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Tag: NAGAFF

  • National Single Window Committee wants NAGAFF’s collaboration

    National Single Window Committee wants NAGAFF’s collaboration

    The Team Lead, National Single Window (NSW) project, Mr. Tola Fakolade, has urged the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) to partner it for the successful implementation of the system.

    Fakolade made the appeal during a visit to NAGAFF’s office in Apapa, Lagos.

    He explained that the merits of the project are many, adding that the freight forwarders would gain a lot from it as, unlike the present system,  they are only expected to submit one document for other agencies to work with.

    He said: “And the reason we are here is because there is no way this project can be successful without the great forwarders.The great forwarders, as we know, are the lifeblood when it comes to, because they handle the end-to-end process of any shipment. And if we have the single window, one of the key people that will be using this system will be the people we have here, who are the great forwarders.

    “So, the first reason we are here is we want NAGAFF to be our partner in this journey. We don’t want NAGAFF to be from afar. We want to work with NAGAFF to help us in this journey.’’

    He also explained how the NSW system works and that it would act as a central system for their documentation, bring agencies together, and, among others, erase cumbersomeness, time and energy waste, and uphold the ease of doing business.

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    He lamented that while in some neighbouring countries, port business is easy, the NSW’s objective is to make Nigeria to not only beat those countries, but also make Nigeria a model in the subregion.

    In response to some issues raised by some stakeholders at the event, Fokolade promised to hold more town hall meetings, training, and address potential network issues and carried them along.

    NAGAFF President, High Chief Afam Ezisi,  who assured the NSW Committee of their partnership and added: ‘Do not limit this to freight forwarders. Take the message to importers.’’ He said the new system would work if there was an honest declaration by importers.

    At the event from NSW were Mr. Damola Yusuf; Mr. Peter Ekunkoya, Miss Maryam Shittu and Mr. Obinna Ihiedoha while NAGAFF’s BoT Chairman, Chief Chiebere Enelama; founder, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam; Deputy President, Headquarters, Simeon Nwonu and his Seaport counterpart, Chief Afam Chukwuma.

  • Freight forwarders kick against stemming cargoes to Kirikiri

    The Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) chapter of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has expressed worry over alleged stoppage of transpire by officials of Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

    It said such action would militate against trade facilitation.

    A transpire is a Customs instrument for designating cargoes from one port to another.

    NAGAFF Chairman Emmanuel Umadi, an engineer, in a chat with newsmen in Lagos, accused the Tin Can Island Customs Area Comptroller, Mba Musa, of being selective in containers’ stemming to Kirikiri facilities.

    Umadi alleged that the practice by the Tin Can Island Customs’ boss has frustrated shippers from patronising neighbouring ports, adding that the act of not approving stemming of some consignments was unprofessional and negates World Trade Organisation (WTO) Conventions.

    According to him, the immediate past Area Controller, Bashir Yusuf, was instrumental to ensuring a seamless process of containers’ stemming to Kirikiri facilities. He alleged that the reverse has been the case with the current area controller, adding that revenue drive and trade facilitation cannot be sustained effectively.

    The NAGAFF boss reiterated that the alleged practice by the Customs is unacceptable because of transpires not being signed by the controller, noting that personal decision or interest by him (controller) poses serious danger to the nation’s economy.

    Umadi called on  the Area Controller to create an enabling environment for business at the port to thrive, noting that importers cannot be compelled to patronise his command in order to meet up with revenue collection.

    “Customs is Customs everywhere. So, I don’t understand how the process of transpire would affect revenue leakages. Duty payment is guaranteed if the containers are stemmed to KLT and even the KLT Command has little or nothing to do, so why frustrate importers and freight forwarders, who wish to do business at KLT.

    “It is totally unacceptable by freight forwarders. It is totally unacceptable by the constitution of Nigeria because as a remittal collector, you are supposed to sign the necessary transpire documents on boxes, which do not stop the customs from checkmating the containers wherever they are transferred to.

    “The Area Controller refused to give reasons why he chose not to sign transpire of some containers for reasons best known to him. There have been several meetings with him on these issues, but we cannot pinpoint why he declined to sign most of these containers and we are not comfortable with it. If transpire is being held by a customs Controller then the country will be affected with hardship and high cost of doing business in the ports as well as Nigerian economy,” he lamented.

    Reacting to the allegation, the NCS Public Relations Officer, Tin Can Island Command, Uche Ejesieme, agreed that shippers and agents have the right to determine where they want their consignments designated. He maintained that the command is yet to confirm applications on transfer of cargoes to other facilities, adding that there are procedures on consignments’ stemming.

    He further recalled that management had issued a circular on issues of transpires in 2018, stressing that the circular is extant and does not think the impressions that are given are actual facts.

    “Controller cannot take laws into his hands, he is somebody that understands the nitty-gritty of the job and he is somebody that would not want to do something contrary to the extent that it will become counter-productive,” Ejesieme explained, adding that the shipping companies cannot be isolated in the process of containers’ stemming to Kirikiri Lighter Terminal. He further explained that the gap might have emanated from documentations and not necessarily the command’s boss as being speculated.

  • NAGAFF urges FG over SON return to seaport

    The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has urged the Federal Government to ensure the return of standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to the seaport.

    The group wants SON back instead of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administrative Control (NAFDAC) that was recently returned to the port.

    Dr. Boniface Aniebonam reacting to the spate of substandard items imported into the country told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos that SON should be actively involved in the import inspection of goods and quality assessment at the ports.

    Aniebonam, who spoke on behalf of the association, said the return of SON will help to identify substandard products in the market that are injurious to the public.

    He said that the importance of this exercise is enormous, considering the economic, health and safety implications of the public.

    “On weather SON should return to the port? I would say the presence of SON in the port is needed more than the presence of NAFDAC that are presently dominant at the port.

    “So, we are calling on the Federal Government to ensure that SON returns to the port; as we are aware of the harm substandard goods cause to the economy and safety of the people.

    “Our stand is that SON should be dominant in the port, while other agencies like NAFDAC should be called upon whenever their services are needed” he said.

    NAN reports that the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) had asked the officials of SON to vacate the seaports or risk being arrested.

    The NPA directive said was in line with a new order issued to the agency by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

    Aniebonam, however charged the Nigerian Shippers Council to prosecute shipping companies who refused to comply with the directive on return of container deposit to importers.

    NAN

  • Embark on e-transactions, Customs urged

    The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has urged the Nigeria Customs Service to embark on paperless transactions at the ports to reduce human contact and corruption.

    The Chairman, Tin Can Island Chapter of the association, Chief Austin Ekweozor, said paperless transactions would facilitate trade, eliminate corruption and promote efficiency.

    The NAGAFF chief said his association was ready to support the Customs in becoming IT-compliant, adding that it would help them separate the professionals from the quacks at the ports.

    “I see the ongoing movement for paperless transaction as a very good reform that can help this country. It will help our operations to improve, because carrying papers about does not help the system, but when you have your payment receipts and your print-outs, all the information you carry will be in the system and this will minimise the corrupt practices we are witnessing in  this country.

    “The introduction of the scheme will help us to know who is the agent and who are the touts in the port, if you cannot access Customs server and key into their system to perfect your document by yourself as an agent, then, it will show the type of job you do at the port as a real agent or quack,” he said.

    Ekweozor listed the merits of e-transaction, as  elimination of alterations on bill of lading and other importation documents, among others.

    He said paperless transactions would make officials of Customs, shipping companies and terminal operators more professional.

    “The last meeting we had with the CAC Tin Can, he told us they are working towards expanding the server to reduce the problems they usually have with it.

    “He promised us that they will invite expatriates that will look into the system to make sure that the capacity of information loaded into the server will be accumulated without any server failure. We are therefore, looking up to Customs to introduce the paperless scheme to their efficiency,” Ekweozor said.

  • Police partner agents on security

    Police partner agents on security

    THE Commissioner of Police in charge of the Western ports, Mrs Hilda Harrison, has urged stakeholders in port operations to give useful information to the police on port security, to assist the force in carrying out its duties.

    The female police chief however, warned that any operator who violates the rules would face the  music.

    She gave the warning at the National secretariat of the Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) in Lagos.

    She promised to reduce bribery and corruption in the port to boost maritime business.

    “We all see, we all do and we are doing nothing about it. It is so sad and so painful because bribery diminishes a man. It is very shameful.

    “If you fear God and respect yourself, you will not take bribe and you will not be corrupted,’’ she said.

    She said the law does not allow bribery and corruption and advised stakeholders to guard against it.

    She urged other agencies operating in the maritime sector to support the Police by ensuring that the security at the port is not compromised, adding that security at the seaports is a serious business that must not be violated.

    Her mandate, she said, is to ensure that stakeholders in the sector abide by the rules and regulations in the ports, noting that the ports have its restricted area .In his speech, the NAGAFF President Chief Eugene Nweke said that the association will continue to partner with police in ensuring that the seaports are adequately secured.

    He said NAGAFF is involved in public advocacy, noting that security at the ports is important  to boost cargo clearance.

  • Agents, importers kick over pre-shipment inspection

    Agents, importers kick over pre-shipment inspection

    The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), motor vehicle importers and intending car owners have kicked against the decision of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON)to subject all Nigeria-bound vehicles to pre-shipment inspection and verification before coming into the country.

    SON has already appointed three inspection companies: Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited, Quality Assurance Projects Limited and Medtech Scientific Limited, to carry out the assignment.

    The National President of NAGAFF Chief Eugene Nweke said  it was wrong for SON to impose additional levy on shippers through the new policy.

    He said NAGAFF in collaboration with the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) as well as intending car owners are not happy over the issue and urged the Federal Government to reconsider its stand on the issue.

    He said: “Where we do not agree is the arbitrary levies to be paid; you don’t just wake up one morning and impose levies. We want SON to tell us and the general public the index they used to arrive at a vehicle paying N20,000. Nigerian shippers and buyers are not idiots. If SON is living under that illusion, then, we need to the organisation up.

    “These are things that government should fund; it is an administrative issue, it is their obligation.”

    He said for SON to implement the pre-shipment contract, there is need to carry out a review of age limit on vehicles imported into the country. He noted that the quality assurance of the vehicles has already been taken into consideration at the time of manufacturing.

    Motor importers, car dealers and intending car owners described the introduction of the policy as a ploy tp provide “jobs for the boys”  because according to them, the destination inspection service providers are currently idle.

    An importer, Mr Yinka Akinlaja said SON is only seeking relevance at port after the Federal Government withdrew its services from port operations about two years ago.

    A pharmacist and and intending car owner, Tunayo Adetoro berates SON for introducing the policy as at the time when the cost of clearing vehicles at ports has soared.

    She said SON is looking for an avenue to find its way back to the ports, adding that payment of inspection levy on imported vehicles will add more to their cost and many Nigerians will find it difficult to own a vehicle of their choice.

     

  • NAGAFF accuses SON of threatening international trade

    NAGAFF accuses SON of threatening international trade

    The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has raised the alarm, over recent activities of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to destabilize international trade, noting that the SON was laying siege and arresting containers within the roads in Lagos State.

    Already, the group has forwarded a letter to this effect, to the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) and copied the Presidency, the Senate President and the Customs Comptroller General (CGC), among others, stressing the need for their urgent interventions, to prevent SON, from ruining the trade further.

    “We have noted, based on reports and complaints from the practicing freight forwarders, that the enforcement unit of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), over time, has laid siege and thereby arresting containers within the city roads of Lagos State, Nigeria”, the National  Deputy President, Ugochukwu Nnadi, indicated, recalling that the Federal Government of Nigeria had once directed some Government agencies including SON to operate from outside the ports and only be invited by Nigeria Customs Service if they show interest in any particular import if the need arises.

  • Group seeks harmonisation of laws

    The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) is seeking the harmonisation of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) guidelines.

    In a letter to the Minister of Transport Senator Idris Umar and his Finance counterpart, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the body urged them to set up a committee to address the issue.

    The letter, signed by its Secretary,  Increase Uche,  said the two legislations appear to be contradictory.

    He said: “Whereas the Customs law recognises corporate bodies licensed by Customs, primarily the CRFFN lays emphasis on individuals whose names appear in the register of freight forwarding firms.

    “These two legislative instruments appear to be in conflict because CEMA may not have recognised the nomenclature of freight forwarding practice, but licensed customs agents and importers, and exporters.”

    The group urged the senior government officials to set up a joint technical committee to harmonise the application of Customs law with freight forwarding Act 2007.  The licensing regulation of the Nigeria Customs Service under Section 153, 154, 155, 156 and its code, needs to be harmonised with the application of Section 19(a & b) of the CRFFN Act.

    “The point herein canvassed is to state the obvious that freight forwarding as a profession, may not materialise in reality and practice if CEMA and CRFFN operators do not sit down to harmonise positions,” Uche added.

  • NAGAFF to hold election

    The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) is set to hold election into its various offices in the Eastern Zone, after dissolving its executive.

    Rising after a 10-hour meeting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, last week, the National President, Chief Eugene Nweke, announced that election would be held in Area 1, Airport, Onne and Calabar chapters of the body.

    He said the meeting has agreed to hold the election early next year to further strengthen and reposition the association for a greater future.

    Nweke urged the electoral committee to kick-start the electioneering process which he said, must be in line with the provisions of their constitution.

    NAGAFF’s Chairman, Board of Trustees, Chidiebere Enelamah urged them to display the spirit of sportsmanship before, during and after the forthcoming elections.

    Mr Maxwell Ariyo was appointed as the head of the electoral committee.

  • Stick to your desk, Customs officials urged

    Founder, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, has charged officers of the Nigeria Customs Service to mind their areas of specialisation.

    He spoke at a lecture titled: Integrity and professionalism – A panacea for effective customs duty, for new Customs recruits at the Apapa Area Command.

    He said each custom officer has an area of comparative competence for which he has been specially trained, lamenting that most customs officers abandon their specialised areas.

    “What we find today is that most of the officers and men, for example, who should show professionalism in their jobs jettison this to dabble into areas that they are not best trained or assigned to.

    ‘’Many officers want to perform the function of a valuation officer as a good example. This arises from the fact that they believe that these are the areas that the “gravy” is. Integrity and professionalism is thrown to the dogs,” he said.

    He said customs officers, who do this, create a clog in the laid down cargo clearance procedures and hinder efficient trade facilitation.