ANLCA Chairman, Oil & Gas Zone, dismisses allegations of extortion against Customs, NPA. 

ANLCA Chairman, Oil & Gas Zone, dismisses allegations of extortion against Customs, NPA.

The Chairman,  Oil and Gas Zone Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agent (ANLCA), Mrs Okere Celestina Chinyere has dismissed the claims making the rounds that Customs officers operating at the Onne port are extorting or living large at the expense of freight forwarders.

According Mrs Okere, she was quoted out of context by the reporter who she believed did not understand the term “Transit goods and Fast Track  goods” in the freight forwarding profession.

She stated in a statement that “My attention has been drawn to the news making rounds captioned “Lamentations from freight forwarders about extortion by Customs and NPA personnel at the Exit Gate  of Onne port including Oil and Gas Free Zone Goods.

“I want to categorically and unequivocally state  as follows: That I, Okere Celestina chinyere, was quoted out of context by the journalist who mixed and muddled up issues due to his lack of understanding of the term “Transit goods and Fast Track  goods” in our profession.

“I emphasized on the policy of rationing 5 Containers to one Escort officer and the attendant delays it causes in the delivery of “fast track and transit” cargoes and not duly cleared and released containers. And this is as a result of shortage of escort officer which is  beyond the control of the Command.

“It was glaring that the lack of escort personnel resulted in the rationing of these highlighted containers which the resultant effect attracts #25,000 penalty from NPA for long time parking after 2 days grace period.

“There was never a time the men and officers of Nigeria Customs Service in Onne Port were accused of extortion or living large by anyone and by means.

“There is no relationship between the Transit/fast Track  goods and Exited/ Cleared goods at the gate” she maintained.

She affirmed that the reporter ought to have sought proper clarification of the terms in furtherance to the ethics of balanced reportage from the NCS.

She however advised the media to be well guided in order to serve as crusaders in support of the peaceful coexistence and working relationship between Customs and stakeholders  in the industry and not the other way round.