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Angry Customs broker alleges extortion of N300,000 on  end-user certificate by Apapa Customs officers.

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Chinazor Megbolu

A chieftain of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Mr. Anthony Anakebe, has accused officers of the Apapa Customs of engaging in an end-user certificate racketeering in which they extort each Customs agent to the tune of N300,000 to issue an unsigned certificate.

The angry Customs broker was, therefore, seeking an end to what he described as the unwholesome practice at the premier command.
Anakebe, during an exclusive phone chat with our correspondent, accused the officers of milking agents unnecessarily by demanding up to N300,000 because of an unstamped end-user certificate.
He also called on the Controller of the Command, Comptroller Abba Kura, to wade into the matter with immediate effect and do the needful by cautioning the officers.
“The Controller should wade into it with immediate effect because the officers’ action is delaying clearing of goods in the ports and secondly, officers are milking agents unnecessarily.
“Imagine an officer of the NCS demanding N300,000 from us because of unstamped r certificate.
“So, I don’t know why we should be writing application and delaying a lot of industries that need raw materials to work.
“They are not helping issues in that Apapa. Abba Kura should immediately wade into the matter and make sure that such officers are cautioned,” he said.
Anakebe, while stating that end-user certificate is being issued by the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), however, said once it’s gotten, it will automatically be on the Data Central System (DCS).
According to him; “End-user certificate is being issued by the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA). If you get it, it’s already on the Data Central System (DCS).
“So, you have goods to clear in Onne/Port Harcourt and you go online, they will minus the one you imported and put the remaining balance.
“So, I don’t know if because they didn’t put physical stamp on it, that’s why Apapa NCS should now use it as a yardstick to punish agents and demanding up to N300,000 for them to jerk it up.
“Jerking up of each certificate can’t delay clearing of goods as long as end-user is genuine.
“The Controller should wade into the matter as soon as possible and stop the extortion in that place,” Anakebe said.

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