Despite the directive by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Alhaji Dikko Abdulahi that officers stop the issuance of local ‘alerts’ on imported cargoes at the various commands, the PTML area command is yet to comply with the directive, SHIPS &PORTS DAILY has gathered.
The Customs boss had at a meeting with top executive members of the Association of the Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) in Abuja last month agreed to harmonize the alerts in such a way that only the headquarters alert will be issued when importers fail to make genuine declaration on their import documents.
Agents operating at the command have however expressed their dissatisfaction that the directive is yet to be complied with, as the officers have allegedly continued to abuse the system.
The agents accused the OC valuation, Aina Moyo of still generating the local alerts even after issuing value on a consignment and payment of duty made.
Chairman, Igbo Maritime Forum, PTML chapter, Francis Uchechukwu Aniekechukwu in a chat with newsmen over the weekend alleged that officers of the command have continued to flout the directive.
“What we see now is that your job which has been valued still enters either the valuation alerts or the CPC alerts. It is very prevalent in PTML command now. Even after issuing value, the valuation officer still give valuation alerts or refer you to the CPC alerts,” he said.
He said although the alerts are meant to guide releasing officers due to some human error, some officers have continued to abuse the system and used it as an avenue to enrich themselves.
Efforts to get the reaction of the image maker of the command, Steve Okonmah on the allegation proved abortive as he did not respond to calls made to his telephone.
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