**says Buhari administration’s harsh policies against to trade facilitation.
The Acting National President of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Dr. Kayode Farinto has warned Licensed Customs Agents not to engage in facilitating clearance of illicit drugs in the ports.
Dr. Farinto who gave the warning at the National Executive Council(NEC) Meeting of ANLCA held at its National Secretariat in Lagos Thursday said as patriotic Nigerians they should avoid clearing of psychotropic substances and sub-standard goods in the ports.
He noted that importation of illicit drugs and psychotropic substances into the country have increased tremendously in our ports, stressing that as Licensed Customs Agents, they should ensure that they and their staff do not facilitate clearance of such dugs.
The ANLCA Acting National President revealed that the association had designed a form known as ‘Indeminity Form’ which will be given to their importers to sign, whenever they collect their bill of lading to protect themselves in case offensive items are eventually found in the container.
On the state of the Industry, Dr. Farinto who is also an honourable member of the governing board of CRFFN, lamented that the Buhari led administration’s harsh conditions imposed on the Maritime Industry has affected negatively both freight forwarders and trade facilitation.
“The Buhari led administration has failed us in the Maritime Industry, Freight Forwarders are the most bashed, courtesy of unfriendly policies, deliberately imposing hash conditions on the Maritime Industry, overtaking the cargo and even operators.”
“It will not be out of place if we say that we have never had it so bad. Professional colleague’s facilitation of trade is deliberately jettisoned to achieve revenue targets and as a result of this level of importation continue to drop”,he opined.
He further posited that the appointment of non – career officer is an aberration which according to him has made Customs to perform below standard and advocated henceforth that the appointment of Comptroller of Customs Service should be from amongst the senior officers of the Service.
Photo:. Acting. ANLCA President, Dr. Kayode Farinto
