At International Customs Day 2024: ANLCA Receives WCO Award for Enhancing Customs Operational Efficiency
L-R: Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola presenting the WCO Award of recognition to ANLCA President, Emenike Nwokeoji, assisted by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi
…President Emenike Nwokeoji Calls for One-Stop-Shop for Export Cargoes
By DAPO OLAWUNI
The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) was on Friday 26th honored with an award of recognition by the World Customs Organization (WCO) at the 2024 International Customs Day celebration held at Customs Training School, Ikeja Lagos.
The celebration which saw attendance of critical stakeholders in the import and export logistics chain had the Theme; “Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose”
The ANLCA award was presented by the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Wale Adeniyi, assisted by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and it was received by the ANLCA President, Emenike Nwokeoji.
According to the WCO, the presentation of Certificate of Merit to ANLCA was is in recognition of its sustained constructive engagement with the Nigeria Customs Service in enhancing its operational efficiency.
Meanwhile, in his goodwill at the ceremony, the ANLCA President, Emenike Nwokeoji tasked Customs to ensure that all export cargoes are process in a one-stop-shop in order to increase foreign exchange earning and rescue the nation’s economy.
Emenike said “Having a one-stop-shop for export cargoes is long overdue, across the border in Ports of Ghana for instance, all exports are processed in one place, and as the cargoes leave the warehouse, they are leaving straight for the vessel. This is the time for Nigeria to do the same and I want the CG of Customs to look into it.
“As we celebrate the International Customs Day for this year 2024, the Theme for the year is apt, collaboration with a purpose, then we ask, what is this purpose of partnership?
The purpose is for trade facilitation which we need now more than ever. The purpose is for synergy between government and the agencies that work with them.
“We need access in order for us to collaborate effectively, the information from us as critical stakeholders needs to be passed through to the customs on time, and if you miss it, you may miss the real purpose for collaboration.
“It should not only be about revenue generation, the economy needs a whole lot of re-engineering at this time, we need to look at ways to help the economy, especially the exchange rate that is unpredictable, the cargo traffic is dropping everyday because of the fluctuations in exchange rate” he concluded
The ANLCA entourage to the International Customs Day 2024 included the President, Emenike Nwokeoji, His Vice President, Prince Segun Oduntan,ANLCA Patron, Prince Taiye Oyeniyi, National Financial Secretary of ANLCA, Hajia Bola Muse, former Vice President, Dr Kayode Farinto, Senior Special Assistants to the President; Alhaji Ayokunle Sulaiman, Alhaji Rilwan Amuni. Others are representative of Tin Can chapter; Alhaji Mojeed Olomola, Barr Michael Ovien and a whole lot of other members.
