Ports: Ex-NAGAFF President Demands Change, Patriotism from New Customs Controllers
DR. EUGENE NWEKE
*Calls for promotion of fluidity in cargo clearance flow
By Francis Ugwoke
The former President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Eugene Nweke. has urged the newly appointed Customs Controllers to see their positions as a call to national duty and therefore one requiring patriotism for the good of the country and Nigerians.
Nweke who is Vice Chairman, Customs Consultative Committee said their appointment came after the covid 19 pandemic challenges which placed so much pressure on the economic growth of nations, including Nigeria that is grappling with its own share of the challenges in a peculiar dimension.
He identified some of the challenges being faced in doing business in Nigeria as high costs resulting in inflation that has lowered purchasing power of the citizens and undue hardship, adding that the new controllers should take all these into consideration while doing their job.
He identified other challenges being faced in Nigeria as:
● Non-firm monetary policies regulatory obligations in the face of fiscal space;
● The incidences of capital flights diminishing our balance of trade performance, the persistent drug and arms trafficking – with its associated insecurity threats;
● The increasing war against the influx of counterfeited products – with its inherent threats to local manufacturing capacity;
● The trade facilitation challenges – in the face of high non- compliance level on the part of the trading public and
the higher yearly revenue generation targets and quest by the government – amidst global recession, etc.
In view of these, the former NAGAFF President urged the Controllers to bring to play patriotism and professional counsel in their new positions.
He was of the view that the stakeholders should be able to introduce changes that will improve trade facilitation in their different Commands.
He particularly advised on the need “for consistent leveraging on inter agency collaboration and strategic stakeholders engagements, deployment of technology driven initiatives in critical aspects, if not in all areas of cargo handling operations and trade administration, thus further the culture of trade facilitation and exploring positive political supports”.
In a statement made available to SHIPPING DAY, Nweke pointed out that certain operations or experimental tools with adhoc nature, that have over-stayed their welcome should be jettisoned so as to promote fluidity in the cargo clearance flow.
Part of the statement reads:
“ Furthermore, the reason for reemphasizing on these ideals is because, on the part of stakeholders, it is of a great expectations, believes and concerns that, notwithstanding the prevalence of seeming challenges within the international trade supply chain, especially within the customs ports, it is incumbent on all of you to technically, professionally and pragmatically find ways to turn the present difficulties, challenges, negative situations into a positive and productive one for the common good of all. It is not an overstatement to say that, your actions and inactions in relation to the international trade and security supply chain has both direct and indirect impacts on the overlaboured and impoverished Nigerians.
“ Notably, internal administrative strong will must be enhanced to engender political strong will. In this regards, there is need to point out that, certain operations or experimental tools with adhoc nature, that has over stayed its welcome, should be jettisoned forth with, so as to promote fluidity in the cargo clearance flow. I strongly believe that, with the adoption of the SMART BODER CONCEPT; the INSTALLATION OF RAPISCAN MOBILE SCANNERS ACROSS THE PORT TERMINALS AND THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FORENSIC APPLICATION IN TRADE TREATMENTS, it is no longer a necessary option patronizing a trade impediments arrangement. It is a high time to free the cargo delivery corridor with undue bottlenecks and associated delays. I am quite confident that, if we are committed in this regards, we can do and perform much better in facilitation of trade without compromising security and revenue objectives. Obviously, most of you have better understanding, intents and the workings of the systems audit in relation to manifest administration, hence, it suffices, that cargo alerting system should be centralized where necessary, as it were at the inception of the PAAR Regime.
“ Also, may I opine that, certain administrative policies which in reality are now consigned to the realm of counter productive in trade administration, should be revisted with an attitude of maximizing and achieving operational excellence.
“Going forward, it is believed that, under your tenure, the much canvassed Single Window adoption and implementation should be taken to the next level for the interest of the nation.
“It is on this few note, that, I wish to once again say a big congratulations to all of you and pray the Almighty God to endure you all with strength and wisdom in service and protection in all ramifications as you dedicate yourselves in service to our Father Land. Do have a successful tenure in office”.
By Francis Ugwoke
The former President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Eugene Nweke. has urged the newly appointed Customs Controllers to see their positions as a call to national duty and therefore one requiring patriotism for the good of the country and Nigerians.
Nweke who is Vice Chairman, Customs Consultative Committee said their appointment came after the covid 19 pandemic challenges which placed so much pressure on the economic growth of nations, including Nigeria that is grappling with its own share of the challenges in a peculiar dimension.
He identified some of the challenges being faced in doing business in Nigeria as high costs resulting in inflation that has lowered purchasing power of the citizens and undue hardship, adding that the new controllers should take all these into consideration while doing their job.
He identified other challenges being faced in Nigeria as:
● Non-firm monetary policies regulatory obligations in the face of fiscal space;
● The incidences of capital flights diminishing our balance of trade performance, the persistent drug and arms trafficking – with its associated insecurity threats;
● The increasing war against the influx of counterfeited products – with its inherent threats to local manufacturing capacity;
● The trade facilitation challenges – in the face of high non- compliance level on the part of the trading public and
the higher yearly revenue generation targets and quest by the government – amidst global recession, etc.
In view of these, the former NAGAFF President urged the Controllers to bring to play patriotism and professional counsel in their new positions.
He was of the view that the stakeholders should be able to introduce changes that will improve trade facilitation in their different Commands.
He particularly advised on the need “for consistent leveraging on inter agency collaboration and strategic stakeholders engagements, deployment of technology driven initiatives in critical aspects, if not in all areas of cargo handling operations and trade administration, thus further the culture of trade facilitation and exploring positive political supports”.
In a statement made available to SHIPPING DAY, Nweke pointed out that certain operations or experimental tools with adhoc nature, that have over-stayed their welcome should be jettisoned so as to promote fluidity in the cargo clearance flow.
Part of the statement reads:
“ Furthermore, the reason for reemphasizing on these ideals is because, on the part of stakeholders, it is of a great expectations, believes and concerns that, notwithstanding the prevalence of seeming challenges within the international trade supply chain, especially within the customs ports, it is incumbent on all of you to technically, professionally and pragmatically find ways to turn the present difficulties, challenges, negative situations into a positive and productive one for the common good of all. It is not an overstatement to say that, your actions and inactions in relation to the international trade and security supply chain has both direct and indirect impacts on the overlaboured and impoverished Nigerians.
“ Notably, internal administrative strong will must be enhanced to engender political strong will. In this regards, there is need to point out that, certain operations or experimental tools with adhoc nature, that has over stayed its welcome, should be jettisoned forth with, so as to promote fluidity in the cargo clearance flow. I strongly believe that, with the adoption of the SMART BODER CONCEPT; the INSTALLATION OF RAPISCAN MOBILE SCANNERS ACROSS THE PORT TERMINALS AND THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FORENSIC APPLICATION IN TRADE TREATMENTS, it is no longer a necessary option patronizing a trade impediments arrangement. It is a high time to free the cargo delivery corridor with undue bottlenecks and associated delays. I am quite confident that, if we are committed in this regards, we can do and perform much better in facilitation of trade without compromising security and revenue objectives. Obviously, most of you have better understanding, intents and the workings of the systems audit in relation to manifest administration, hence, it suffices, that cargo alerting system should be centralized where necessary, as it were at the inception of the PAAR Regime.
“ Also, may I opine that, certain administrative policies which in reality are now consigned to the realm of counter productive in trade administration, should be revisted with an attitude of maximizing and achieving operational excellence.
“Going forward, it is believed that, under your tenure, the much canvassed Single Window adoption and implementation should be taken to the next level for the interest of the nation.
“It is on this few note, that, I wish to once again say a big congratulations to all of you and pray the Almighty God to endure you all with strength and wisdom in service and protection in all ramifications as you dedicate yourselves in service to our Father Land. Do have a successful tenure in office”.
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