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By Ayoola Olaitan
The National Coordinator of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Compliance Team, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko has assured that the team will meet its 100% compliance target in ease of doing business at the nation’s ports in the next six months.
Tanko made this known during a routine visit of bonded terminals at the Western zone in Lagos, yesterday.
Leading the team on the tour to Sifax Bounded Terminal 1, 2, and Classic Marine Services Ltd, the National Coordinator posited that the NAGAFF team is set to attain 100 percent compliance to cargo evacuation processes and help Customs realize their revenue targets.
His words: “We want to help Customs generate their revenue target and we will make sure importers and shippers provide 100 percent true declaration. The Compliance team has also reached out to other government agencies at the ports to help enhance the ease of doing business at the ports”
“We trained our members for three months before going to the ports. We have also observed an increase in compliance levels in terms of correct duties; this has risen from the 20 percent to about 50 percent compliance. In next six months we are going to get to our desired target which is 100 percent compliance.”
Noting that Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has frequently blamed freight forwarders for not contributing in its bid to attain seamless port operations in the country, Tanko said NAGAFF Compliance team is a step in the right direction.
Meanwhile, Deputy Controller of Customs in charge of SIFAX 2, Mrs. Num F. N, applauded NAGAFF for the timely initiative and urged the Compliance team to enforce compliance on its members at all times.
According to her, “Since you have decided to do the right thing you are making our jobs easier. However, the problem most of the time is always false declaration by freight forwarders which we have always advised against”
“For instance, there is no point in carrying bottles and you declare paper. They are not the same rate of duty. I am glad the Compliance team has taken it upon itself to help make our job easier. I do hope that the 50 percent that has been achieved by the team will eventually get to 100 percent.”
