ANLCA’s National President-elect, Iju Tony Nwabunike

By FRANCIS EZEM

The newly elected National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ANLCA, Iju Tony Nwabunike, has said that hence forth, the association would make inputs into Federal Government’s fiscal policies, especially those that affect freight forwarders and customs brokerage agents, including the National Automotive Policy.

Iju Nwabunike, who spoke in an exclusive interview at the weekend, also disclosed that the association under his watch will adopt modern and legitimate mechanisms in addressing all issues that pertain to members’ welfare and efficient port operations, by employing dialogue not confrontation.

“For instance, we would want to make necessary inputs into fiscal policies that affect us, especially fixing of tariffs and charges, we will dialogue with relevant government agencies in this direction. We believe that the government should revisit the issue of the 41 items blacklisted from accessing foreign exchange through the official market. We also think that the government should at this time review its vehicle import policy, especially the ban on the importation of vehicles through the land border.

“Everyone knows that this policy has not achieved its desired objectives for obvious reasons. So it is high time the government allowed the importation of vehicles through land borders, especially Seme and Idiroko but efforts must be made to ensure that appropriate duty is paid on any vehicle so imported. We will not in any way condone or abate sharp practices and so all accruable revenue must go to the government”, he also said emphatically.

Iju Nwabunike, who was the pioneer chairman of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding Practice in Nigeria CRFFN, also hinted that the association will seek a review of import tariff and charges for some staple foods consumed mostly by the poor masses such as rice, tomato puree. He however said it is commendable that the government is trying to encourage local production of such products, but insists that in situations where locally produced ones cannot meet the needs of the over 180 million Nigerians, the shortfall should be imported, at least until the country is self -sufficient in the production of such items.

While commenting on the outcome of the elections and the overwhelming support given to him by members of the association, he pledged that he would do everything to justify the huge confidence reposed on him as exemplified by the massive support he received.

He said: “My victory is not only for members of ANLCA but also victory for all stakeholders because it will bring about total emancipation from foreign domination, since these foreigners have taken over the businesses and jobs for our people. It is total emancipation from the unwholesome activities of some government agencies that do not want to play the game by the rules. It is victory for all the operational challenges faced by our people in the course of doing their legitimate businesses”.

We will ensure that freight forwarders and customs brokerage agents are seen as professionals and not dropouts. We will embark on an aggressive training and re-training of our members to make them globally competitive in their operational activities. We will enthrone a regime of international best practice for our members and also network with international bodies and agencies in terms of training and re-training our members on international best practice. You will see a total re-organisation of the customs brokerage and freight forwarding profession in Nigeria”.