Tag: ANLCA

Shipping companies are depriving importers of over N2 billion weekly revenue, based on their refusal to refund the container deposit fee, the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has alleged.

The group raised the alarm that importers lose about N2 billion weekly to the companies.

But the spokesman of the Seaport Terminal Operators, Mr Bolaji Akinola, refuted the allegation.

He said the terminals always refund all the deposit made when the truck drivers return the containers.

“If you keep the containers in your factory for over  required period, you will pay for the delay

But a member of the group, Mr Segun Ogunsanu said the companies hide under various guises to defraud importers of container deposits.

He also alleged that government agencies such as the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have been included among agencies to collect revenue through debit notes.

He said: “Freight forwarders lose N2billion weekly, as regard container deposits. Some shipping companies fraudulently use one system or the other to exonerate themselves from paying the shippers back. Initially we thought the concession will bring some form of alleviation from where we were before, the question now is: Is it not better to go back to where we were before the concession?”

The President of the group also lamented the lack of empty bays for containers which he said,was the cause of long queues of trucks along the Apapa /Oshodi expressway.

He said one of the major reasons behind the port reform of the Federal Government eight years ago, was to reduce the cost of clearing goods and eliminate corruption at the ports.

He lamented that the move has not yielded the expected results.

He said Nigeria is still grappling with high cost of doing business which according to him supposed to have reduced after the port reforms.

He said: “The high cost of doing business if care is not taken will work against the port reforms, in the eight years we have been making reforms, and corruption is the victim of these reforms, port reforms are supposed to address issues of corruption, fighting corruption does not mean to arrest people and prosecute them, the moment you reform a system, it means you are fighting corruption.”

Importers and clearing agents have attributed the high rate of business at Tin Can Island Port in Apapa, Lagos to the efficiency of Customs officers there.

The port, the importers said, is user-friendly and has modern cargo equipment.

Most of the clearing agents, who also spoke with The Nation, described the Tin Can facility as one  of best in the world, saying they were happy because Customs officers at the command are proactive  and facilitate trade.

Imported goods, the clearing agent said, can be leave the port two hours after examination and five hours before examination if the importer and clearing agent are honest in their declaration.

Good facility and trade facilitation, the clearing agents said, were responsible for why many importers make the terminals their port of destination.

The Vice-Chairman, Tin Can Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Ada Apunonu, who spoke on behalf of other clearing agents, said the Customs command at the port, operates the unified Customs tariff and valuation structure  like the other commands and facilitate the quick release of cargoes from the terminals.

Last week, the Executive Director Ports and Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML), Askanio Russo, told  the Senate Committee on Privatisation that his terminal had lost a large chunk of its customers to the rival terminal at the Tin Can port due to what he called uneven administration of Customs tariff and valuation.

Russo reportedly blamed the Customs authorities for using various ex-factory prices and valuation assessment for used vehicles discharged at the terminal, claiming it is different from what obtained at other rival terminals in Tin can.

But the ANLCA chieftain said the allegation was untrue because, according to her, there is no disparity in tariff interpretation, especially on the new automotive policy between the two terminals.

“PTML is a terminal which specialises in handling vehicular imports and the management of the facility ought to be aware that the new auto policy with its attendant high tariff will definitely affect the volume of traffic to it. It is pure mischief and arm-twisting tactics being employed by its managers to accuse Customs of operating two different tariff and valuation structure at the terminals.

‘’Customs valuation system is unified and there is only one Customs administering the unified system at all its commands,” she said.

She, however, urged the terminals to make them user friendly and brace for further slide in cargo traffic by  January, next year when the full implementation of the auto policy was expected to take off.

Also, the Chairman of the state chapter of the association, Kayode Oyinlola, expressed disgust at the claims that there was disparity in Customs tariff,  which he said, was capable of causing disaffection among Customs officers.

‘’No terminal should blame anybody for its down turn in fortunes; rather, it should address some of its charges if it ranks as one of the highest in the country or not,’’ he said

He attributed the high preference of importers for the Tin Can port to what he described as the passion, dedication, commitment and  knowledge of Customs officers in the command in valuation.

Its controller, he said, had worked assiduously to achieve and maintain the prevailing peace and tranquility in the command.

This, Oyinlola said, had not only attracted the large flock of importers to the command, but has also enhanced its revenue profile.

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that the Maritime University in Okerenkoko, Delta State, promotes human capacity building.

The university, it said, should develop youths to take up vital maritime jobs.

ANLCA President Prince Olayiwola Shittu said maritime is a global and lucrative business, stressing that the Federal Government must empower youths and enrich the country through the university.

Shittu said it was not enough for the President to inaugurate the university, rather the government must ensure that the university employs staff and admits students for academic activities to begin.

The promoters of the university, he said, must ensure it is alive to its statutory responsibilities.

The institution, Shittu said, must be made to 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.

He noted that the establishment of the university was in furtherance of NIMASA’s passion for building local capacity in the sector and, ultimately, for the export of manpower. He praised the agency, urging the Federal Government, officials of the Ministry of transport and NIMASA to key into the objectives.

ANLCA, Shittu said, was happy that NIMASA also sponsored the establishment of maritime institutes in four universities namely, University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Niger Delta University, Amasoma, Bayelsa State, and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State to boost maritime education and business in the county.