By Bon Peters, PORT HARCOURT
The Nigeria Customs Service Area 1 Command Port Harcourt has commenced training its trading community on issues of non-conformities with statutory procedures and other vices in Customs clearance processes.
The event held in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital, was to avail Maritime operators, especially the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Bonded Terminals operations, and shipping agents, among others, the opportunity to understand the Customs Procedure Codes (CPC), to ensure seamless clearance of containers at the ports.
Addressing participants, the Zonal Coordinator, Zone C Customs headquarters Port Harcourt, ACG Olugboyega Peters, expressed happiness with the level of cooperation and synergy among stakeholders and the Nigeria Customs Service.
He charged the operators to be transparent in their declaration as such would ensure clearance of their containers within 48 hours.
“If you’re doing the right thing, your consignment can leave the terminal within 48 hours,” Peters said.
In a lecture, CSC, Joseph Atile said the objective of the interactive session was to create awareness and sensitise personnel and the trading community on the importance and use of correct Customs procedure as it affects imports, exports and transit operations with respect to commonly abused factors on declarations.
He emphasized, Licensed Customs Agents need sound knowledge of tools, processes and documentation, adding that they should embark on consultation and strict adherence to customs procedures, processes and documentation.
Responding, Slot Bonded Terminal Manager, Mr. Fabian Nwanyanwu, said the lecture was impactful.
“What customs is doing today is part of what they ought to do. The Nation is moving forward and customs should not be left behind, my prayer is that everybody should key in and learn since they have promised to be doing it regularly,” he said. “I have learnt today that most of the applications we use during capturing are in error, and as ACG Peters has said, you can’t apply anything you do not know” He added.
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