By Tony Nzekwe
The Nigeria Customs Service, Onne Seaport Command, have remained committed to imports cargo clearance and compliance with fiscal policies of the federal government of Nigeria.
In view of the above, “The attention of the Leadership of ANLCA has been drawn to a smear campaign by a mischievous journalist with a misleading heading. The publication in its entirety is a plain falsehood and only a figment of the writer’s imagination.”
This information was contained in a statement issued signed by the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Onne Seaport Chapter, and made available to GLOBAL RAYS Media.
The statement reads in part: “Such is a misrepresentation of the correspondence by the Area Comptroller, AB Mohammed, which unequivocally directed that no Container should be positioned for examination without declaration and payment of appropriate duty.” Adding, “And we can confirm that this directive has met with maximum compliance from our members.”
“We urge our members and all interest groups to disregard such malicious article.”
It asserted, “The Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents is a professional organization committed to patriotic goals, and would not engage in or patronize acts that undermine our national economy.”
In his swift reaction, the Chairman, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Onne Seaport Chapter, Hon. Mike Ebeatu, has said, ” The allegation is unfounded and completely unbelievable. Onne Seaport have high level compliance with cargo documentation and clearance the evidence are there.” On the issue of prohibited items, Mike Ebeatu posited, ” Onne Customs Command do not allow and condone any action or inactions capable to undermine the fiscal policies on imports and exports.”
He continued, ” Onne Customs Command is the highest on compliance and due process in documentation and clearance if Cargoes at the seaport.”
Mike, opined, ” Since the assumption of office, the Customs Area Controller, Compt Auwal Mohammed, has continued to sound it loud and clear that the area command is no go area for illegalities and Stakeholders have keyed into that for the interest of national security and revenue generation.”
He added, ” Compt Auwal Mohammed, is a pacesetter by raising the bar on revenue generation, trade facilitation and conflict resolution; with his stewardship style all importers, Licensed Customs Agents, critical stakeholders have remained compliance with operational policies with a view to generate more revenue to the federal coffers.”
He asserted, ” In no way and at no time did the Customs Area Controller, CAC, or his officers will engage the services of a mischievous and misleading Journalist whose stock in trade is to dissiminate fake news and fan the embers of discord and acrimony among Stakeholders.”
He concluded, ” Let it be on record that the CAC did not and will not engage any Journalist on alleged activities on containers at the port.”
