ANLCA to engage government strategically to achieve better deals for members

ANLCA to engage government strategically to achieve better deals for members

Abiodun OBA

The National President of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Mr. Iju Tony Nwabunike, has assured members that the group will continue to engage government strategically at various levels to achieve better deals for them.

In his new year message, Nwabunike who praised the resilience of members during the Covid-19 disruption, confirmed that by being at work and staying compliant with Covid19 protocols throughout the periods when many others stayed at home, are functions of individual self discipline, corporate coordination and selflessness.

He said, “This selfless attributes was a factor driven and held beyond personal gain by you but aimed at ensuring needed cargoes ,including medical supplies exited our ports to their destined locations across the country.

“Even when the Federal Government provided free buses for us to access and exit ports, which in most cases weren’t enough, many of you were at work on your own at extra costs to you. You are appreciated.

“Our individual and collective resilience in keeping our ports working and making the total logistics chain functional during the periods of lockdown and movement restrictions, underscores the importance of our relevance as essential service providers,” Nwabunike stated.

ANLCA president called on other colleagues at all recently re-opened land borders who were not at work in year 2020 due to border closure to take a cue from customs brokers and freight forwarders at the sea and air ports.

He reminded members of the pending coronavirus second wave and the need to be on their guard.

“As we enter the new year, 2021 we must not lose our guards – A second wave of #Covid19 has been identified and detected. It has become imperative that we continue to take responsibility and act in line with clearly spelt out guidelines”.

“We, as professionals, interface with no fewer than 9 revenue collecting and regulatory agencies of government in the course of our professional services and will therefore be part of Nigeria’s success stories economically, as we have always been, albeit unsung.

“The impact of our activities on Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and many others reinforces our strategic role in government economic diversification agenda and increasing it’s non oil revenue base.

“We look forward to interfacing stronger with the Federal Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bank of Industry (BoI) on the need for a special loan scheme to help logistics firms in expanding and maintaining fleet of heavy duty and lighter vehicles required beyond coverage of train services.

“As the world evolve new and faster ways of doing things, we must strengthen the chords of e-commerce, online transactions, virtual meetings and deploying Internet of things (IoT) to maximal economic and productive use,” he advised.