Customs GTB Bank Suspension: ANLCA Urge Members to Present Receipts, Evidences of Duty Payments

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By DAPO OLAWUNI

Following the suspension of Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) from collection of import duties by the Nigeria Customs Service, clearing agents have started compiling evidence of receipts of duty payments already done, with intentions of retrieving back these monies from the bank.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, Mrs Onome Monije, spokesperson of the Ojo Akintoye faction of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Tin Can Island Port Chapter, said the association has had an audience with the Customs Area Controller, Compt Kunle Oloyede who said that there is nothing customs can do about the agents predicament.

She lamented that some of the jobs that clearing agents paid duty through GTB Bank cannot be processed, and that members who have form M’ for GTB Bank cannot pay duty, yet demurrages are counting.

The statement, she said “Our Executives chairman Ojo Peter Akintoye had a meeting with the Comptroller of our command Kunle Oloyede over the issue with GTbank that is presently generating serious uproar and concern in our business environment.

“Customs categorically stated that they are not the one that blocked GTbank, they only receive directive from the National Assembly to effect the blockage.
They are made to understand that, the National Assembly has given GTbank two weeks notice, to reconcile their revenue account.

“The 2weeks notice has since elapsed without GTB Bank doing the needful and this prompted the National Assembly to wield the big stick on GTbank by instructing customs to block them immediately.

“So, it is the sole responsibility of the bank to inform and update its customers of the predicament facing them prior to the expiration of the time frame given them by the National Assembly.

“They can’t be collecting money on behalf of the government and not remitting to the government coffers”

On customs portal, Mrs Monije stated that it is difficult for clearing agents to switch their banks since GTB has already been chosen.

“Now we are saying that everyone should direct all their grievances on the demurrage challenges being incurred, to the management of GTbank for a way forward, because we are their customers.

She directed members to come up with their details because ANLCA as a body has resolved to engage GTbank in finding a lasting solution to the problem.

She also revealed that the association would be engaging shipping companies in order to create waivers for the clearing agents.

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