Customs agents demand improved infrastructure at Onne port

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has decried the poor state of road infrastructure at Onne Port, urging the Federal Government to fix the roads.

The association also called on the government to provide incentives that would make Onne Port and other Eastern ports attractive for importers and shippers.

Mike Ebeatu, chairman of ANLCA, Onne Seaport chapter, who made the call in a statement on Monday, said the chapter had been enjoying a cordial working relationship with officers of the Nigeria Customs Service.

“For the umpteenth time, we once again urge the Federal Government to step up efforts at fixing our port access road from Port Harcourt through Eleme to Onne on time and create incentives to make the Onne and entire Eastern ports attractive to importers and shippers,” Ebeatu said.

The Onne ANLCA chairman said he had been inundated by media reports alleging that officers of the NCS in Onne Port extort monies or demand bribes from licensed agents to exit consignments, adding, however, that it was untrue to the best of his knowledge.

“While we constantly engage the Customs for improved operational relationship, the association in Onne Port under my leadership frowns at any form of unlawful dealings like smuggling, under-declaration, under-valuation and concealment,” Ebeatu said.

He further stated that there was constant engagement and compliance of members of the association on the ethics of the profession.

“Our members are constantly sensitized to operate in compliance with the extant import and export prohibition lists. They have no reason to pay bribes either at the points of examination or at the exit gate,” Ebeatu said.

“We are aware that the giver and taker are liable by law and therefore distance ourselves from such things. Our confidence is rooted in our sincerity of purpose which has been passed to our importers too,” he said.