'Nigeria couldn't have gotten someone better than a Man like Adewale Adeniyi.'
... Calls on CGC Adeniyi to Empower Zonal Commands, Trusts Area Controllers
...Speaks on Outrage Over Increase in Terminal Charges, Reversal of forex ban on 43 items, Others
ZAINAB JUNAID
The Founder, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam has described the Customs Chief, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR as an International Customs Officer whom Nigeria would not want to let go for his stewardship and commitment to reshaping the future of customs practices in Nigeria.
While fielding questions from members of the Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria(MAJAN) during a round table talk-show held on Friday October 20, 2023, Dr. Aniebonam made reference to the decision taken to disband the StrikeForce and other tremendous move made by the Comptroller General of Customs immediately he assumed office.
He explained that the strike force was an ad-hoc arrangement, an intervention force to correct a particular ailment. It shouldn't have lasted more than 3 months; or at most 6 months and returned back to their base.
"A great decision taken by the new CGC was disbandment of the StrikeForce. The Comptroller General of Customs hit the ground running immediately he took over helms of the Nigeria Customs Service in June 19, 2023, especially running in the basic things he knew were going wrong but didn't have the opportunities to correct," he said.
Speaking further on more expectations from CGC Adewale, Dr. Aniebonam stressed the need for the Comptroller General of Customs to empower Zonal Commands nationwide and make them functional to address trade disputes, to ensure seamless operations.
“Going forward, the zonal commands of the Customs must be operational, if we want to discuss issues of trade facilitation, making operations to be seamless, having access to resolving trade matters, I expect the new CGC to devolve powers to the zones. Delegating powers to the Zones to handle trade matters and resolve disputes will fast track trade facilitation in the nation.
“I will advise the CGC to focus more on formulation of policies, training and retraining of officers to understand the language of Customs, international relations, welfare of officers and men of the Service. CGC Adeniyi should move away from operations and allow the Commands to take charge, because it’s more convenient for freight forwarders to take trade issues to Zonal commands to resolve, than traveling to Abuja always, even considering the security treat in the country.”
The Founder reiterated that, “The zones are manned by competent ACGs who are already in the bracket of being appointed to the top echelon of Customs hirachy. I believe the new CGC is working on it.
“Note that in devolving powers to the Zones, the CGC has the residual power to reverse any decision taken that is not right; or in tandem with the right procedures. That is the advantage in devolution of powers.”
He added that, “The CGC must in turn, trust the ACGs at the Zonal Commands. There must be trust in the system. Anything you are doing without trust, there is a problem. The headquarters of Customs must alsotrust Area Controllers at various Commands to do the needful, while keeping an eye on them”.
Speaking further, he emphasized that appropriate customs duty assessment on imported goods coming into the country must follow standard operating procedures. Imports at present are being over-valued for Customs purposes".
"Emphasis by Customs on meeting alloted revenue targets is detrimental to trade facilitation, as well as compliance to import and export regulations, as Customs focuses more on the revenue collection than trade facilitation capable of stimulating economic growth and job creation. Don't benchmark cargo. Revenue is a function of trade policy, cost, insurance and freight when calculating the duty. What does it take to conduct customs examination looking at section 27, the Bill of sight?"
While responding to questions on the outrage by freight forwarders over excessive increase in terminal charges to over 650%, Dr. Boniface appealed to freight forwarders and maritime traders for calm, calling on Nigeria Shippers Council as the regulatory authority to urgently intervene in order to avoid chaos in the Port system, especially with the challenges facing the nation's economy at the moment.
He described the purported increment in terminal charges as absurd, saying the terminal operators should have sought for approval of any proposed increase on charges from appropriate regulatory authority in the transportation ministry.
He advised them to avoid unilateral decisions over charges instead the terminal operators should do broad based consultation with stakeholders before making official pronouncements.
This, he said is important to prevent conflict in the industry.
To him, "Consultation and dialogue are useful at all times for all stakeholders to be on the same page."
He thus enjoined the Nigerian Shippers Council to invoke its powers to bring sanity to the industry. "The Council should in the prevailing circumstance, immediately convene a meeting with stakeholders and terminal operators to deliberate on the festering imbroglio between Freight Forwarders and Terminal Operators over the astronomical increase in terminal charges, ensure trade facilitation is not disturbed and endeavor to avoid the looming conflict at the ports."
Meanwhile, on how the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), Godwin Emefiele's monetary policy affected the economy, Aniebonam said, “The former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele destroyed the nation’s economy with the ban on forex for importation of rice and other 42 items. Delisting those items was technically banning importation of such goods.
“This is because every import coming into Nigeria must have Form-M for statistical purposes.
What this means is that, if you do not have form ‘M’ registered for a product, the Customs will not be in a position to issue you Pre-Arrival Assessment Report, PAAR.
“You see the confusion Mr Godwin Emefiele created in the system ! Emefiele, who is not conversant with Customs laws
issued that Executive Order in ignorance, without due consultation with Nigeria Customs Service for professional advice. He acted in lack of knowledge and undue arrogance, he destroyed the economy.
“Hope is alive. Thanks to President Bola Tinubu for his wisdom in reversing that Order. With the lifting of ban on these 43 items, compliance level will increase in making declaration for customs purposes.
“Section 27 treats matters of incomplete documentation. The Customs law tells you what to do, that brings in issue of penalty. The Customs helps in that regard because the subject matter is trade. You see, Customs are the most patriotic citizens, but the implication is that, you are at mercy of Customs to do your business. You cargo can be seized under false declaration, or concealment.”
On the creation of Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the NAGAFF Founder described it as a welcome development, stating that the initiative will pave for way for Nigeria to harness enormous resources abound in that sector for the betterment of the entire economy.
Dr Aniebonam stressed that Nigeria has a lot to benefit from the new ministry, if measures are put in place to ensure appropriate implementation of policies mapped out to grow the sector.
However, he advised the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to look at aspects of ship repairs, ship building, opening up inland waterways, tapping into the Cabotage law for Nigeria to have national carrier and other areas of specialisation should be prioritised.
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