MAJAN Roundtable: "CGC Adeniyi is an International Customs Officer" - Aniebonam

'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.

MAJAN ROUNDTABLE:Freight Forwarders may resort to Enmasse Protest

 650% Increase in Port Charges: Freight Forwarders may resort to Enmasse Protest

...Warn NPA Over Tripling of Abandoned Containers

ZAINAB JUNAID

Strong indications have emerged that if the trending arbitrary 650 percent increase in port storage charges by terminal operators is not urgently reversed, freight forwarders operating at Lagos Ports will likely resort to enmasse protest on Monday and this can lead to tripling of abandoned/overtime containers.

While expressing great concern over the issue, National Coordinator, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders(NAGAFF) 100 % Complliance, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko disclosed this at Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria(MAJAN) Round table held in Lagos on Friday adding that the process at which the 650 percent increase charge came was cunny.

To him, ,"If you want to increase the charges, no one is against that, but you must do it in a proper way. You must do extensive consultations with the Nigerian Shippers' Council(NSC), Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria ( CRFFN), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the major associations involved. They should have met with all these bodies,and notify them reasons for the increase in charges. We are supposed to deliberate on it and agreed on the amount to be charged. They just woke up one morning and increased rent Charges to over 650 percent".

"Before now, we were paying N1,200.00 and from that amount to over N96000.00 now. It is outrageous, it is killing!.It is totally unacceptable to us. The terminal operators are stifling trade and making life difficult for the average Nigerian, through their insensitive attitude.

He lamented over the outrageous charges incurred in the hands of Terminal operators, saying "The outrageous charges we incur in the hands of terminal operators are enormous. For instance, if you spend only 10 days in the terminal, you are going to pay not less than  N96,000.00 to N1 million. When you capture, make declaration, you now go to bank to make payments. After that you come back again and book for examination.The examination you are booking for example at APMT, will take you nothing less than 3-4 days for the container to be dropped either for scanning or physical examination."

Alhaji Tanko warned that if nothing is done to the obnoxious increment, there is possibility that the ports would be flooded with a lot of overtime containers 

"Just few days ago, NPA was complaining about abandoned, overtime containers. They should be prepared to see more overtime containers," he said.

Meanwhille, in addition to the terminal operators' charges that seems to make business unbearable for the forwarders, they still battle with the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) on benchmarking of duty, which entails payment of N7.5 million per Container.

According to Alhaji Tanko, "After paying the N7.5million, they still get another alert for other payments and anything thing can be placed on the alert. The meaning is that after examination, you need to still go back for one thing or the other: it may be amendment or matters of disclosure. If care is not taken, you may spend additional 3- 5 days on examination alone."

He further warned that the freight Forwarders would resort to the last option of total blockade of the Lagos ports by Monday , October 23, 2023, if the terminal operators fail to reverse the increment.

His words, "This is the time for war. We will face anybody who supports the increment.We will see the person as a sell- out".

The National Coordinator however, expressed disappointment with the former Acting President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents(ANLCA), Dr Kayode Farinto for allegedly supporting the increment.

He said, "Dr Kayode Farinto is one person I have great respect for, but his input in this matter,I am highly disappointed with him. For him to come out  openly and tell us that the terminal operators have right to increase charges  to over 650 per cent without consultation,am not sure that Farinto is still in this industry."

He also accused the Nigerian Shippers' Council, NSC, of connivance in the increment, demanding that NSC as the economic regulator of the ports, should clearly state their position on the matter arising.

"if the Nigerian Shippers' Council is not aware of the increment they should come out and tell us. We want to know wether they are with us or not or are with the foreigners who want to kill us," he said.

On the issue of lifting import restrictions on 43 items, Hon.Tanko praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the timely action, saying "the president has clearly identified our problem, and the impact of the policy would soon be seen in the economy."

Comptroller Oramalugo Strengthens Relationship with Police Force, Sister Agencies in Oyo

 to Enhance Service Delivery

ZAINAB JUNAID 

As part of the unwavering commitment and readiness to ensure increased collaboration and improved cordial relationship for better service delivery in the state, Customs Area Controller of the Oyo/ Osun Area Command, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo has paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of police CP Adebola Hamzat, Oyo State Commands of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Airforce Station (NAF), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

While Speaking at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Oyo State, on Friday October 20, 2023, Comptroller Oramalugo elaborated the core mandates of Nigeria Customs Service(NCS), as encompassing Revenue Generation, Trade Facilitation and Suppression of smuggling and emphasized the need for the Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) to seek increase collaboration, strengthen the synergies with Oyo Command of Nigeria Police Force in fulfilling its mandates within the State.

He gave a brief history about the establishment of the Nigeria Police Force and the core functions the agency is saddled with, stressing that when all security agencies within the State and the Country at large, understand the respective mandates and core functions of each security agency all forms of rivalry would be curbed easily.

In response, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebola Hamzat expressed gratitude for the CAC's courtesy visit, and assured the Customs Area Controller of his commitment to collaborate and further strengthen the already existing relationship between both security agencies.

CP Adebola made reference to various reforms that had been adopted in the Nigeria Police Force and how it has made the Force more robust and capable to perform its mandates to other security agencies and citizens of the Country in general.

Adebola further assured Oramalugo of robust synergy as there was no cause for rivalry to exist between security agencies, knowing that they jointly aimed at protecting the interest of the general public and Nigeria as a whole.

However, respective Heads of other security agencies also assured Comptroller Oramalugo of their commitment and readiness to ensure increased collaboration and cordial relationship for better service delivery in the State.

SAHCO Wins Contract with Uganda Airlines in Lagos

Handles Ibom Air Regional Operations

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc, has won the contract of providing Passenger, Baggage and Ramp Handling services to Uganda Airlines at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Uganda Airlines, the flag carrier of the Republic of Uganda would be flying from Entebbe International Airport, Uganda to Lagos three times a week to Lagos, Nigeria.

Speaking on this development, Ugandan Country Manager, Patrick Ziwa was pleased with the relationship between SAHCO and Uganda Airlines that started on October 19, 2023.

"Uganda Airlines is excited about working with SAHCO, partnering with SAHCO and also supporting SAHCO during this novel journey," he said.

SAHCO, which is the only ground handler present at all airports in Nigeria has also signed a handling contract with Ibom Air to handle her regional flights, Lagos- Accra routes which began October 17, 2023.

The Company would be providing Passenger handling services, Baggage handling services, Ramp handling services, Cargo handling services and Premium Lounge services for Ibom Air.

Its ability to attract and retain the confidence of both her existing airlines and new airlines due to the seamless, safe and speedy service delivery earned SAHCO this feat.

Spokesperson for SAHCO, Adetola Vanessa Uansohia said, "In recent times, many foreign airlines have moved their aviation ground handling operations to SAHCO so as to enjoy being handled by a loyal and dedicated workforce who are well trained and whose integrity is undoubtable, delivering their activities in line with global best practices."

"Also, SAHCO has invested on modern aviation ground support equipment (GSE) which operate on alternative power sources and are rugged to enable effective maneuvering in the Nigerian terrain.  These GSE are also equipped with the technology to guarantee zero carbon emission to ensure the commitment of SAHCO to protecting the environment. Among these is the first ever Cool Dollies which are used to convey temperature sensitive shipment from the aircraft to the warehouse to safeguard that the shipments are not denatured," She added.