The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS)has indicted Freight agents for engaging in the criminal act of forging valuation papers from outside the service.
The Customs Area Controller(CAC) of PTML Customs Command, Comptroller Suleiman Bomaih stated this last week, when the National Executives of the National Association of Government Approved Freight forwarders (NAGAFF) led by its president, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, paid a familiarization visit to the command.
Compt. Bomaih while welcoming the visitors, noted that the NCS had detected that some dubious and unscrupulous agents ,in order to evade accurate payment of duty forge VIN Valuation outside the NCS.
He said the NCS has strong mechanism to checkmate any infraction , therefore warned those indulging in criminality in the command to desist, warning that severe consequences awaits any agent caught.
The PTML CAC ,however lauded NAGAFF for its uprightness , stressing that the association in its twenty one years existence has been very disciplined and has not been involved in matters that bother on criminality
He praised the leadership of the Association noting that from the founder,Dr.Aniebonam to the present leadership, the association has had good working relationship with the NCS.
His words,”NAGAFF has been wonderful not only here but in Port Harcourt also” he said
He sought knowledge-based engagement with the association, stressing that when engagements is knowledge-based,it makes things a lot easier.
“If we are coming from the angle of knowledge and you meet those who are knowledgeable, I think it makes more sense and much easier,” he said
He praised NAGAFF for sticking together for twenty one years.
“I don’t see any factions among you. you are well versed, well experienced and to be engaging with the caliber of team I have seen representing you in PTM,I can say I am at peace ,because I don’t anticipate any dishonest conducts, “he stated
Compt. Bomaih noted that in the course of duty , disputes will arise,but how the dispute is resolved is very key.
“Well there would always be disputes . The question is how do we reconcile the disputes and when you are resolving where people are knowledgeable, it’s faster because everybody knows where ,and who is right or wrong” he said.
He commended the NAGAFF president for the noble act of coming to introduce the leaders of the association in PTML
“Basically, I congratulate the president, and to lead a huge organization like NAGAFF over 21 years, it’s not an easy task.
The starting point is what you are doing today to officially introduce the officials, coming down to say these are my officials , I think it is commendable” he said
Earlier ,the NAGAFF president,Chief Tochukwu Ezisi,had told the CAC, “The purpose of this visit is to familiarize with your office, and to introduce the newly elected Executives of the PTML chapter in your command. The collaboration between Customs and NAGAFF since the establishment of NAGAFF 21 years ago have been so cordial due to the relationship and assistance we give to Customs and the assistance Customs have been given to NAGAFF. Having you here as an Area Controller, it is necessary to come and interface with you, congratulate you in your new office. Having concluded our election last year and with the emergence of new executives for PTML chapter, we said it is necessary that the National come and introduce them properly to you so that you would know the officers you are working with, so that nobody can come to you and say I am NAGAFF executive,” he said.
Ezisi noted that NAGAFF is one association that doesn’t have factions.” We are one body and one family so whoever we say is our executive is our executive .That’s the main reason why we are here, to introduce these faces to you as your principal officers so that you know them” he stated
Addressing the members after the visit,the NAGAFF president warned members about indulging in criminal acts that could bring the association to ridicule and disrepute. He harped seriously on the issue of forgery of valuation paper outside the port raised by the CAC,and warned that anyone caught in such criminal act would be seriously dealt with by the association.
He urged them to be content with whatever they are paid by their clients.He noted that greed is the main reason people want to cut corners.
He said his visit to the command is in fulfillment of his promise to pay a visit to all the Chapters of the association.
He was accompanied on the visit by the Vice President Seaports,Chief Simeon Onu, Deputy President,seaport, Chief Afam Chukwuma, Chairman Hundred Percent Compliance, Alhaji Tanko and the Chairman of PTML chapter,Mr Thomas Alor, amongst others.
