NAGAFF alleges Customs of frustrating container transfer at KLT

The Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) chapter of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has expressed dissatisfaction over how the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Tincan Customs command, Comptroller MBA Musa selects the cargoes that should be stemmed to the chapter even after an importer has indicated that he wants his consignment to go to the terminal.

The leadership of NAGAFF at the chapter posited that such unilateral decision is inimical to trade facilitation.

KLT NAGAFF chairman, Engr. Emmanuel Umadi in a chat with newsmen on Tuesday, accused the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller MBA Musa of being selective in signing containers to be stemmed to the dry port.

Umadi alleged that the practice by has frustrated shippers from patronising Lagos ports adding that the act is unprofessional thereby negates World Trade Organization (WTO), Conventions.

According to him, the immediate past Area Controller, Comptroller Bashir Abubakar was instrumental towards ensuring seamless process of stemming of containers to Kirikiri facilities, but alleged that the reverse is the case with the current area controller.

He lamented that since the deployment of the Area customs chief, there has been issues on stemming of containers to off dock terminals and other units where revenue drive and trade facilitation can be sustained effectively.

The Chairman reiterated that the alleged practice by the customs is unacceptable for transpires not be signed by the controller noting that personal decision or interest by him poses serious danger to the nation’s economy.

Umadi called on the Area Controller to create an enabling environment for business at the port to thrive, noting that importers cannot be compelled to patronise his command in order to meet up with revenue collection.

“Customs is customs everywhere .So I don’t understand how the process of transfer would affect revenue leakages.

“Duty payment is guaranteed if the containers are stemmed to KLT and even the KLT Command has little or nothing to do so why frustrate importers and freight forwarders who wish to do business at KLT?

“It is totally unacceptable by freight forwarders; it is totally unacceptable by the constitution of Nigeria because as a remittal collector, you are supposed to sign the necessary transpire documents on boxes which does not stop the customs from checkmating the containers wherever they are transferred to.

“The Area Controller refuses to give reasons why he chooses not to sign transpire of some containers for reasons best known to him. There have been several meeting with him on these issues but we cannot pinpoint why he declines to sign most of these containers and we are not comfortable with it.

“If transpire is being held by a customs Controller then the country will be affected with hardship and high cost of doing business in the ports as well as Nigeria economic,” he lamented.

While reacting to the allegations levelled against the command, Public Relations Officer of the Tincan command, Mr. Uche Ejesieme stated that the shippers and agents have the right to determine where consignments should be designated.

Ejesieme maintained that the command is yet to confirm applications on transfer of cargoes to other facilities adding that there are procedures on stemming of consignments.

He further recalled that management had issued a circular on issues of transpires in 2018 stressing that “the circular is extant and I don’t think the impressions that are given are actual facts.

“Controller cannot take laws into his hands, he is somebody that understands the nitty gritty of the job and he is somebody that would not want to do something contrary to the extent it will become counterproductive.

He noted that the shipping companies cannot be isolated in the process of stemming of containers to Kirikiri Lighter Terminal.

Ejesieme said the gap might have emanated from documentations and not necessarily the command’s boss as being speculated.