APAPA CHAPTER CHAIRMAN OF ANLCA, CHUKWUMALU, CONGRATULATES THE CG OF CUSTOMS ON REELECTION AS WCO CHAIR
By Mcanthony Onuoha
The Chairman of Association of Nigerian Customs Licensed Agents- ANLCA, Apapa Chapter, Chief Emeka Chukwumalu, has congratulated the Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, on his unanimous re-election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council during the organisation’s 147th and 148th Council Sessions held in Brussels, Belgium.
THE CG OF CUSTOMS, BASHIR ADEWALE ADENIYI PhD, MFR.
He described the CGC’s reelection as a milestone achievement and a clear attestation to his visionary leadership and orgazational ingenuity, adding that he had within a short period of time transformed the Nigeria Customs Service, stating that the transformation has resulted in Nigeria’s surging influence in global customs administration.
CHIEF EMEKA CHUKWUMALU, CHAIRMAN, ANLCA APAPA CHAPTER
Chukwumalu commended the Comptroller General of Customs for championing the ongoing customs reform, adding that his innovative ideas have resulted in the organization’s significant improvement in all ramifications.
He made the commendation during an interface with the Prestige Blended Magazine in his Lagos Office. He described the CGC as a patriotic Nigerian who has continued to show unwavering commitment to customs reforms and modernization.
The ANLCA Apapa Chapter Chairman also hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for graciously extending the tenure of the CGC for additional period of six months, adding that the extension was a welcome development and a reward for hard work and genuine commitment.
According to Chukwumalu, Adeniyi’s leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service has been distinguished by brilliant innovations that have significantly enhanced revenue generation, border security, facilitation of legitimate trade, as well as customs operational efficiency.
Continuing, he regretted that, Nigerians do not like change. “Today, l can boldly state that what we have as Nigeria Customs is far better than what we had four years ago. There have been significant changes, the innovative ideas of the current CGC have really modernized the system. With One Stop Shop (OSS) one can do his/her job from home, body contact has been reduced to the bearest minimum. The leadership of the CGC has been marked by bold initiatives that have improved revenue generation, the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), B’Odogwu,
which is home grown, has effectively replaced what we had then. We have successfully migrated from NCIS 11 to a more efficient platform, B’Odogwu. I believe that the reelection of the CGC as WCO Chair will deepen international collaboration, and tremendously promote global trade.”
“We are happy to have a more seamless system, you can easily visualize your backend, unlike before, it is not easy for hackers to hack into your database now though they can go extra mile to wreck havoc but l believe the system is now more formidable than it was.”
“Meanwhile, l want to also commend the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, a very pragmatic administrator, in a very short while, he has proven to be of very rare pedigree, he has been trying so much. There has been continued improvement in revenue generation and overall administration of the Command. He is truly, a seasoned officer.”
” On the issue of gridlock, l can tell you that it borders on lack of coordination, our traffic system at the ports needs to be automated. We are supposed to have a seamless procedure, some of the trucks lining the ports Access roads are often not ready to load. Any truck that is not its turn to load has no business leaving the Truck Transit Point (TTP), but due to endemic corruption that has decided not to leave our system, they allow such trucks to move to the road. Some truckers go into the port, copy container numbers and use them to acquire ETO and resell to transporters. If it is a formalized and seamless system, you get your Eto first before going to load, and the Eto must be attached to the bill of laden only or Terminal Delivery Order (TDO)and not container numbers. Shipping companies are not helping matters either, they are using trucks as their holden bay, and those that are suffering it are the importers and their agents. The little money we deposit at shipping companies are partly lost because of traffic congestions and bottlenecks, and once the deposit is exhausted they start charging the importer upfront and on your next importation they would give you a debit note that would be beyond your imagination because of what was never your fault but their operational lapses. I suggest that all ETOs should be attached to the Bill Laden or TDOs, and all trucks operate from the TTP. Unless you have ETO attached to your Bill of Laden, you do not have any business coming to the Port. All these bottlenecks will not be in existence if traffic activities are well coordinated. ”
“It is unfortunate that once there is a systemic change, you see a lot of people kicking against it because it does not serve their selfish interests. They prefer the old corrupt system which is favouring them to welcoming a systemic change that encourages collective development and progress. If you go to Dubai you experience seamless procedures, go to every modern port, trucks load and leave without obstructing vehicular movements. If we are talking about trade facilitation, we must not only emphasize on traffic management, there must be an overall systemic change and of course, change of mindsets.”
” Once again, on behalf of Apapa Chapter of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents – ANLCA, I congratulate the amiable and workaholic Comptroller General of Customs on his reelection as WCO Chairperson, and his six months tenure elongation, wishing him more outstanding achievements in his quest to hand over a thoroughly modernized Customs Service at the end of his stewardship”, he stated.
