By Uzor Odigbo
Sequel to reactions bothering on shortchanging the Federal Government by freight agents and customs personnel through ”value cut”, National Coordinator, Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders Importers Exporter Coalition (SNFFIEC), Chief Osita Chukwu Patrick has described public statement creditied to the President, Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics (APFFLON), Mr. Frank Ogunojemite as “shooting himself on the foot.”
Chukwu who spoke on Wednesday affirmed that such reactions could lead to proper profiling of the APFFLON boss and his jobs, in a bid for operatives of customs to carry out their job diligently and effectively.
According to him, customs are lenient to freight forwarders in ensuring smooth trade facilitation adding that officers and men of the service have been witch-haunted by customs agents for been transparent and honest thus nobody should compound the existing hardship in the country that would lead to job loss.
Chukwu queried reasons behind the APFFLON President concerns about customs operations , pointing out that the public outburst could further jeopardize freight agents clearance process and procedures.
He said ” Whoever goes for equity must go with clean hands. Ogunojemite that was talking to be frank does not understand the implications of such statement, in fact I don’t think that was what he met because when customs should start profile all the jobs , then he will understand .
“For me what he has done might land him in trouble. So let him not join issues with erring customs or agents .
“Why is he now trying to do customs work?,is he the PRO of customs that will call for agents to be prosecuted . Why kicking against customs operations .”
“If Ogunojemite has claims to lay, he is not the one to call on CG customs to prosecute officers that have erred.”
Continuing, he said “Modalities are on ground through government regulatory means on cargo clearance and if customs should apply or interprete the act on trade on freight forwarders you will understand that most agents will go to jail.
Recall that the APFFLON boss was quoted saying, , “there is no how a freight forwarder would shortchange the Government without working in cahoot with a releasing officer, especially in this era of automation, it is impossible.
“Therefore, freight forwarders and their importers are not supposed to bear the brunt alone, the releasing officers involved in the transgression should also have a taste of the soured pudding, it takes two to tango. In this case it will be quite unfair to punish Peter and spare Paul from a crime both of them committed”, Ogunojemite said.
Similarly, Management of the Nigeria Customs Service had raised an alarm of serial infractions by importers clearing agents in the payment of duty on imported used vehicles also know as Tokunbo vehicles.
According to a Memorandum emanating from the office of the Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Tariff and Trade, ACG Musa MBA dated 17th July 2023, some of the clearing agents were discovered to have been shortchanging the Federal Government