Reminds Govt of  ECOWAS and ECCAS Protocols as AfCFTA Dawns

Notes that it negates due process for lawmakers to be involved in cargo clearing.

Tony Iju Nwabunike
National President, ANLCA

With the commencement date of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), close at hand, the National President of the  Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Hon Tony Iju Nwabunike and his management team has met with the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise to deliberate on issues affecting trade and seek solutions.

In order for the Nigerian business community to maximize the benefits AfCFTA,  ANLCA has sought for and received government assurances to rescind on border closure .

In the course of delibrations, ANLCA reminded the Federal Government that the AfCFTA regime which takes effect from next year will place Nigerian businesses people at disadvantage if the nation’s land borders remained closed to trade.

The association further reminded the government that Nigeria will be shut out of trade with proximate countries of Benin Republic, Cameroun, Chad and Niger Republic in West and Central African countries if the borders remained closed.

ANLCA also identified and brought to the fore, the historic and strategic trade impact of Nigeria to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) where it is bordered by Niger, Cameroun and Chad.

The association therefore secured the assurances of the Federal Government on the need to effect gradual reopening of the closed borders with particular focus on rules of origin to prevent abuses of incentives like the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS).

In line with the ECOWAS protocol, ANLCA call on all Neighbouring countries to henceforth deliver transit goods to the Nigeria customs service.

We posit that for Nigeria Customs service to be In tune with international best practices it should allow Micro Chip shoot on every container along the ECOWAS route into the country.

ANLCA notes that cargoes on transit and mobile assets like trucks laden with goods worth over N130b belonging to private business people were trapped since August 18, 2019 when the borders were shut under a joint operation, codenamed “Exercise Swift Response”.

The Association lamented that most of the goods with perishable timelines have either been destroyed due to expiry periods or damaged beyond redemption as a result of exposure to unfavorable elements. Vandalism, theft and arson on some of the trucks and the goods they carry, have caused great losses to many struggling business men and women.

Of note is the over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs that have been lost so far due to this policy, which in our view , should have been approached and implemented differently.

Senate and Cargo Handling By Senators

Following outcry by Customs brokers in Senate interference on cargo clearing in Nigerian ports, It has been mutually agreed between ANLCA and members of the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise that such act by the Senators negates due process  in cargo clearing.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Francis Alimikhena gave his words that all cargo clearance hitherto stalled with shipping companies due to the committee’s activities and correspondence will be allowed to be processed in line with extant regulations.

Senator  Francis Alimikhena concurred with ANLCA that whereas the oversight functions of the lawmakers cannot be wished away on the executive arm of government and any of its agents, the day to day operation of duty collection, cargo examination, issuance of demand notices (when necessary) and effecting seizures for due infractions rest with the Nigeria Customs Service.

It was further concluded as an incontrovertible fact, that the functions of NCS officers as provided in the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) cannot be performed by any person or body not authorized.

The ANLCA leadership therefore appeal to all Customs brokers, freight forwarders, logistics operators and haulage companies is to remain calm in the face of imminent review of government policies to accommodate their line of businesses and expand opportunities for their growth.

Nwabunike call on all Agents to  expect lights at the end of the tunnel and be prepared to take full legitimate advantages that the adjusted regime will usher in and assuring them that ANLCA will continue to pursue the interest of its members in the areas of operational challenges and seeking amicable resolutions to trade disputes arising from government policies and other stakeholders’ actions.