The Association of Nigerian licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has urged
the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to re-consider the ban on
importation of vehicles through the land borders.
Chairman, Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Bisiriyu
Lasisi Fanu made the call in a chat with newsmen in Seme. He stated
that the importation of vehicles through the land borders has provided
employment to over 500,000 graduates, who would have ordinarily be
roaming the streets due to massive unemployment situation in the
country.
He said such policy in the past had led to serious revenue leakages and massive smuggling along the border areas.
According to him, “Nigeria Government
generates enough revenues on vehicle importations through the land
borders; Seme Customs Area Command alone generates above N600, 000,000
monthly on vehicles duties. This figure was undoubtedly part of the
projected budget for 2016 and if proper measures are in place, we should
not be talking of borrowing N30, 000,000,000 to fund this year’s
budget.
“Federal Government is unwittingly trying
to ignite another form of crisis along the border areas in South West,
North Central and North West, where smugglers will do everything to
carry out their dastardly acts of terrorism. Sabotaging the economy as
we are currently experiencing in the South-south with the militants
blowing up oil installations and Boko Haram insurgency activities in the
North east, we may be having too many troubles on our hands to contend
with at the same time.”
He added that smuggling activities at
Nigeria seaports are equally high, stressing that high rate of smuggling
activities take place on daily basis at the seaport in the form of
wrong declarations, concealments, under valuation, flying etc.
“World Customs Organisation (WCO) had
stated it clearly that no country in the world today can totally
eradicate smuggling but with necessary structures in place should be
able to reduce it and its adverse effect on the economy. No country is
totally independent and self-sufficient. We need each other for
socio-economic growth and survival, Nigeria is not an exception. Our
neighbouring countries joined forces with Nigerians in the fight against
terrorism and insurgency in the North east and if we stop importation
through the land borders, would they be willing to extend hands of
fellowship to us in time of need?
“If there are violations of certain
understandings, such as the MoU between the Federal Republic of Nigerian
and Republic of Benin on cross border issues, signed on Friday 15th
August, 2003 at Badagry, ECOWAS Treaty, Protocols and Agreements with
our neighbouring countries, we are in a better position to enforce their
full and strict implementation. Nigeria was well represented at a
seminar in Ghana in 2012, involving five Nations: Nigeria, Ghana,
Republic of Benin, Togo and Cote d’Ivoire, on WCO data model. Nigeria
ought to have built and created enabling environment for its
implementation which would have introduced safety and secured border
operations on movement of persons, goods and services transiting within
this corridor in West Africa,” he said.
The WCO data model, he said, was to
harmonise data and create single electronic structure for more effective
exchange of information between exporting nation (port of loading) and
importing countries (port of discharge).
“With this no consignment will leave the
country of loading without transmitting all necessary information
electronically to the relevant Authorities at the country of discharge,
if this is fully implemented, revenue leakages will be reduced
drastically across the borders.
“The federal government should therefore
consider our appeal and appreciate the plights of our citizenry that
would be rendered jobless, thereby increasing their sufferings and those
of their individual households, should the ban be allowed to hold.
Furthermore, a grace period of three months would have been more
appropriated to enable Vehicles on board to bath for clearance, if
actually this Government with all her electioneering promises is still
bent on going on to implement this inhuman policy,”he said.
Eromosele Abiodun
No comments:
Post a Comment