ANLCA Western Zone Coordinator condemns members’ misdemeanour, apologises to PTML Customs

By Abiodun OBA

The Zonal Coordinator West, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Alhaji Femi Anifowose has apologised for miscreants storming PTML terminal during the CGC visits passing derogatory remarks while the CGC addressed freight forwarders.

Anifowoshe condemned the action when he led other union national officers to the Custom Comptroller, Compt Yusuf at PTML Terminal.

has hit the ground running with his latest visit to three chapters of the association in a bid to tackle members operational challenges.

In a statement by the Secretary of the Zone, Alhaji Idowu Owoade, the Comptroller in response, condemned the actions displayed by the ANLCA members, despite his efforts in taking the CGC around the terminal to see for himself the situations on ground.

Yusuf lamented that the essence was to create a soft landing in the revenue drive, but the motive was jeopadised by the aggrieved ANLCA members.

Also speaking, the Secretary of the Presidential Committee on Customs and Agent Relations, Alhaji Bayo Oyekangun delivered ANLCA President’s goodwill messages to the Comptroller and also appealed to the entire PTML custom management that such arrogant display will never happen again.

He recounted the effort of the CGC in resolving ANLCA’s 5-year crisis within a short time, saying that the association cannot afford to destabilize the system that feeds its members.

The Zonal Coordinator, Alhaji Anifowose later decorated the Area Comptroller with ANLCA lapel.

At Apapa Customs Command where members were received by Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeola and his management team, the zonal coordinator intimated the Comptroller of the operational challenges confronting ANLCA members in the hands of customs officers and terminal operators.

Such include alerts from CPC, CIU, Valuation units, enforcement unit, scanning seat and delays at the exit gate.

The Secretary of Custom and Agents Relation Alh Bayo Oyekangun harped on the need for the Area Comptroller to address those issues in line with the CGC promise of facilitation of trade through ease of doing business to create an enabling environment for importers and exporters within the zone.

The Area Comptroller in his response promised to address the issues and expressed happiness for ANLCA coming out from its 5-year long crisis through the help of the CGC.

Compt Jaiyeola said his doors are open for members who have genuine declarations and that he is ready to solve problems.

He equally promised to address the issue of scanning delay inside the terminals among others.

The team later proceeded to Five Star Logistics Terminal to address the notification of increase in terminal charges and other operational challenges by the terminal operator.

The Five Star Logistics Terminal was represented by the General Manager who in his opinion said the terminal did not have control over the increments in its charges and that there is no way they can increase without the knowledge of Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC).

He advised ANLCA team to channel its grievances to the shippers council concerning the increment.

Mr Chucks Okereafor, the Customer Relations Manager of the terminal also appealed to ANLCA to allow the increment in charges to stay, adding that there has been an increase in the operational cost of running the ports.

He further emphasized the fact that Five Star Logistics Terminal is the only terminal operator that waived almost 90% of the demurrage on overtime vehicles and cargoes.

In response, Anifowose said the management should delay implementing the proposed increments slated for 15th October 2023 pending ANLCA’s meeting with the NSC.

He also requested for 2-day additional grace period on terminal charges instead of the 1-day granted.

On the two requests, the management promised to make a review and get back to the executives before the implementation of the increments.

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