Form” M” controversy: Airport Customs flays calls for Shoboiki removal

Funso Olojo ~

The Murtala Muhammed Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has condemned the call for the removal of Mrs Jayne Shoboiki, the Area Controller of the command over the introduction of Form’ M’ to the clearance procedures at the Airport.

In a press statement made available to nigeriamaritime360.com by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Ephraim Joseph Haruna, the command alleged that the call for Shoboiki’s removal was being orchestrated by some members of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) led by its Vice President in charge of Air Logistics, Western Zone, Segun Musa.

The Command revealed that the grouse the sponsors of the call had against the CAC was the introduction of Form M, failure of the CAC to brief them before the introduction of NICIS 2 and her alleged preference to deal with rival association.

“According to them, the insistence of the MMA Command on the position of form ‘M’ which is a mandatory document for importation is wrong and does not meet the clearance process as smooth and rewarding as it used to be to them in the past.

“They also claimed that the Customs Area Controller prefers to deal with members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) than that of NAGAFF, and also that they were not briefed before the introduction of Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System II (NICIS II) in the command.”

While giving lie to the claims of the aggrieved Customs Brokers, the command said the introduction of Form M was a government policy and not that of the command.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Form ‘M’ as a prerequisite for importation into Nigeria is not a policy of the Command but a guideline of Federal Government of Nigeria.

“The guidelines say any person intending to import physical goods into Nigeria shall in the first instance process the e-Form ‘M’ through any Authorized Dealer Bank irrespective of the value and whether or not payment is involved.

“Moreover, the recently implemented NICIS II makes provision of Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) a must, and PAAR cannot be gotten without Form ‘M’.

“On the issue of whether they were sensitized before the launching of NICIS II at the Command, it is on record that Customs Officers, Clearing Agents and other Stakeholders including members of NAGAFF were part of the two weeks training at the Zonal Headquarters Yaba and Apapa Area Command respectively.

“To therefore say they were not sensitized will be simply a denial of fact that is on records. The CAC wants to inform stakeholders that she attends to all Customs brokers equally without fear or favour whether NAGAFF or ANLCA and will not be dragged into politics of superiority among different Agencies.

“The Command will always be focused on suppression of smuggling, collection of appropriate Customs duties while still facilitating trade. Let it be known that the letter by NAGAFF seeking to meet the CAC of MMA Command was received on the 12 of February, 2018 during the time of the former Controller and not the incumbent CAC.

“The CAC is willing to meet with any individual or group that will add value to the functions of Nigeria Customs Service at the Airport. Accordingly, the command wishes to inform all stakeholders to discountenance any narrative that tends to misrepresent the patriotic stand of the CAC”, the Command spokesman expressed.

The command however advised all stakeholders to study properly the requirements of importation under the new dispensation, comply and compliment the ongoing efforts of the Service to enhance the economy and National Security.