Aniebonam: Adeniyi Should Focus on Promoting Trade Facilitation, Not on Revenue Target
*Says CG should empower zonal officers, save agents from risk of travelling to Abuja
*Describes Adeniyi as international customs officer
By Francis Ugwoke
The Founder, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders(NAGAFF), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, has advised the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to focus more on promoting trade facilitation instead of emphasis on meeting annual revenue target.
Aniebonam said that over the years, what most of the former Comptroller-Generals have done was laying more emphasis on revenue target.
Congratulating Adeniyi for his new position, Aniebonam said the Customs CG should do more on improving on trade facilitation as it affects the Customs Service.
He explained that once efficient trade facilitation is achieved, it will go a long way in contributing to the much expected rise in revenue for the Customs.
The NAGAFF founder while noting that the intention of every business man was to always make profit, said what the Customs should insist on was to ensure that importers comply with laid down rules and regulations on trade.
According to him, every effort should be made to ensure that customs officers are discouraged from conniving with those they are supposed to be checking against trade malpractices.
He said at all times, what the customs should be doing is to enthrone transparency by ensuring that the right thing is done.
Aniebonam also called on the Customs boss to give more powers to the Zonal Coordinators so that they can handle cases which usually are taken to Abuja headoffice of the Customs.
He said this will save importers and their customs agents the risk, time and money of having to settle cases that can easily be treated by the Zonal coordinators.
“Our members are everyday taking risks to go to Abuja to go and settle issues. We think that the best is that such issues can be handled by the Zonal Coordinators who are also appointed by the Customs CG. It will save us the risk, time and money involved in such journey. The new CG can address this problem for us and freight forwarders will not forget it in a hurry”, he said.
According to him, it does not make sense that customs agents have to travel to Abuja just to renew their licences or settle other issues.
The Founder also advised the Customs boss to consider as important paying visits to agencies and different associations to meet stakeholders, particularly customs agents who collect revenue for the customs service.
He recalled that this was the practice by former CGCs, adding that this has a way of strengthening robust relationship between the customs Service and freight forwarders.
Aniebonam also appealed to freight forwarders to be honest in their declarations to avoid having issues while clearing their goods.
Congratulating Adeniyi for the new position, Aniebonam said he is very sure that he will do well.
He described Adeniyi as both international and seasoned customs officer.
*Describes Adeniyi as international customs officer
By Francis Ugwoke
The Founder, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders(NAGAFF), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, has advised the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to focus more on promoting trade facilitation instead of emphasis on meeting annual revenue target.
Aniebonam said that over the years, what most of the former Comptroller-Generals have done was laying more emphasis on revenue target.
Congratulating Adeniyi for his new position, Aniebonam said the Customs CG should do more on improving on trade facilitation as it affects the Customs Service.
He explained that once efficient trade facilitation is achieved, it will go a long way in contributing to the much expected rise in revenue for the Customs.
The NAGAFF founder while noting that the intention of every business man was to always make profit, said what the Customs should insist on was to ensure that importers comply with laid down rules and regulations on trade.
According to him, every effort should be made to ensure that customs officers are discouraged from conniving with those they are supposed to be checking against trade malpractices.
He said at all times, what the customs should be doing is to enthrone transparency by ensuring that the right thing is done.
Aniebonam also called on the Customs boss to give more powers to the Zonal Coordinators so that they can handle cases which usually are taken to Abuja headoffice of the Customs.
He said this will save importers and their customs agents the risk, time and money of having to settle cases that can easily be treated by the Zonal coordinators.
“Our members are everyday taking risks to go to Abuja to go and settle issues. We think that the best is that such issues can be handled by the Zonal Coordinators who are also appointed by the Customs CG. It will save us the risk, time and money involved in such journey. The new CG can address this problem for us and freight forwarders will not forget it in a hurry”, he said.
According to him, it does not make sense that customs agents have to travel to Abuja just to renew their licences or settle other issues.
The Founder also advised the Customs boss to consider as important paying visits to agencies and different associations to meet stakeholders, particularly customs agents who collect revenue for the customs service.
He recalled that this was the practice by former CGCs, adding that this has a way of strengthening robust relationship between the customs Service and freight forwarders.
Aniebonam also appealed to freight forwarders to be honest in their declarations to avoid having issues while clearing their goods.
Congratulating Adeniyi for the new position, Aniebonam said he is very sure that he will do well.
He described Adeniyi as both international and seasoned customs officer.
FOLLOW US
About Post Author
