Hyacinth Chinweuba
The Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) has charged importers, exporters and customs agents to strictly comply with trade regulations as the only way to save them from unnecessary delays at the ports or border stations.
The Council also urged importers and customs agents should comply with all customs clearance procedures in order to avoid any problem when clearing goods at the ports or border stations.
Speaking during an enlightenment seminar on ethics and integrity, the Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr Hassan Bello said the Council was all out to create awareness in the industry so that stakeholders can enjoy efficiency and effectiveness while doing business at the ports.
Bello who was represented by the Deputy Director, Compliance and Monitoring of the Council, Chief Cajethan Agu said the council was determined to educate all shippers and freight forwarders on trade procedures to ensure smooth trade facilitation.
According to him, it was important for all the stakeholders to always consider the place of ethics and integrity as required in international business.
Bello particularly called on the importers and customs agents on the need for genuine goods declaration and proper documentation, adding that this will make government to trust them and also make things easier for them.
He said, “When cargoes are sincerely declared and proper documentation made in line with established guidelines, government will have more trust in the shippers and international trade will become a lot easier and less cumbersome.
“The thrust of this seminar will further create awareness among stakeholders on the benefits of making genuine and proper declaration of trade which include improved revenue to government, reduce delays at the port and increase government confidence in dealing with shippers.” .
The Zonal Coordinator of Zone ‘A’, Nigeria Customs Service, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG), Monday Abueh also called on importers and customs agents to follow rules on international trade.
The ACG who was represented by the Deputy Controller, Enforcement, Tin can Island Port command, Dera Nnadi, was of the view that automation in the ports will check corruption in the system.