Mr Uchu Block, National General Secretary, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, says poor handling of the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) system is hindering international trade.
PAAR is a cargo clearance platform established by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in December 2013, to enhance effective clearance procedure of imported goods within the shortest time possible at Nigerian ports.
Block made the asertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.
He said that PAAR was being handled unprofessionally thereby deterring the smooth flow of trade which it otherwise ought to promote.
“The Comptroller-General of Customs meant well with PAAR but the way the officers in charge are handling it is poor, and it is making it run contrary to its purpose,” he said.
According to him, the officers handling the PAAR process are not professionals in the valuation process, they only impose value rather than follow the stipulated steps for value calculation.
“Value is not imposed like some of them are doing; it is supposed to be worked out according to set rules as is obtainable internationally.
“International trade is global and the way valuation is done should also be global,” he said.
NAN recalls that earlier this month, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko, admitted that there were some hitches with PAAR operation.
Dikko, who appealed for understanding of Nigerians, however, encouraged the customs agents and freight forwarders to work harmoniously in resolving the current challenges
Source: NAN
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