The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has accused officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) involved in cargo examination at the ports of conniving with importers to shortchange government of much needed revenue.
In a press statement sent to SHIPS & PORTS DAILY on Friday, chairman of the association’s anti-corruption committee, Increase Uche said, “It is very surprising that Customs examiners and other related agencies of the government who have the mandate of ensuring compliance to import and export regulations usually connive with the trading public to cheat the same government they swore to an oath to serve and protect.”
“Without prejudices to the relevant Sections of the Customs laws dealing with untrue declarations, the word trade facilitation must be for legitimate trade in line with the laws governing international trade. The Customs examiner is the most strategic person on the part of the government to protect its interest but it is most unfortunate the level of connivance at this moment in our ports,” he said, falling short of giving specific cases of abuse.
He called on the management of NCS to urgently “ensure uniform application of Customs rules at all entry points of the sea, air and land borders”.
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