…Nwabunike tasks new executives to educate members on compliance
Paul Ogbuokiri
As the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Teusday in Lagos held its much awaited Western chapters’ executives elections, the National President of the association, Hon. Iju Tony Nwabunike has enjoined newly elected chapter executives in Western Zone to educate importers on compliance.
Speaking shortly after the winners in the election were declared by the Association Electoral Committee (ASECO), Nwabunike said customs brokers are in a good position to educate and remind importers on the provisions of import prohibition list.
According to him, customs brokers have had cause to indemnify importers who breached the guidelines thereby bearing their risks when actually the brokers never knew true contents of imported cargoes.
The president further charged the newly elected officials to sensitise their members on the need to honest in their declarations and uphold the attribute of integrity at all times.
” I congratulate you on your victory and urge you to see your new positions as call to service to humanity through our great association. I applaud your spirit of sportsmanship in the election and enjoin all chapter members and government agencies to cooperate with you.
” Importers are critical stakeholders whose business activities gets us engaged and make our ports productive. As customs brokers interfacing with the Nigeria Customs Service and importers, I urge you to devote time in educating importers on government import prohibition list and items restricted from access to foreign exchange.
“You are also enjoined to employ dialogue with your knowledge of tariff, Harmonised System (HS) Code and other government circulars in your engagements with the customs too
” Don’t see compliance as a mere mantra, it should be your guiding principle at all times to save you time, cost and earn your integrity credits for future incentives like fast track.
“Always keep touch with the national secretariat for guidance and enhanced communication . Please be law abiding in all you do as we all have a collective responsibility of mentoring younger persons that will advance the cause of our profession
Ojo Peter Akintoye emerged as Chairman of Tin Can Island Port Chapter; Otunba Sunday Oyebola, Chairman PTML Chapter; Esther Toyin Oyeleke, Chairman KLT Chapter and Chief Sylvester Budu emerged as Chairman Apapa Port Chapter.
Speaking on behalf of the various chapters, Akintoye assured Nwabunike that they will make the association proud by keeping to it’s constitution and protecting members legitimate interests.
