…..As Maritime Workers Warns Customs Against Checking Goods Already Cleared
RAYMOND ISHMAEL
The Federal Government has been urged to upgrade the nation’s borders to smart ones for seamless trans-border trade.
A renowned freight forwarder and immediate past National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Anthony Iju Nwabunike who made the call stressed that upgrading of the borders will enable the country to enjoy the full benefit of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
Nwabunike made the call at the 2023 Annual Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) Conference and Awards in Lagos on Thursday.
Delivering a paper titled: “The role of the Customs Brokers in Sustaining a Viable Transborder Trade for National Economic Growth”, Nwabunike, who was represented by Barrister Ikechukwu Ukadike stated that Nigeria’s borders are devoid of equipment required of modern day land borders.
“Trade itself is dynamic and influenced by state policies regulating import, export and manufacturing or agriculture. What is allowed in one country could be prohibited in another country
“Whereas the World Customs Organisation (WCO) supports the concept of SMART borders for seamless Trade, Travel and Transport. Nigeria is yet to achieve SMART borders in the real sense.
“Nigeria being an Anglophone (English speaking) country is surrounded by neighbors that are predominantly (Francophone) French speaking, which on its own is a challenge when it comes to trade dialogues.
“WCO Members are encouraged to look at how they can strengthen their endeavour to facilitate trade and travel, whilst mitigating threats inherent in the cross-border flows of goods, people, and means of transport.
“Our “SMART” acronym stems from the following guiding principles: Secure, Measurable, Automated, Risk Management-based, and Technology-driven.
“The rapid and safe movement of people and goods across borders encourages trade, travel and transport, and Customs has the dual task of facilitating this flow while securing it. This is no easy task and Customs is expected to be focused and determined to achieve its goal”.
Commenting further on the peculiar nature of Nigerian borders, the maritime consultant noted that the country is still grappling with security in some border states, especially in the northern part of the country.
He said due to inadequate technology for monitoring and evaluation, there has not been accurate template for measurements of the degrees trade.
Also speaking at the event, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) cautioned management of the Nigeria Customs Service to stop the act of intercepting containers already cleared after 100% physical examination by dockworkers at the seaports, saying the practice negatives trade facilitation and other international conventions.
President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju gave the warning, disclosed that the activities of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja along the Lagos port corridors was unprofessional, adding that the waylays of consignments deter the morale of dockworkers on cargo examination at the ports.
Adeyanju who doubles as the Deputy President , Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), reiterated that the situation of interception of consignments after thorough examination at the ports was frustrating calling on management of the service to push the FOU boys along the corridors further outside the corridors .
Represented by the Deputy President General MWUN, Comrade Boniface Udoh, the MWUN President further accused the FOU boys of contributing to unwarranted gridlock within the port corridors.