Avoid Ports If You Have Nothing to Clear, Aniebonam Advises Freight Forwarders
*Assures Shippers Council, CRFFN, NPA working hard to safeguard cargos at ports
*Urges customs to ensure trade facilitation
Meanwhile the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has called on freight forwarders who have nothing to clear to keep off the ports environment.
Founder of the association, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam said the advice has become necessary for their own safety.
Aniebonam also called on the members of the association to reach out to the executive members if they have any operational issues.
He assured freight forwarders that the Nigerian Shippers Council , the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFN) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) were all working round the clock to ensure the security of cargo at the ports.
Aniebonam equally called on the Nigeria Customs Service to ensure trade facilitation during this period of coronavirus in respect of those ready to clear their goods at the portsl.
In a statement, Aniebonam said, “This is to advise the entire workforce of FREIGHT FORWARDING practioners operating at the western ports of NIGERIA to stay off the ports environment if he or she does not have a defined responsibility to carry out within the customs ports.
“This has become necessary for your safety and protection from the presidential directives ports . Meanwhile wherever you might be keep safe and follow all instructions. Meanwhile get in touch with members of the executive COUNCIL of Nagaff should you have any operational issue. We just been told that some of the banks are not taking responsibility to deal with issues relating to form m registration. This information has passed on to the executive secretary of NSC and Registra of Crffn to investigate and a follow-up thereto. We also have it on good authority from the ES of NSC that coaster buses are being deployed at strategic locations in LAGOS to help young FREIGHT FORWARDERS for easy of transportation to the ports. We appreciate the NIGERIA shippers COUNCIL in this regard. We do hope that Npa and Crffn mgt should equally add value to enhance transportation related matters which indeed shall make this operation seamless while observing distancing instructions. Take note that top MGT officers of Nagaff are seated at nagaff HQRS if you desire their attention in time of difficulties.
“ Indeed we are in close contact with the comptroller General of customs and other top MGT officers of the service including area commands should you notice absence of an absenteeism. That equally goes with other government agencies assigned to the ports like NPF, SON , NAFDAC AND NDLEA ETC . We can make this process peaceful and orderly to appreciate the magnanimity of Mr PRESIDENT in this trying time. It is all about sacrifices for our nation and lives of Nigerians and others living in our country.
“ Let it be told that Crffn, Nsc and Npa are working round the clock to ensure the security of cargo and freight FORWARDING practioners in this trying time. It is our hope that the NIGERIA customs service shall take up responsibility to direct its officers and men in this trying time to deploy all tools of trade facilitation principles within tolerable limit. This simply means that the ncs can evoke its powers as contained under section 27 and 28 of cema ( bill of sight) to deal with cargo clearance out of customs control at the western ports . It is the opinion of nagaff that under this critical circumstances in our nation’s life that every effort and sacrifices have to be made by the public and private sector groups. And for the records PAAR is an advisory document and risk management tool for the service operations. But the truth remains that proper customs examination is the arbiter on matters of untrue declarations for customs purposes. While appreciating the humanitarian nature of Mr PRESIDENT especially as it affects the poor one’s the truth remains that the issues of stemming the rampaging CORONAVIRUS must not be half measures. Nagaff is still advising that all commercial activities at the customs ports and border locations must stop for the next 21 days. This is because the policy of social distancing cannot work at customs ports at moment . Let us not be deceived by anybody speaking from our informed position. About 20yrs ago nagaff advised government about establishment of truck terminals when we noted the 2nd degree of our port development wherein factories were springing up within the port domain. Nobody listened and today it is major problem with the trumped up call up system. What we are again advising is that our ports should be shutdown to commercial activities. This is the time to appreciate the establishment of our TERMINALS ment to cushon issues of port CONGESTION. In other words the GOVERNMENT should shutdown every commercial activities and move the incoming cargo to the outer terminals with few numbers of dedicated staff and haulage trucks. We can then ensure that any body coming into NIGERIA at our entry points can be properly screened. Nagaff is worried that any half measures on our part to stem the tide of CORONAVIRUS may place us in the same template with Italy God forbid. Nagaff is aware the need for government revenue but to us mr PRESIDENT should not worry himself because those who stole all our money the majority is in NIGERIA since they can not escape to other countries. And if they want to escape with their private jets it’s only mr PRESIDENT that shall give such approval and we know he will never do so . As far as nagaff is concerned the PRESIDENTIAL speech was very clear to the extent that the ports were technically shutdown. And for the FREIGHT FORWARDING practioners take note that our principals are seated in the comfort of their homes and push you to the ports where social distancing policy directives may be in breach. It is the duty of nagaff to protect all its members and indeed Mr president did not ask us to do so in his declaration. However because we are human being we are at liberty to make choice which may be good or bad depending on our need. It is the belief of nagaff that practioners are being lured to the ports for bribe taking to continue. Be that as it may we want to thank the executive secretary of NIGERIA shippers COUNCIL, the MD NIGERIA ports authority and the Registrar of CRFFN who have been making every effort to secure the life of FREIGHT FORWARDERS and logistics SERVICES thereto to lessen their avoidable hardship in the customs ports at the moment. We equally want to appeal to the CGC to direct the DCG ENF AND TARIFF &TRADE to relocate to LAGOS and oversee all operations within this two weeks and as the case may be to enhance trade facilitation principles in reality. Once again nagaff wishes to advise all FREIGHT practioners to follow the PRESIDENT advocacy and instructions and that of the special taskforce to be alive. Keep safe” .
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