ANLCA compliance committee pledges support to NCS

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) 100 per cent Compliance Committee has pledged its support to the Nigerian Customs Service (NSC) towards ensuring compliance with cargo inspection, appropriate declaration and duty payment.

The National Chairman, ANLCA 100 per cent Compliance Committee, Lameen Aliyu, said the association established the Committee following allegations that its members are obstructing cargo inspection.

He refuted the allegations, saying the licensed customs agents are critical stakeholders in the generation of revenue from the maritime sector.

He said there was no occasion that members of the licensed customs agents obstructed the NCS from examining cargoes at the airport.

Aliyu said the committee would ensure that importers and customs agents declare the right consignments; pay their duties and assist the NCS at the examination bays to ensure that cargoes are inspected and cleared.

He said among the committee’s objectives is also to ensure terminal operators, shipping companies and other services providers comply with the Federal Government’s ease of doing business policy.

He added that the committee would kick against excessive charges, network failures and other forms of extortions.

Also speaking, the Airport Coordinator of the Committee, Richard Ogundele, said customs licensed agents have been working together with the Nigerian Customs Service to generate revenue for the federal government, hence, there was no way they would hinder the smooth operation of the service in cargo inspections at the airport.

He, however, commended the NASS for initiating the committee, while lamenting the double charges and other extortions from service providers at the port, which he said have cost Nigeria 50 per cent of its cargoes going to neighbouring countries.

Ogundele further urged importers to make a proper declaration of their consignment and pay their duty, adding that the committee would ensure all manifests are checked properly.