessing a system break-down, and to arrest the situation, there is need to enforce and comply with the laws and regulations governing Nigeria’s international trade.

In a statement signed by Stanley Ezenga, national publicity secretary of the association, the importer, exporter and the freight or customs agents need to make genuine declaration of goods for the officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other agencies of government, to carry out their individual statutory duties. “Non compliance to import regulation is a factor and it is criminal.”

On the other hand, Ezenga stated that customs and other regulatory agencies need to enforce approved regulations governing international trade in the port.

“The anti-corruption war in the country over time has recorded well over 95 percent of culprits as public servants. We regret to state that the war against corruption in Nigeria may not record appreciable success, if government refuses to apply the Georgian example of reforms whereby the country may start afresh to recruit agents and operatives of the government with a fresh idea and training skills,” he explained.

Noting that Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) and other agencies operating in the nation’s seaport lack the political will to exercise their legislative and executive powers in dealing with terminal operators and shipping companies, Ezenga added that it is why issues surrounding illegal charges have been the major problem in the ports there today, hitting hard on the essence of port concessioning.

Citing example, the NAGAFF secretary said that lack of political will is why Customs and NPA have failed to apply the law of Section 31 of CEMA 2004 in favour of the progressive storage charge of APM Terminals and others.

Therefore, the group stated that accusations and counter accusations would not solve the problem of corruption in Nigeria. The solution is easily obtained through good governance and obedience to regulations and laws of the state of Nigeria.

“In the opinion of NAGAFF, it is time for Mr. President to call every party involved in the various breaches at the port in view to addressing all matters and save the country from the ongoing cargo diversion and loss of revenue due to the Government.”

Continuing, he states: “We also wish to call for an International Trade Summit where stakeholders in the international trade from across the country will assemble to compare notes and come up with complete and sustainable solution to the problems confronting trade in Nigeria.”

UZOAMAKA ANAGOR-Ewuzie