Adeniyi as Customs boss is best for Nigeria, says NAGAFF founder Aniebonam

Adeniyi as Customs boss is best for Nigeria, says NAGAFF founder Aniebonam

Founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, has applauded the choice and confirmation of Bashir Adewale Adeniyi as Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
He said Adeniyi hit the ground running as someone who knew that there were things to be corrected in the system.
Speaking with a select group of maritime Journalists in his office at the weekend, Aniebonam said the CGC is a respected international customs officer and the best for Nigeria going forward, adding that one of the first steps Aneniyi took was the disbandment of the CGC Strike Force, which had become an albatross.
“The CGC Strike Force that has been disbanded is an ad-hoc arrangement to correct an ailment in the Service. It should last for between three to six months,” he said, urging the new CGC to devolve operational powers to the zonal coordinators while maintaining core policy formulation, training, welfare, and international relations at the Customs Headquarters.
He said it would be more convenient to resolve operational matters at the Zonal level than go to Abuja for resolution, noting: “The Zones are manned by ACGs who are eminently qualified to handle trade disputes at the Zonal level.”
He maintained that in the event of inappropriate decisions taken at the zonal level, the leader has residual powers to reverse any decision taken that is not appropriate, adding: “For instance, I am the founder of NAGAFF and I have powers to reverse any actions taken by the President or the board to say, this is not right.”
Aniebonam, who is also founder of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) lauded the new Customs law which allows Customs Officers to aspire to the highest office in the Service and applauded the National Assembly for that decision, said it was important for the management of the NCS to trust the ACGs while monitoring them for efficiency and performance.
On the encroachment of policemen into Customs at the ports at the ports, Aniebonam said the police have general powers to check goods on transit, but that should not be their primary assignment, which is a duty that should be handled by the Customs.
It would also be recalled that about two weeks ago, the AIG Zone 2, Ari Ali Mohammed, who was at NAGAFF headquarters in Apapa, Lagos on a working visit, cautioned the police over interference in cargo clearance along the ports corridor.
On the recent unbanning of the 43 items on the import list, he said former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, acted in utter ignorance of the Customs law, adding that the new CBN Governor has expressed his desire to concentrate on monetary policy rather than fiscal policy.
“Under Emefiele, there was total ‘system collapse’ which led to increase in freight charges without due consultation with freight forwarders. Given the state of total chaos at the time, importers lost their cargo while some overpaid the penalty given to them, leading to frustration and business losses,” he said.
Aniebonam stated that with the new trade regime, the system will flow seamlessly and compliance levels will increase and canvassed release of all seized goods since the Federal Government has power to grant amnesty to facilitate trade in the country.
He disclosed that the Customs has its own lingo and only those versed in it are able to do business with the Service, insisting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday, October 19, 2023, approved the confirmation of Adeniyi, who was appointed in acting capacity on June 19, 2023, in line with extant rules of the country’s public service.