It was a week of serious activities for the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders(NAGAFF) 100% Compliance Team as it flagged off and embarked on the proposed nationwide Tour of Bonded Terminals in the Western Zone.
The Team within the week, visited Six Bonded terminals which include, Mid Maritime, SIFAX 1 & 2, Classic, Clarion and AML terminals.
The visit was opposed by some of the terminals, as they refused them entry into their premises, claiming not being informed officially.
However, the Team was joyfully welcomed by most Customs Officials at the terminals. They commended the initiative which according DC F.N Num, in charge of SIFAX 2 under Tin can Island Command and Mohammed Usman Bappa of the clarion Terminal, would make the job easier for both Customs , importers, freight forwarders and Shippers.
DC Num expressed hope that the Compliance level which stood at 50% per cent now, would get to 100% in no distant time and urged the team to enforce compliance on their members.
“Since you have decided to do the right thing, you are making our jobs easier. Most of the problem is false declaration by freight forwarders which we have always advised against.”
“For instance, there is no point in carrying bottles and you declare paper; They are not the same rate of Duty. I am glad the Compliance Team has taken it upon itself to help make our job easier.”
At AML Terminal, the Officer in charge, DC Abang acted unruly to the august visitors, by refusing bluntly to interact with them, insisting they must obtain a permit from the Command CAC before he could listen to them.
Some NAGAFF members in AML terminal had earlier complained about Abang’s arrogance as well as accused him of Corruption, while briefing the National Coordinator and his team on the situation of things there on arrival .
The national Coordinator ,Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko while speaking to Journalists shortly after the visit felt impressed with the friendly disposition of DC Clarion Terminal, Mohammed Usman Bappa and his SIFAX 1 Terminal, counterpart, D C Num who gave them their total support .
Tanko who expressed disappointment over the behavior of some of the members as revealed by DC Usman, promised to addressed the issue to avoid future occurrence.
He however condemned the attitude of DC AML terminal towards the Compliance Team, adding that his attitude is suggestive of him doing the wrong thing. He made it clear that they were not established to witch-hunt port operators, rather to partner with them to facilitate trade and to ensure total compliance to trade rules.
According to him, “We want to help Customs generate their revenue target and we will make sure importers and shippers provide 100 per cent true declaration. We have also reach out to other government agencies at the ports to help enhance the ease of doing business at the ports and to inform them of our 10 point agenda.”
“Some of the bonded terminals who see us as threats don’t even have what it takes to own such facilities because as you can see by yourself that they lack some of the required equipment to run the terminal.”, he concluded.
Our Correspondent who covered the visits reports that most of the premises of the bonded terminals were below standard,as they were flooded with rain water and were quite unkept, while some do not have the required space for containers.
