By Tony Nzekwe
The Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Onne Seaport Chapter, Chief Mike Ebeatu, has said, “ANLCA is more committed to work with customs on trade facilitation and policies compliance.”
Mike Ebeatu disclosed this information at an interactive session with Business and Maritime Writers’ Association of Nigeria, BUMWAN, in Port Harcourt.
He added, “The need for synergies and partnerships with relevant stakeholders and operators at the Port cannot be overemphasized in trade facilitation, fiscal policies compliance and revenue generation.”
He asserted, ” ANLCA is ready and committed to promote the things and values that Will unite stakeholders and generate more revenue to the federal coffers.”
He frowned at the shipping freight differentials which has adversely affected the level of patronage of shipping companies to the Eastern Ports.
However, he called on government at all levels to close ranks and eschew politics in Ports operations and administration With a view to foster robust unity and coexistence.
Reacting on RoRo Port facilities at Onne seaport, he asserted, ” There’s no facilities for RoRo Port at Onne but government is working on that with an inherent challenge of politics.”
His words: ” ANLCA has continued to engage the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, on the access roads that leads to the Port.”
Adding, ” If there are good and motorable roads to the Port there’s the tendency for more business turnover and activities.”
He opined, ” We are doing our best by engaging critical stakeholders like customs, shippers council, Federal Ministry of Works and all government agencies for the urgent need and intervention on the roads and operational activities.”
Mike Ebeatu posited, ” Our major challenge in cargo documentation and clearance at the Port is lack of harmonious system alerts from the Nigeria Customs Service, NSC, especially in the valuation unit and there’s the issue of multiple customs intervention units along the roads for onward delivery to importers.”
He added, ” These challenges has affected licensed agents productivity and efficient Service delivery to their respective importers.”
He continued, ” The Terminal Operators are another challenge at the Port, they delay the positioning and examination of containers for hours which hinders the policy of Ease of doing business and fast track cargo clearance at the Port.”
” Shipping Lines are another kettle of fish, they most often than not delay the return of empty containers as stipulated to ease cargo clearance at the Terminal and they should have holding bay outside the Port.”
However, Mike Ebeatu reaffirmed that ANLCA Onne Seaport Chapter is committed to reforms and rebuilding confidence and trust With the Nigeria Customs Service and robust mutual respect.
Earlier in his remarks, the National President, BUMWAN, Peter Ihejirika, said, “The success story and deserved accolades credited to Nigeria Customs Service, NSC, cannot be achieved without the Licensed Customs Agents continue cooperation and adherence to the fiscal policies compliance of the federal government and shun every act of smuggling, concealment, under-declaration and importation of unwholesome products.”
Adding, ” We, BUMWAN, commend the doggedness and dexterity of your national president, Hon Tony Iju Nwabunike, and other stakeholders for their selfless drive in drawing the attention of the federal government to the fact that the hen that lay the golden eggs deserve the best by getting at least 2 per cent of the monthly revenue collection.”
