House of Rep. Invites Customs,ANLCA For Amicable Settlement

CG Ali 

By Niyi Ogungbola

The National House of Assembly has invited Nigeria Customs Sevices and the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) to appear before the House  Committee on Customs and Excise on Thursday 14th of October, 2021.

First Awareness learnt that ,the invitation was due to the  allegation made against the ANLCA that it's operations were  hindering the process of the Customs engaging in 100% examination of cargoes within the Ports and terminals.

First Awareness reports that ,the Association has  been invited by the House before now and  the Vice President Dr. Kayode Farinto represented the body.

At the first meeting with the House,,First Awareness learnt that Dr. Farinto  presented  ANLCA position on the allegation made against them. 

"It should be recalled that the Management team of the NCS had alleged that the ANLCA has been hindering the process of the Customs engaging in 100% examination of cargoes within the Ports and terminals and this allegation has strained the relationship between the two  Organizations.

First Awareness is however in doubt wether Customs Management has been invited before now or not after the said allegation was made.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives  has found it necessary and important to quickly resolve the perceived misunderstanding between the two bodies.

The letter of invitation which was signed by Hon. Leke Abejide, the Chairman of House Committee on Customs and Excise reads in part “The ongoing misunderstanding between two critical stakeholders in the Nigerian Ports has been brought to the notice of the Committee and knowing fully the importance of these critical stakeholders in the area of revenue generation which is equally critical to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Committee deemed it expedient to mediate and resolve the issue amicably without media war”.

"The two parties are scheduled to meet with the Committee on Thursday, the 14th of October inside the meeting room 447, 4th floor of the house of Representatives".