Customs understudying challenges raised from Executive Order to facilitate trade
The Comptroller-General the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Hameed Ali has not only agreed that the recently issued presidential Executive Order came with challenges, but assured that the Service will resolve them one after the other.
Speaking during a visit of the leadership of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) led by its National President, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, Ali revealed that Customs is studying the observed hiccups associated with Orders with a view to finding a lasting solution.
He was however, quick to note that all hands must be on deck to actualize the Executive Order in order to facilitate trade and ease cost of doing business in the country.
He said part of the targets of understudying the Order is to blocking revenue leakages.
In his presentation, ANLCA boss, Shittu noted recalled that the association had complained of unnecessary multiple levels of interference of several units of Customs in the clearance of cargo from the ports, and even en-route warehouses and cargoes ultimate destinations.
He therefore called for the quick intervention of the Customs boss in ensuring that Customs officers adhere strictly to laid down standard operational procedures in cargo clearance at the ports and border stations, in compliance with the World Customs Organization’s established conventions.
ANLCA also sought relief from Customs Officers’ especially those in the field, for change of bad characters to deepen trade facilitation and cordial working relations.
