ANLCA President Laments 10,000 Job Losses by Freight Forwrders, Tasks FG on Reopening of Land Borders
The President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Iju Tony Nwabunike Monday called on the federal government to consider urgent reopening of the closed land borders.
Nwabunike said this has become necessary considering the planned take-off of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in January.
He said reopening the border will enable Nigerians benefit from the AfCFTA like other countries involved in the agreement.
He argued that Nigerian businesses will be placed at a disadvantage if the land borders remain closed.
In a statement, Nwabunike said there should be a gradual reopening of the border in preparation for the AfCFTA take off.
He expressed worry that no fewer than 10,000 jobs have been lost by freight forwarders as a result of the closure, adding that similarly N130bn businesses have been affected as a result of the over year closure of the border.
The ANLCA President disclosed that the association had an interaction with some Senators over allegtion of National Assembly members interfering in cargo clearing.
Part of the statement reads, “After closed-door interactions, it was mutually agreed between ANLCA and members of the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise that it negates due process for lawmakers to be involved in cargo clearing.
“Chairman of the committee, Senator Francis Alimikhena gave his words that all cargo clearance hitherto stalled with shipping companies due to the committee’s activities and correspondence will be allowed to be processed in line with extant regulations.”
Nwabunike said this has become necessary considering the planned take-off of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in January.
He said reopening the border will enable Nigerians benefit from the AfCFTA like other countries involved in the agreement.
He argued that Nigerian businesses will be placed at a disadvantage if the land borders remain closed.
In a statement, Nwabunike said there should be a gradual reopening of the border in preparation for the AfCFTA take off.
He expressed worry that no fewer than 10,000 jobs have been lost by freight forwarders as a result of the closure, adding that similarly N130bn businesses have been affected as a result of the over year closure of the border.
The ANLCA President disclosed that the association had an interaction with some Senators over allegtion of National Assembly members interfering in cargo clearing.
Part of the statement reads, “After closed-door interactions, it was mutually agreed between ANLCA and members of the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise that it negates due process for lawmakers to be involved in cargo clearing.
“Chairman of the committee, Senator Francis Alimikhena gave his words that all cargo clearance hitherto stalled with shipping companies due to the committee’s activities and correspondence will be allowed to be processed in line with extant regulations.”
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