Member, House of Representatives, representing Ibadan North-East/ South-East Federal Constituency, Vice-chairman House Committee On Airforce, Hon. Abass A. Adigun (Agboworin) on the floor of the green chamber of the national assembly moved a motion on the need for the Nigeria Customs Service to Strictly Implement the Executive Order on the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria on Wednesday 17th November, 2021.
The House:
Notes that on May 18, 2016, the erstwhile Acting President and current Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo signed an Executive Order on the ease of doing business in Nigeria, part of which was regulation of operations at the ports, which empowered the Nigeria Customs Service to coordinate other examining agencies;
Also notes that around 80 per cent of global trade by volume and over 70 per cent of global trade by value are carried out by sea are handled by ports worldwide:
Further notes that the Executive Order was issued to eliminate the problems that were hitherto associated
with clearing goods at the port to ease doing business in the country;
Aware that the Executive Order is in tandem with the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC), which is aimed at Facilitating trade by harmonizing and simplifying customs procedures and practices;
Concerned that despite the Executive Order, the level of delay in clearing procedure at the ports in Nigeria is still alarming and has resulted in situations where importers and clearing agents are made to pay exorbitant charges tor demurrage to shipping companies and terminal operators;
Also concerned that the delay in clearing procedures has negatively impacted Nigeria’s economy as many companies have closed down, thereby contributing to the rise in prices of goods;
Further concerned that when Cargoes are eventually cleared after a long delay, the importers tend to adjust prices of the goods to reflect the additional expenses, thus creating a situation that is perpetually reducing
the purchasing power of the masses;
Also aware that the National Single Window project was introduced in Nigeria to integrate all agencies involved in the clearance of Cargoes at the ports to ease and hasten inspection, calculation and payment of all import duties, levies and other charges at the nation’s ports;
Disturbed by allegations of artificial bottlenecks devised by customs officials to exploit importers, which has
resulted in huge financial losses for importers and clearing agents;
Cognizant that unless there is a reform of ports operations to reduce the number of Customs units involved in cargo cleaning, the turn – around time will continue to be impacted negatively;
Resolves to:
(i) Urge the Nigeria Customs Service to ensure that import duties and levies for all categories of goods are clearly stated online and at all customs offices so that intending importers can simply use their bill of laden details to make payment and that the 24-hour cargo clearance stipulated by the Service is implemented;
(ii) also urge the Federal Government to ensure that all examining agencies, especially the Nigeria Customs Service are connected to the National Single Window project to make the ports more effective,
(u) mandate the Committee on Customs to investigate the alleged importing and clearing ring at the Nigeria Customs šervice and report back within three (3) weeks to further legislative action.
Signed
Director Of Communication And Media
17th November, 2021.