Zonal Coordinator in charge of Zone ‘A’, of the Nigeria Customs Service, Assistant Comptroller General Charles Edike has commended the Shippers Association Lagos State (SALS) for its contribution towards customs revenue generation.
Edike who gave the commendation on Thursday at the National Shippers Day celebration in Lagos said that without the shippers, there would be no cargo at the port and customs revenue would be affected.
He said despite the economic downturn in the country occasioned by dwindling oil price and naira depreciation, customs revenue collection have continued to increase.
He urged the shippers and importers not to be discouraged by the turn of event in the nation’s economy saying that the country is undergoing reform and that trade will pick up soonest.
”Before now, there was a lull in importation, but even at that the revenue is increasing, we expect that when there is no importation, revenues should fall but rather it is increasing and this is because of your good works.
”If shippers do not carry the cargo, there is nothing for customs to collect revenue from, I understand the challenges you are facing now, but don’t be afraid, match on, things may be hard today but tomorrow it will be better, continue and hold on. The CGC is behind you, and whatever the Service can do to make your work better we are ready to assist you,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Hassan Bello advised the shippers to focus more on export.
Represented by Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Department of the Council, Mrs Okam Ada, Bello said the Council is committed to protecting the cargo interest of Nigeria even as he enjoined them to always comply to both national and international trade regulations.
In his opening speech, President of SALS, Jonathan Nicole said the event marks the beginning of the amalgamation of a maritime institution that will eventually metamorphose into the Federation of Shippers’ Association in Nigeria (FONSA).
”With a powerful institution such as FONSA, Nigeria will dominate the maritime industry and even surprise our trade partners. The period of isolation is gone.
“Now cooperative and coordination will save us with the massive changes ahead of us. Our government will be happy to have such well coordinated institutions behind it,” he said.
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