APFLON tells Customs to carry stakeholders along in its policies
Mac Anthony Onuoha
Otumba Frank Ogunojemite,
The African Association of Professional Freight Forwarders of Nigeria, APFLON, has taken its stance on the recent threat to down tools, by a coalition of Freight Forwarders, due to alleged multiple checks by Men and Officers of the Nigeria Customs.
Rising from an emergency general meeting on Friday the 29th of March 2019,the President of the association, Otumba Frank Ogunojemite, while addressing journalists, said that in as much as APFLON appreciates the Nigeria Customs for remaining committed in revenue collection and Anti Smuggling Campaign, the organisation should also carry stakeholders along in its policies, adding that Customs should ensure at all times that officers operate within the ambit of the law.
The National President of APFLON added that if proper examination is done at the terminals following strictly, the original declarations on the PAARs by the agents and also proper duty payments, why then should Men and Officers of the same organisation that okayed and released consignments stop them again at various points for re-examination? saying it is sheer lack of trust on the side of the organization.
Lending his voice on the need for transparency, Otumba Ogunojemite urged Freight Forwarders to be patriotic in their dealings by not circumventing the law. He canvassed for regular interface between Customs and Stakeholders before taking major decisions, as well as the need to review such decisions overtime with stakeholders.
APFLON calls for caution, reforms, continuous training and retraining of Customs officers, especially those Manning sensitive positions.
The Association seized the opportunity to appeal to the Chairman, Council For The Regulation of Freight Forwarding Practice in Nigeria, CRFFN, ALlhaji Abubakar Tsanni and the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Hameed Ali, to appeal to the Federal Government on rehabilitation of Oshodi/Apapa Port Access Road, to ease business activities.
