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The founder of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders(NAGAFF.), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam has stated that 100% Compliance Team has come to add value for a better business in the Port and ensure that operators in the industry comply with rules and guidelines for international trade at our Seaports, Airports and other entry points.
He noted that most of the seizures made by the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) were avoidable as they were simply hinged on non-compliance attitude to international rules of trade.
“We should know that we should add value to the economy, when you hear that Customs made seizures of certain amount of dollars do you know that it is investment of Nigerians that are going”? he questioned.
Aniebonam while briefing the newsmen on the activities of the Compliance Team on recently at the NAGAFF secretariat Apapa, Lagos, clears air on the report indicating a face – off between NAGAFF and Customs during the weeklong tour to one or two Bonded Terminals.
In his words, ” The intention of this rebuttal is to correct certain misconceptions that could be read into the report under reference from the report we got from the leadership of the Compliance Team, which is at the centre of the ‘Controversies’, the visits was largely successful without any serious issue pitting our members against the Nigeria Customs Services or any of its officers.
“As a matter of fact, our findings reveal that no member of NAGAFF ever raised any allegation of arrogance or corruption against any officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, as portrayed in the online report and no member of NAGAFF was directly accused of any unruly behavior”.
Explaining further , Dr. Aniebonam said that NAGAFF as an association has always seen the NCS as an ally and will do everything within the law to ensure that the Service just like other Government agencies succeed for the benefit of our great country.
He emphasises on the claim making round that NAGAFF member accused DC Abang of AML. Terminal of being arrogant and corrupt as very far from the truth. DC Abang is well known to NAGAFF family, through his posting as staff officer at Apapa terminal, to his meritorious services at the fast-track section until his present assignment as the head of a Bonded Terminal has shown competence,professionalism and diligence to work. We have always seen him as being above board.
NAGAFF reportedly maintained that no association member was involved in raising allegations of arrogance and corruption against a customs officer during the tour of Bonded Terminal by the Compliance Team.
Dr. Aniebonam however urge the other sister association like Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents(ANLCA), to come together in order to put heads together with NAGAFF and tackle their problems for the benefit of our people.
According to Dr. Aniebonam, “Our sister association should stop fighting NAGAFF, let them put their house in order and embrace peace.”
“ANLCA must listen to people like Prince Olayiwola Shittu and other elders, Tony Iju must listen to Shittu, he recall that Shittu warned ANLCA members not to fight NAGAFF during his tenure, Shittu even led a delegation to NAGAFF Secretariat .
He advised the leadership of ANLCA to desist from fighting NAGAFF if they want peace to reign amongst themselves as he called for prayers on behalf of ANLCA over the crisis lingering in the association.
