Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Retired Cornell Hameed Alli has commended the Shippers Association Lagos State (SALS) saying that despite the economic trials in Nigeria occasioned by the falling value of the currency, the customs revenue collections have continued to increase.
Alli gave the commendation yesterday at the opening of a 2-day National Shippers Day Celebration 2016 holding at Rockview Hotels in Apapa Lagos.
The CGC who was represented by the Zonal Coordinator Zone 'A', Assistant Compt. General, Charles Edike noted that without the members of SALS, there would be no cargo at the port and customs revenue will be in jeopardy.
He urged the shippers and importers not to be discouraged by the current downturn in Nigerian economy, noting that the country is undergoing reform and that trade will pick up soonest.
"Before now, there was a lull in importation, but even at that the revenue is increasing, we expect that when there is no importation, revenues should fall but rather it is increasing and this is because of your good works"
"If shippers do not carry the cargo, there is nothing for customs to collect revenue from, I understand the challenges you are facing now, but don't be afraid, match on, things may be hard today but tomorrow it will be better, continue and hold on"
"The CGC is behind you, and whatever the service can do to make your work better we are ready to assist you" Alli assured.
Also speaking at the event, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Barrister Hassan Bello charged SALS members to endeavor to engage themselves in exportation, especially non-oil exports.
Bello said that so far, twenty seven shippers associations have been established across the country. He said that these associations are formidable bodies for cargo protection.
Bello was represented by Mrs Okam Ada, Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Department of the Council.
"Shippers should endeavor to channel efforts into exportation of value adding non-oil exports to generate revenue"
"The Council is still committed to protecting the cargo interest of Nigeria and also enjoined you to remain compliant to both national and international rules guiding global trade practices"
"The SALS have been very active, I must commend them for their doggedness and laudable ideas and I hope they continue" Bello stated
On his opening speech, President of SALS, Reverend Jonathan Nicole said the theme of this year's celebration “Approaching a New Dawn in the Maritime Sector.” is the beginning of the process to get rid of poverty from Nigeria's port system.
Nicole said this event marks the beginning of the Amalgamation of a very viral Maritime Institution that will eventually metamorphose into the Federation of Shippers’ Association in Nigeria (FONSA).
Nicole said that Shippers across Nigeria must come together and fight the economic challenges of the country.
"With a powerful institution such as FONSA, Nigeria will dominate the Maritime Industry and even surprise our Trade partners. The period of isolation is gone. Now cooperative and coordination will save us with the massive changes ahead of us. Our Government will be happy to have such well coordinated institutions behind it" he said
Nicole called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to extend some leverage to the operators in the Maritime Sector as well as to improve on existing facilities, remove the dead infrastructures and give the well tested individuals in the Sector the opportunities to help in Nation building.
"We solicit for the resuscitation of the informal sector of cargo management. The informal sector will contribute as much as 45% of total cargo throughput"
"It is our believe that our Maritime shell covering over 20,000 Sq KM Nigeria its Southern littoral States has naturally positioned itself as a potentially veritable Maritime enclave"
Also speaking, a member of SALS and representative of Dangote Group, Captain Phillip Olukotun lamented that the problem confronting shippers is the arbitrary charges that freight terminal operators.
"We in Dangote are the worst heated in this because of our massive importation of raw materials coming on the vessels and large quantity of containers for our refinery at Lekki Free Trade Zone and the Fertilizer factory also being built at Lekki Free Zone"
"Even the smallest shippers amongst our members are bearing the brunt of this arbitrary increases in charges. But what I always advise the association in my capacity is that we must speak in one voice" he said
National President of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Chief Eugene Nweke charged SALS members to come together and fight arbitrary charges by terminal operators.
"There are lots of charges that shippers are bearing that ought not to be"
"You are paying 7% port surcharge why is this so even when our ports are no longer under NPA? There are three other charges you are paying, swallowing it hook line and sinker" he said.
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