ANLCA BoT election: Group of Nine ‘Like Minds’ unveils agenda, seeks 1% share of Customs revenue

Determined to transform the professional image of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), a group of nine like-minded aspirants in the forthcoming Board of Trustees ( BoT) election of the association has unveiled a four- point agenda they intend to pursue if voted into office.

The group, which consists of seasoned customs brokers namely: Alh. Taiwo Mustapha, Dayo Azeez, Chief Ernest Elochukwu, Denis Okafor, Sunday Momoh, Demola Mumuney, Mohammed Sani Utai, Tunde Awonuga and Kingsley Offor said it’s decision to run for the BoT is driven by their shared vision and experience, which they believe is necessary to champion ANLCA into the future.

Speaking on behalf of the group at a media parley in Lagos on Monday, immediate past Chairman of the BoT, Taiwo Mustapha and fellow aspirant, Dayo Azeez, also cited the group’s decision to run as a response to members’ plea to prevent the association from being hijacked by those who previously tried to sink it.

Mustapha said their return to the board would bring about a new era of unity, progress and development to the association.

He said, “Some of us do not plan to return into the Board, but our members pleaded with us not to allow the association to be hijacked by the same people who tried to sink it during the five years crisis, some of them are the same people now contesting to become board members. We all know that their agenda is to go there and frustrate the present NECOM members.

“I came into the board during an election supervised by Prince Olayiwola Shittu administration in Warri 2014. The tenure was supposed to be for six years. These other people were the ones that created the crisis in the association, so much so that, in year 2020, when the tenure of the BoT would have been renewed by another election, this did not materialize because these other set of people are still hell-bent in bringing ANLCA down.

“We stood our grounds to ensure that the association does not go down, this is the reason why ANLCA members have confidence in those who fought for the association and they requested that we should come back and complete the job.

“If we leave now, the other people will now succeed in tearing ANLCA apart. If eventually we served out our term, we shall be leaving the BoT in the hands of the younger generation, not in the hands of those who failed and tried to kill the association,”

Speaking on the group’s agenda, Mustapha said if elected into office, the group would pursue the chartering of the customs brokerage practice and the demand for one percent commission of the total revenue collection made on behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service.

“The new board aspirants would pursue the Institute of Customs Brokerage which we are expecting to collaborate with customs. This would materialize with the physical foundation of that Institute in a place that is mutually agreed by all members of ANLCA.

He added, “There is nobody who works for the federal government that does not receive commission. Whether it’s a contract, whether it’s supply services, even in teaching.

“I have sat down to think about this issue of one percent, but it is easier said than done. It is true that we want the one percent, but the CGC of customs cannot on his own decide that he wants to start giving us.

“The way we need to go is to push through the National Assembly for it to be part of the law, it is achievable if we kick-start it, even if we don’t achieve it in our time, another generation would achieve it. Today, we have a sitting customs CG who listens to us, and this is a better time to kick start it.

“If a company is able to declare 1,000 SGD’s in a year and it is on the system that you cumulatively generated revenue of say N1billiob to the federal government, one percent of this money is paid back to you. This could also be converted into profit to ANLCA as individuals would give back to the association.”

The group said it would also work with the National Executive Committee (NECOM) to review the association’s relationship with the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), citing concerns over the council’s ineffectiveness and allegations of mismanagement.

They noted that ANLCA, was instrumental in the establishment of CRFFN, but expressed disappointment over the council’s failure to positively impact the industry over the years.

“Since CRFFN has been created till date, the essence of CRFFN has not been positively felt, and this is one of the key areas that we need to agree and look at together when this BoT comes on board.

“The way it is today, CRFFN has lost its essence. Rather, CRFFN is standing like a milking body, really pushing our members to bring out cash, and that is not the essence.

“So, the interest of our industry is no longer what CRFFN can push and that was not the intention from the onset,”

On the indigenization of customs brokerage jobs and clearing licenses, the group said it would promote a bill in the National Assembly to push for the lawful indigenization policy.

“What would happen under this board would be a diligent move to persuade the National Assembly to treat customs brokers as specialised services, it could be a clause or a sentence that would state that the domiciliary of the affairs of customs agents must be indigenous only, this is what was done in Ghana, Benin Republic and Ivory Coast.”

The group explained that the lack of indigenization has caused unease among local practitioners, who fear being displaced by foreigners.

However, they assured that once the chartering is achieved, these fears will dissipate, and every broker will have equal opportunities to thrive.

“For those of us who are afraid that foreigners have taken over our jobs, have we made moves? How many of our people are doing this job the way it is supposed to be done? It’s not just to bear the name ‘clearing agent’, it is your ability to sell your specialty that matters, as long as we fail to do the right thing, foreigners would continue to take our jobs.

“How do you get a job? It depends on where your specialty lies, some of us today are doing jobs for foreigners, that is, jobs owned by foreigners, do you know why? It’s because our job is an international trade. In CAMA (Companies and Allied Matters Act) , once you have a Nigerian registered company, that company must have a Nigerian onboard, that is what the law says. Once you have a limited liability company and you wish to go into customs brokerage, nobody would shut the door against you.

“So, this group is determined to pursue the indigenization policy such that every member of ANLCA and the entire customs brokerage family, clearing and forwarding industry can have a greater sense of fulfillment.

“This agenda is dear to our heart and we will not rest until we kick start the process, because we believe that only ANLCA can do this for Nigeria.”