The following is excerpted from a notice issued by the ANLCA on 29 September 2014. It provides an interesting overview of the significant issues faced by our customs broker colleagues and their association in Nigeria. All member associations are encouraged to share news of their activities with the IFCBA Secretariat.
A joint meeting of the National Executive Committee (NECOM) and the Board of Trustees (BOT) of ANLCA was held on Tuesday, 23rd of September 2014 at the Dr. Taiwo Afolabi Conference Hall of Dikko Inde House, ANLCA National Secretariat.
The joint meeting was at the instance of the BOT. The Chairman of BOT- Chief Henry Njoku, tabled the following issues for discussion: Operational challenges in the Ports and the continuing intimidation of licensed Customs Agents by Custom officers; Annual financial returns and accounts to be resuscitated and completed for auditor’s report’s conclusion; welfare of member/licensed agents; welfare packages for workers/appointees at the National secretariat; resuscitation, funding and subsequent independence of the Customs Agent Magazine; sources of steady income, to sustain administration/activities of the National Secretariat; commissioning of the Dikko Inde house Permanent Secretariat of ANLCA and seeming exclusion at the final stages, of the BOT and non-recognition of the project committee members.
Other issues brought up for discussion are: the 35% automotive policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria needs reappraisal, as its effect on members will be heavy; the constitutionally provided 10% of income into ANLCA coffers, should be remitted as at when due, to BOT; the two versions of ANLCA supreme constitution should be harmonized into one; and the Forthcoming Eastern Zone chapters’ elections, calls for an audit committee to look into the financial transactions of those Chapters, as demanded by the constitution.
Responding on behalf of NECOM- the National President- Prince Olayiwola Shittu, with some contributions from members in attendance, reported, to the admiration of attendees, that a structure is evolving currently, designed to handle the multitude of problems in the Ports. This will involve the issuance of passwords tied to approved, operating licensed Customs Agencies and the commencement of sustained training of agents, alongside customs officers, which is scheduled to commence in November 2014.
The National Vice President- Kingsley Emenike Nwokeoji advised members to tread softly on their criticism of PAAR, as the document cannot be a final document for clearing purposes. The reason been that PAAR is prepared and issued based on documents, by the importer. The integrity of the documents can only be sustained, if on examination, contents of the cargo tallies completely, with the documents initially presented. It was advised that importers should be honest in their declarations/imports and raise their integrity level in trade compliance. Other noticeable challenges involving PAAR and trade facilitation will continuously be addressed with the customs high command, until PAAR becomes a onetime cargo clearance document, as Nigeria inches towards e-transaction in cargo clearance.
Commendations flowed ceaselessly to the National President, from members at the meeting, for the achievement of the Permanent National Secretariat. Prince Shittu promptly reminded members that it was a collective achievement, because every member/agency contributed at least N50,000.00 to acquire the edifice. He in turn congratulated members for the achievement too.