ANLCA Western Zone Coordinator Hits Ground Running, Visits Three Chapters, Discuss Challenges
ANLCA Coordinator West, Alhaji Femi Anifowose (left) in handshakes with PTML Customs Area Controller, Compt Saidu Abba Yusuf during ANLCA's tour of chapters in the Western Zone
…Apologises to PTML Customs Over Arrogant Display of Agents to Customs CG
By DAPO OLAWUNI
The Zonal Coordinator West, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Alhaji Femi Anifowose has hit the ground running with his latest visit to three chapters of the association in a bid to tackle members operational challenges.
In a statement by the Secretary of the Zone, Alhaji Idowu Owoade, the ANLCA Zonal Coordinator West, Anifowose was accompanied on the visit by other national officers and charpters chairmen and executives.
The team’s first point of call was PTML Terminal where they held a meeting with the Customs Command.
Speaking at the meeting, the PTML Chapter Vice Chairman, Chief Charles Nwaneri briefed the Custom Comptroller, Compt Yusuf on the purpose of the visit which bothers on how some miscreants stormed PTML terminal during the CGC visits and passed derogatory statement to the CGC while addressing freight forwarders.
The action was condemned by the visiting ANLCA team and they subsequently apologised to the Customs Comptroller.
The Comptroller in response, condemned the actions displayed by the ANLCA members, despite his efforts in taking the CGC around the terminal to see for himself the situations on ground.
He said that the essence was to create a soft landing in the revenue drive, but the actions was jopadised by the aggrieved ANLCA members.
Also speaking, Secretary of the Presidential Committee on Customs and Agent Relations, Alhaji Bayo Oyekangun delivered ANLCA President’s goodwill messages to the Comptroller and also appeal to the entire PTML custom management that such arrogant display will never happened again.
He recounted the effort of the CGC in resolving ANLCA’s 5 years crisis within a short time, saying that the association cannot not afford to distabilize the system that feeds its members.
The Zonal Coordinator, Alhaji Anifowose later decorated the Area Comptroller with ANLCA lapel.
The Western Zone train moved to Apapa Customs Command where Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeola and his management team received them.
The zonal coordinator notified the Comptroller of the operational challenges which ANLCA members were facing in the hands of customs officers and terminal operators which includes Alerts from CPC, CIU, Valuation units, enforcement unit, scanning seat and delays at the exit gate.
The Secretary of Custom and Agents Relation Alh Bayo Oyekangun emphasized on the need for the Area Comptroller to address those issues affecting members in line with the CGC promises of facilitation of trade through ease of doing business to create an enabling environment for importers and exporters within the zone
The Area Comptroller in his response promised to address those issues. He expressed happiness seeing ANLCA coming out from its 5-years long crisis through the help of the CGC.
Compt Jaiyeola said his doors are open for members who have genuine declarations and that he is ready to solve problems.
He equally promised to address the issue of scanning delay inside the terminals.
The team later proceeded to the Tin Can Island Port, specifically to Five Star Logistics Terminal to address the notification of increase in terminal charges and other operational challenges by the terminal operator.
The Five Star Logistics Terminal was represented by the General Manager who in his opinion said the terminal did not have control over the increments in its charges and that there is no way they can increase without the knowledge of shippers council.
He advised the ANLCA team to channel its grievances to the shippers council concerning the increament.
Mr Chucks Okereafor, the Customer Relations Manager of the terminal also appealled to ANLCA to allow the increment in charges to stay. He said that there has been an increase in the operational cost of running the ports
He also emphasized the fact that Five Star Logistics Terminal is the only terminal operator that waived almost 90% of the demmurage on overtime vehicles and cargoes.
In response to this, Alh Femi Anifowose said the management should hold on and not to implement the proposed increments slated for 15th October 2023 pending ANLCA’s meeting with the shippers council.
He also requested for 2-days additional grace period on terminal charges instead of the 1-day grace period being granted.
On the two request, the management promise to make a review and get back to the executives before the implementation of the increments.
Those in attendance during the visits included;
Zonal coordinator (west)Alh Femi Anifowose and his secretary Alh Idowu Owoade, Secretary custom and Agents relation Alh Bayo Oyekangun, Emmanuel C. Onyeme, National Publicity Secretary.
Others are; Chairman, Presidential Task Force Western Zone, Pastor Goddy Soleji, Protocol Officer to the President Alh Rilwan Amuni,
Ojo Peter Akintoye, Mohammed Mojeed both Executives officers from tincan port charpter, Kayode Jejeloye Vice Chairman Apapa Charpter, Mrs Toyin Oyeleke Chairperson KLT Charpter, Oluwasegun Alabi, Sodiq Animasahun and Seyi Adebiyi.
