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Tag: ANLCA

  • Shipping firms sabotaging inland ports, says ANLCA

    By Muyiwa Lucas

    THE Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA)  has accused shipping firms of sabotaging inland ports, including Kaduna Dry Port.

    The customs agents also accused the shipping firms  of frustrating the stemming of cargoes, thereby creating bottlenecks.

    Its President, Tony Nwabunnike who spoke on the side of a roundtable in Lagos, added that the shipping firms were pursuing their business agenda against national interest.

    According to him, a bonded terminal owned and operated  by a shipping firms in the heart of the north gets cargoes from Apapa without hitches as long as they are terminals.

    But in the case of Kaduna Dry Port, some shipping shippers have stated why cargoes cannot go there, he said.

    Nwabunnike said Kaduna Dry Port, which was inaugurated in January, last year by President Muhammadu Buhari, was aimed at boosting import and export because of its proximity to Niger Republic and other landlocked countries.

    Besides, the ANLCA chief added that his intervention also made it possible for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to unblock over 300  licences.

    He added that the blocked licences prevented its owners from engaging in any meaningful business.

    Nwabunnike assured that efforts were in top gear to boost the capacity of members through training.

    He described the alleged internal rumblings by some members of ANLCA National Executive Committee (NECOM) as part of efforts to resist change.

  • ANLCA elects officers

    T he Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), has elected new officers to run its affairs.

    Mr Tony Iju Nwabunike is the new national president, defeating  Emenike Nwokeoji, who is the out-going vice president.

    Dr. Kayode Farinto, ANLCA’s national publicity secretary, defeated Prince Kayode Oyinlola  to become the new vice president.

    Others are: Alhaji Babatunde (National Secretary); Joe Sanni (National Publicity Secretary); Hajia Bola Muse (National Financial Secretary); Denis Ukwu (Assistant National Secretary) and Uche Martins (Zonal Co-ordinator Eastern Zone).

    Joshua Ahuama is the secretary of the zone. John Oforbike (Zonal Co-ordinator, Western Zone) with Bayo Oyekangun as secretary.

    The outgoing National President, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, commended the elected officers, saying  ANLCA was the only association in the sector with a democratic system of governance.

    Shittu urged members to continue to work as one to move the group forward.

    “We have a system in place at ANLCA that we have tried to manage, nobody is perfect, but the system corrects itself. Ten years ago our elections were never done like this, there is always a palpable fear, the Police,  OPC and  others will be full, but today we are the only democratic association in the maritime industry, not even the maritime workers’ union because they arrange it, not even the transport workers and not even NAGAFF’.

    “It is what we teach them that they must follow. We are the oldest, we set the pace and we  must be  the yardstick of reference,” Shittu said.

    Its Board of Trustees’ (BOT)  Chairman,  Mr Henry Njoku, appealed to those  elected to embrace to work together to move the association forward.

    Njoku commended Shittu and his team for their achievements, especially acquiring a national secretariat. He pledged that the BOT would work with the new leaders.

    “Prior to this time,  the news has been that ANLCA would break into two,  but today we are here to witness that ANLCA cannot be broken into two. To the new president of ANLCA and his team, we would work with him to make sure ANLCA moves forward. There is no personal interest,  the goal here is to get ANLCA move forward.

    “This is not a winner takes all, it is winner unites us all. This is what we need to move forward. Before, when we used to have elections, we were coming to a rented apartment, but today,  we have our secretariat fully furnished. We commend Mr. President and BOT members,” Njoku said.

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who was represented by his Special Assistance on Special Duties, Mr. Uwakwe Azikiwe, urged ANLCA to bring forth the right candidate to ensure the growth of the maritime sector.

  • ANLCA chief seeks quick cargo clearance

    The Chairman, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Onne Chapter, Chief Kingsley Offor, has solicited for support of members and other stakeholders for effective service delivery and smooth cargo clearance at ports.

    Speaking with The Nation of his re-election bid, he said ANLCA’s vision was to   enhance members’ welfare.

    Offor gave kudos to the Board of Trustees and the leadership of the association for their commitment to promoting truth and enhancing unity and justice among members.

    “I call on ANLCA faithful to remain focused and steadfast to the association’s tenets to ensure that adequate synergies and partnerships with stakeholders at the port aimed at enthroning a conducive working environment and seamless cargo clearance were upheld.

    ANLCA Onne chapter, findings revealed, has achieved tremendous impacts in promoting members’ welfare, such as provision of 36-seater coaster bus, medical care for all members and on the job training of members in line with global challenges.

    Ofor urged other members to come on board to serve ANLCA “because it’s a self-serving mission to protect the interest of all members and the growth of the association”.

    ANLCA, he said, will continue to develop and sustain a conducive  working relationship with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Standards Organisation of Nigeria  (SON), NAFDAC and other stakeholders.

    “If elected, I will retain my open and all-inclusive policy for all members irrespective of their status because ANLCA is one united and individual body,’’ he said.

    While assuring that ANLCA members would continue to work in line with global best practices, Offor urged government agencies at the port to re-strategise and fast-track compliance on cargo clearance to facilitate trade, enforce the Easy of Doing Business policy and enhance revenue generation to the Federal Government.

     

  • ANLCA urges members on trade facilitation

    The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has urged its members to keep supporting the Federal Government’s trade facilitation programme.

    Investigations have revealed that the association mandated its members to follow all Customs’ rules and regulations associated with quick cargo clearance as the “Ember” months and the Yuletide season approach.

    The association’s Public Relation Officer, Dr Kayode Farinto, said the group has undergone various structural and operational changes in line with the freight forwarding profession with a view to attaining global standards and best practices.

    “ANLCA at national and  state levels has enforced compliance on members with the ethics and rules governing the profession aimed at creating a robust working relationship with all stakeholders, with emphasis on the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

    “ANLCA as a major stakeholder in the clearing and freight forwarding profession, has played tremendous role and impact in trade facilitation and revenue generation into the federal coffers.

    “These are reflected in most Customs area commands as clearing agents have created adequate partnership with officers and men of the service with a view to enhancing revenue generation and facilitate trade,” the image maker said.

    The new vigour injected by the current administration of Prince Olayiwola Shittu,  Farinto said, has created a multiplier effect at most ANLCA chapters anchored on handwork, discipline, transparency and result-oriented programmes.

     

  • ANLCA boss asks maritime agencies to embrace reform initiatives

    •The Nation, others hailed on port reform forum

    Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) National President Prince Olayiwola Shittu has urged the maritime port agencies to embrace reform initiatives.
    He said such initiatives had the capacity to ignite the political will and self-honesty required to wake up the country to do what was needed to set the maritime sector on the right path.
    He spoke when the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Nation, Mr. Victor Ifijeh and Chief Strategist of Epsilon Limited Mr. Amechi Chukwujama visited the association on Thursday in Lagos.
    He hailed The Nation and Epsilon Limited for coming up with the innovative idea of organising the 2017 Port Reforms Conference.
    He lauded the organisers for making “great efforts to consult with and involve major stakeholders”.
    Shittu, who was with Zonal Coordinator (West) Dr. John Ofobike, Director-General Mr. Joel Nwosu and National Publicity Secretary Dr. Kayode Farinto, said when institutions work together, success would be guaranteed.
    The ANLCA national president said the association plays a key role in trade facilitation and helps the Nigeria Customs Service to generate revenue for government.
    Lending his support to the project, Shittu said ANLCA would consult with its zonal coordinators and communicate its level of support to the organisers.
    Ifijeh, who was represented by the General Manager, Corporate Services, Mr. Soji Omotunde, told the ANLCA national president the Minister of Transportation Mr. Rotimi Amaechi directed that the ministry collaborate with The Nation and Epsilon Limited in organising the conference on fast-tracking port reforms with the theme: “Making Nigerian Ports World Class.”
    The event holds March 30, 2017 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
    He said one of the aims of the conference was to get critical stakeholders to agree on desired outcomes within a timeframe and nominate a team among them to be accountable for monitoring and motivating implementation.
    Over 150 leaders from stakeholder groups are expected at the event.

  • Agents accuse Customsmen of extortion

    The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has threatened to shut the ports, if the Federal Government fails to stop Customsmen from allegedly extorting its members.

    Speaking with The Nation, its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kayode Farinto, also condemned the alleged extortion by other agencies, such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Plant Quarantine Service and the police.

    The group said: “We want to inform the Federal Government and the general public that ANLCA may seek self-help by withdrawing our services from the ports until the unchecked extortion in the port is stopped.”

    It alleged that in the last eight months, its members have been constantly extorted by Customs’ officers and there has not been any intervention from the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC).

    ANLCA noted that the Pre-arrival Assessment Reports (PAAR) was a good innovation of the last administration of Customs under Abdullahi Dikko, but the PAAR has been bastardised under Alli.

    “Agents, unlike before now, cannot state precisely how much they can use to clear cargoes from the port because of the preponderance  of extortion and interventions by various units of Customs, including valuation, query and amendments, CIU and so on.

    “We now have situations whereby more than one PAAR is issued on one consignment and the PAAR is constantly queried,” they said.

    ANLCA also alleged that the Plant Quarantine usually stops the release of imported consignment under various excuses.

    “We now have a situation where different department of Police now write to stop the release of cargoes under the pretence that they were investigating cases of stealing, false declaration and forgery.

    The group urged the Federal Government and the Ministers of Finance and Transport to investigate the matter.

  • Use Maritime Academy to build capacity, Amaechi told

    The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has urged the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, to ensure that the Maritime Academy in Oron, Akwa Ibom State, promotes capacity building.

    It urged the government to train the academy’s students on protecting the country’s waterways from pollution, illegal fishing and dumping of hazardous waste, which it noted, were on the rise.

    The associations President, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, said maritime was a global and lucrative business, stressing that the Federal Government must empower youths and enrich the country through the academy.

    Shittu said it was not enough for the minister to focus on maritime agencies, but to ensure that the institute employs qualified workers and admits qualified students.

    The management of the academy, Shittu said, must ensure that it is alive to its statutory responsibilities, adding that the institution must provide the human capacity required for the sector in addition to serving as a research and knowledge centre for academics and the youths, who are interested in the acquisition of maritime training and knowledge.

    The establishment of the academy, he noted, was in furtherance of the the government’s passion for building local capacity in the sector and the export of such manpower.

    The dumping of toxic waste in the maritime domain and the increasing crimes on the coastline, he noted, require commitment on the side of the Federal Government and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). This, he said, will enhance  cooperation with foreign partners to build maritime capability.

    The ANLCA chief said Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand had set the stage for cooperation between states, both in information exchange and mobilisation of resources.

    Since piracy is not the only threat to maritime security, another member, Shittu, advised the government to adopt best practices that can be implemented.

  • Agents threaten to shut terminal for alleged N1b extortion

    Agents threaten to shut terminal for alleged N1b extortion

    The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Tin Can Island Chapter, said it will shut down the Tin Can Island Container Terminal (TICT) on Wednesday, over allegation of N1billion extortions and high level of inefficiency on the part of the operator.

    The group, it was gathered, met in Lagos yesterday, to discus what they called unbridled corruption, extortions and official arrogance of the management of the terminal which they claimed has increased the cost of doing business at the terminal.

    Sources close to the meeting said the group alleged that the terminal operator has defrauded the importers and their agents to the tune of over N1 billion through illegal means.

    “We have compiled 25 oddities for 25 days that government issued public holidays and we quantified the amount of money they collected from the public for services not rendered which is to the tune of over N1billion,” the group alleged.

    The Chairman of the Chapter, Prince Kayode Oyinlola, his deputy,  Ada Akpunonu and the Secretary-General, My Chucks Kanikwu,  alleged that the management of TICT operates strange and unwholesome practices which defy all known norms in port operations.

    Oyinlola said: “TICT management colludes with all kind of government agencies at the port to block your Terminal Delivery Order(TDO) without which you cannot take delivery of your consignment duly released.

    This ultimately extends the time of the exit of your goods that will make you pay induced demurrage.

    In other words, any manner of agency, including the unauthorized ones, could delay the exit of goods on flimsy excuse and write to the terminal operator to delay its exit which the TICP will gleefully oblige.

  • Agents to Buhari: diversify economy

    Operators in the maritime industry have urged President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to diversify the economy and reposition the maritime industry.

    The operators under the aegis of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) led by their president, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, said the industry’s future is bright with the incoming All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

    He described Buhari’s victory as “the result of patience and perseverance”, saying: “And it is not a surprise either that it’s a close run between two leaders with different orientations. Here is a sitting president, who is thinking in the long term and here is an incoming president who is thinking on impacting on the people in the short term.

    “All the reports of all the committees that have been piling dust, whether seen or unseen, but without any action taking place on them should be looked into. It is not a matter of setting up of another committees but the government should look into the recommendations of past committees and move the industry forward.”

    He was optimistic that the incoming APC government would review the automotive policy and the amount importers must pay on vehicles after May 29.

  • ANLCA supports Dikko’s trade facilitation programme

    The Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has said it will continue to support trade facilitation programme of the Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi to boost revenues generation and sustain the economy.

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), ANLCA said, was contributing N30 billion into the federation account before Dikko was appointed. But with the modernisation Dikko has brought into the service, ANLCA said, the revenue generation has increased geometrically from N30 billion to N100 billion monthly.

    ANLCA said it was happy that the Customs boss has trained his officers and men of the service for greater revenue generation and trade facilitation at the nation’s sea ports and border stations.

    Speaking with The Nation, ANLCA’s immediate past Chairman, Tin Can Island Chapter, Mr Kayode Farinto said Dikko is one of the few government officials that key into the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan and gave the scheme the necessary support.

    Farinto said the allegation that Dikko has betrayed President Jonathan by supporting and sponsoring the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari against President Jonathan in the coming presidential polls is unfounded

    Farinto urges President Jonathan, Nigerians and other stakeholders in the maritime industry to disregard the allegation, which he described as baseless and cannot be substantiated.

    ANLCA, and other stakeholders, Farinto said, know the good role the Customs boss has played in ensuring that President Jonathan’s transformation agenda is implemented and carried to the letter at the ports.

    “His role alone has made Mr. President’s tenure to be the best in the area of revenue generation and trade facilitation, even some of us that are Dikko’s critics gave him kudos,” he said.