ANLCA Bags WCO’s Award For Supporting Customs Operational Efficiency

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Friday, January 26th received the World Customs Organization (WCO) Award in recognition of its partnership role in supporting the operational efficiency of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

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.

The honour and recognition is coming on the heels of the 2024 International Customs Day (ICD) celebration which was held at the Customs Training School, Ikeja Lagos. The 2024 ICD  has “Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose” as theme.

Meanwhile, the National President of ANLCA, Mr. Emenike Nwokeoji in his goodwill message to the NCS tasked the leadership and his management to ensure that export cargoes are process in a one-stop-shop in order to raise the efficiency level of the processes, noting that such improvement will increase the nation’s foreign exchange earning capacity in addition to improving her growth development recovery index through improved trade facilitation.

“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”, Nwokeoji said, adding:

“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.”

The ICD 2024 celebration witnessed wide attendance from a cross section of the economy, including stakeholders from the ministry of trade and commerce, ministry of finance, manufacturing, the academia and the media.

Also in attendance was the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr Bashir Jamoh, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko, the executive secretary/CEO of the Nigerian shippers council. Barrister Akuta Pius Ukeyima , amongst many other stakeholders and captains of industry.

Chieftains of ANLCA who graced the occasion alongside Nwokeoji includes the Vice President, Prince Segun Oduntan, former Acting National President, Dr. Kayode Farinto, Patron, Prince Taye Oyeniyi, National Financial Secretary of ANLCA, Hajia Bola Muse, Tin Can chapter; Alhaji Mojeed Olomola, Murtala Mohammed International Airport Chapter Chairman, Senior Special Assistants to the President, Alhaji Ayokunle Sulaiman, former Tin Can Chapter Secretary, Barr. Michael Ovien, Alhaji Rilwan Amuni, among others.

After receiving the WCO’s Award presented by the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Wale Adeniyi MFR, and assisted by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola CON, Nwokeoji and his exco members, including former leaders and elders of the association posed for group photographs.