NAGAFF Headquarters Distances Self from CG’s Appeal Over 2,000 Trapped Containers

By ZION Olalekan

The National Headquarters of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has expressed a separate opinion on the recent circular issued by the Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali saying that all containers with discrepancies in documentation should not be released.

The association through its Public Relations Officer, Stanley Ezenga stated yesterday that rather than beg for amnesty, the affected containers should be sanctioned appropriately for breaching Customs procedure.

Ezenga stated that “It is to us that the fear of stakeholders is as to what happens to the goods in the office of DCG T&T.  It is statutory for DCG T&T to collect maximum revenue and penalty to be equally paid for breaching Customs laws.

“Except those with goods falling under prohibition list, trade or absolute prohibition, the law is very clear on the subject matter which shall include seizure and prosecution of offender.

“The mischief of the present circumstances which the Customs authority wants to cure is to ensure due compliance to import and export regulation of Government of Nigeria and Customs laws in particular.

“It is therefore our advice that all practitioners should ensure proper documentation and compliance to genuine declaration for Customs purpose. This is the way to go as professionals and for the interest of the investments of shippers and trade as a whole in the Customs ports”.

Alhaji Tanko Ibrahim Vice-president, Western Zone of NAGAFF had in statement yesterday canvassed that amnesty for containers caught in third party clearance saga.

According to him, these are containers which have discrepancies on consignees’ names on clearing documents such as Single Goods Declaration (SGD), Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) and Bill of Lading.

He said “Over 2000 containers which unfortunately fall under this category are currently trapped at Apapa port.

“Many more, the numbers of which we cannot immediately determine, are similarly held at other ports and border posts across the country.

“In the same veins, these trapped containers are capable of causing congestion which may slow down the process of goods clearance at the port.

“This is not to talk of the mounting demurrages the trapped containers will attract from both the shipping companies and terminal operators.

“It is in the light of this that the association is seeking a reprieve on behalf of our members who are involved in this unwholesome practice”

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