The Area 1 Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) holds its second phase of stakeholders’ sensitization forum and workshop
Jude Nzennaya Port Harcourt
The Area 1 Command Rivers State of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has promised to engage in sensitization workshops for its stakeholders so as to tackle challenges associated with faulty documentation, under-declaration and wrong classification of goods.
Comptroller Chedi Wada, Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command stated this at the second phase of a stakeholder’s sensitization and workshop organized for licensed customs agents and other critical maritime operators in Port Harcourt the Rivers State capital.
Earlier, the Command had engaged in an interactive session with other sister government agencies operating at the Port Harcourt ports, for effective collaboration and synergy to ensure a seamless port operation which includes the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Nigeria Police, Immigration, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Navy among others.
According to the Comptroller, the first phase of the sensitization conducted in the first quarter of the year had so far helped consignees reduce to barest minimum, mistakes usually associated with documentation, before then the customs usually get up to 10 complains but now in a month the complain are not up to 4 at most which shows a drastic change in reduction showing progress.
“It is clear that we cannot operate efficiently without organizing a forum of this kind as it gives us an opportunity to discuss issues bothering on clearing and forwarding of goods be it Clearing agents, shipping agents, bounded terminals.
“During interactions such as this, we are able to identify certain issues that may need some explanations, consignees are also given opportunity to tender their day- to -day complaints while we proffer solutions to such complaints,” Wada said.
The customs boss also noted that the challenges of documentation can be effectively surmounted if agents equipped themselves with in-depth understanding of clearing procedures making it a criteria for every agents to acquire the requisite knowledge of customs dealings by before getting the license and certificate.
He said ” Agents complain of demurrage and extra charges which comes from agents, take for instance an agent declaring rotation number twice in one ship without cancelling one properly this show you made two transactions as one and the first will be hanging on your name and realizing this it will take you weeks and months to sorts out then who do you blame”
Earlier in his opening remark the Comptroller has said “Actually we cannot move forward without organizing this type of of forum, we call it forum between customs and stakeholders to give opportunity to discuss our challenges as far as clearing and forwarding is concern to identify certain issues that need explanation to be Clearfield”.
The Lecture: ‘Enhancing Trade Integrity: A comprehensive understanding of customs declaration to counter abuse was presented by Mr. Babani Gambo who is also a Customs Chief Superintendent at the command.
Gambo, a general service duty officer and policy management analyst noted that the objective of the lecture was basically aimed at sensitizing the service Personnel and trading Community on the importance and use of correct customs procedures.
He noted that the forum also seeks to educate consignees on commonly abused declaration factors such as Customs procedure code (CPC), false declaration and undervaluation which contributes hugely to loss of Customs revenue and the Nation.
This is as the clearing agents have commended the Comptroller and his team for the transfer of knowledge and called for more cooperation to the ease of doing business as well as profitability.
They also lamented the poor state of the East-west road and Aba/Port Harcourt road urging the federal government to redouble efforts towards repairs so as to foster business growth at the Eastern ports.
Comptroller Chedi advised consignees to take advantage of the in-house routine training as part of efforts to help guard against breach of customs procedures.
He said “In as much as the Customs and it management team are always trying to reduce bad eggs among Customs officers agents should do same to reduce bad eggs among it is not easy but you must try your best”.
Lastly he said that the command would not tolerate ignorance as an excuse in an event of faulty documentation or under-declaration.
