The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has congratulated the President on his bold decision to eliminate the oil subsidy scam and expressed particular satisfaction with the departure of former Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
This was disclosed in a letter and made available to Hybrid News Nigeria (www.hybridnewsng.com) by the Founder of the Association, Boniface Aniebonam.
Shedding light on the impact of Emefiele’s tenure, NAGAFF emphasized the detrimental effects his trade policies had on Nigeria’s foreign trade and customs facilitation.
The association revealed that the former governor exceeded his jurisdiction by venturing into trade policies outside the scope of his responsibilities, displaying a lack of consultation with the Nigeria Customs.
Aniebonam also raised concerns about Emefiele’s lack of coordination with relevant stakeholders before implementing fiscal policies on trade matters. A particularly contentious issue was the exclusion of more than forty-one trade goods from accessing the foreign exchange market, he noted.
He revealed that the consequences of Emefiele’s actions were far-reaching and caused numerous challenges for the Customs administration and the management of international trade.
“As per the established protocols, every import into Nigeria required a registered Form M. However, Emefiele failed to acknowledge the provisions within Customs laws that addressed the clearance of improper documentation, leading to complications and delays in the trade process,” the founder said.
The Founder highlighted the detrimental effect of Emefiele’s actions on the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) program. The introduction of PAAR was intended to be an essential tool in customs clearance, ensuring efficiency and compliance. However, the former governor’s interference significantly undermined the program, resulting in the Customs declaring the pre-arrival assessment report as merely advisory.
Aniebonam recounted the importance of coordinated decision-making and consultation in matters affecting trade policies and customs facilitation while hoping that the President’s recent actions will pave the way for a more effective and inclusive approach to Nigeria’s foreign trade and customs administration.
As the nation looks forward to a new era in transportation, trade and customs, he called on Tinubu to look out for a competent hand to be in charge of the Ministry of Transportation.
“This is where Customs problem started in duty collection and accounting. Instances of untrue declaration for Customs purposes became the order the day. This is because those items barred from accessing forex are not banned from importation. And to resolve this the customs have to rely on the provisions of Customs laws to mitigate the bad situation.
“It is our hope that Mr. President shall as a matter of urgency repeal that piece of unguided trade policy to enhance revenue collection functions of the service. This avoidable revenue leakage must be blocked immediately and allow Customs to top their reform responsibility.
“We may in due course make further statements and help the government to raise the bar of revenue collection and accounting in the Customs ports and approved border stations.
“Also we shall within the week recommend one or two names of competent core officers of the service with capacity and required skills to take responsibility in the Nigeria Customs Service and transportation ministry. Whoever is coming to transportation ministry, should by our recommendation, must be a seasoned professional other than politician.
“Regret to mention that all the past ministers of transportation in the last sixteen years did not realise the importance of Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN). They are merely interested in the collection of port operating fees.
“Finally, we also congratulate the wise men and women of the 9th assembly who- have made it possible through legislation for only well trained and informed officers of the service to be appointed as the comptroller General of customs,” Aniebonam noted.