Group slams APFFLON boss over call for prosecution of Customs officers, freight forwarders
Group slams APFFLON boss over call for prosecution of Customs officers, freight forwarders
In view of the recent call for prosecution of Customs officers and freight forwarders who short-changed the government revenue, the National Coordinator of Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers, Exporters Coalition (SNFFIEC), Chief Osita Chukwu Patrick has slammed originator of the report saying such call may instigate unnecessary stringent rules from the officers of the Service.
Speaking with newsmen in his office on Wednesday, Chief Osita stated that the report will also take a toll on the businesses of the source of the report.
Recall that the President, Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics (APFFLON), Mr. Frank Ogunojemite had in a public statement, called on the government to tackle avenues of revenue leakage, and that government should prosecute Customs officers short-changing the Government.
The SNFFIEC boss maintained that such reactions could lead to strict profiling of the APFFLON boss and his jobs for operatives of customs to carry out their job diligently and effectively which will hinder seamless clearance of cargo.
According to him, Customs are lenient to freight forwarders in ensuring smooth trade facilitation adding that officers and men of the service have been witch haunted by customs agents for being transparent and honest thus nobody should compound the existing hardship in the country that would lead to job loss
Chukwu queried reasons behind the APFFLON President’s concerns about customs operations , pointing out that the public outburst could further jeopardize freight agents clearance process and procedures.
His words, “Whoever goes for equity must go with clean hands. Ogunojemite that was talking, to be frank, does not understand the implications of such statement, in fact, I don’t think that was what he meant because when customs should start profile all the jobs, then he will understand .
“For me what he has done might land him in trouble. So let him not join issues with erring customs or agents .
“Why is he now trying to do customs work? is he the PRO of customs that will call for agents to be prosecuted? Why kicking against customs operations .”
“If Ogunojemite has claims to lay, he is not the one to call on CG customs to prosecute officers that have erred.”
Continuing, he said “Modalities are on ground through government regulatory means on cargo clearance and if customs should apply or interprete the Act on trade on freight forwarders, you will understand that most agents will go to jail.
Recall that the APFFLON boss was quoted saying, “There is no how a freight forwarder would shortchange the Government without working in cahoot with a releasing officer, especially in this era of automation, it is impossible.
“Therefore, freight forwarders and their importers are not supposed to bear the brunt alone, the releasing officers involved in the transgression should also have a taste of the soured pudding, it takes two to tango. In this case it will be quite unfair to punish Peter and spare Paul from a crime both of them committed”, Ogunojemite said
Similarly, Management of the Nigeria Customs Service had raised an alarm of serial infractions by importers clearing agents in the payment of duty on imported used vehicles also know as Tokunbo vehicles.
According to a Memorandum emanating from the office of the Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Tariff and Trade, ACG Musa MBA dated 17th July 2023, a copy of which was sited by our correspondent, some of the clearing agents were discovered to have been shortchanging the Federal Government.
