Africa Youth Patriotic and Development Mission (AYPDM), a non-governmental organisation in defence of human rights, fighting corruption, injustice and other societal malaise, has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to probe the alleged corruption at the Lagos ports and other agencies in the country.
The group, in reaction to an exclusive story published in TheNiche on October 19, headlined “Smugglers hijack Lagos ports”, urged Jonathan to order the arrest and prosecution of the culprits as a proof of his willingness to combat corruption and implement his transformation agenda.
AYPDM Executive Secretary, Muktar Akoshile; Audit Director, Fisayo Olubayo; and another member of the group, Abdul Ayodeji, promised that if nothing is done to punish the culprits, AYPDM would do everything within the law to ensure the perpetrators are exposed and face justice.
“We are not happy with the massive corruption going on at the ports. The perpetrators are destroying the future of Nigeria and Nigerians, especially the younger generation,” the group said.
“We want the federal government to probe and sanction those involved. We have investigated and we will soon unravel lots of atrocities going on there.
“If nothing is done we are going to carry out protests among other actions and sensitise Nigerians to fight the alleged corruption at the ports. We have done something similar before. We cannot fold our arms while some people are destroying the future of Nigeria and youths.”
Nigeria loses N25b to smuggling yearly
Nigeria loses an estimated N25 billion yearly as the Lagos ports, the gateway to the economy, have become hotbeds of smuggling, with container terminals in Apapa, Tin Can Island, and Lily Pond as channels for banned items or concealed dutiable goods.
Furniture, textiles, tyres, fridges, and compressors – which attract high duty – are often concealed in containers for machinery, hospital and medical equipment which have low or zero duty.
Some items of furniture attract 20 per cent duty and 30 per cent levy. Duty on hospital equipment is 5 per cent.
Modus operandi
Some ship manifests bear dual manifestations which include shipping company’s official manifest that shows the main item being transported, as well as the consignee’s manifest showing a different item from the shipping company’s manifest, an intention to conceal.
Although the consignee’s declared items in the manifest could be in the container, it could be in small quantity to conceal the real item.
And, since there can be no 100 per cent physical examination, Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) officers at times allegedly connive with clearing agents to conduct skeletal examination based on the outer content.
Rising tide
Smuggling involves banned items, concealment, under-declaration, false declaration, and duty evasion.
Alfred Irabor, a clearing agent and member of the Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders (SNFF), said smuggling in the Lagos ports has increased since 2012, costing the treasury estimated N25 billion yearly.
He blamed the Customs leadership and decried the “centralised booking” which gives impetus to smuggling.
He alleged that the “compromised” Demand Notice (DN) issued to clearing agents defrauds the government and puts “too much money” in private pockets.
“While the Customs kill and maim petty traders who smuggle small quantities of rice, chicken and turkey in villages around border stations in the name of protecting Nigeria against smuggling activities, the real smugglers are having a field day at the Lagos ports.
“Everyday these wealthy smugglers connive with the big men in the Customs to defraud Nigeria and kill local industries. The country has lost over N70 billion to smuggling since 2012 when this madness escalated.
“The federal government must look into this development, otherwise the economy will crumble,” Irabor said.
No word from Customs
SNFF Convener, Ositadinma Chukwu, blamed the rising rate of smuggling on the Customs leadership.
In his view, “As long as the status quo remains there will be more corruption, more smuggling and more inefficiency. Since President Goodluck Jonathan does not want to sanitise the Customs and the ports, we will never get tired of telling the masses the truth.”
NCS Public Relations Officer, Wale Adeniyi, could not be reached on his mobile telephone line for comment.
NCS Public Relations Officer in TCIP, Chris Osunkwo, said only his area controller is competent to speak on the issue.
