AREFFN, Apapa Customs Seek Stronger Collaboration to Improve Port Operations

…Oshoba urges dialogue, integrity, compliance as freight forwarders raise concerns over foreign participation

The Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria, AREFFN and the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Apapa Area Command, have called for stronger collaboration, continuous engagement and improved professionalism among freight forwarders, customs officers and other stakeholders to enhance trade facilitation and improve the business environment.

The call was made on Wednesday when the leadership of AREFFN, led by its Acting National President, Chief Obiekezie Francis Uchenna, paid a courtesy visit to the Apapa Customs Command.

Speaking during the visit, Obiekezie called for a stronger and more constructive relationship between licensed customs agents and the NCS, stressing that freight forwarders should be regarded as critical partners in the trade facilitation process rather than adversaries.

He said effective communication, mutual respect and understanding between Customs and licensed freight forwarders would contribute to greater efficiency at the ports and deliver broader benefits to the Nigerian economy.

According to him, AREFFN remained committed to encouraging its members to operate professionally, comply with customs regulations and support government policies aimed at improving the ease of doing business.

He, however, appealed to the Customs authorities to address the challenges confronting Nigerian customs licence holders, particularly what he described as the increasing involvement of foreigners in activities traditionally carried out by indigenous practitioners.

Obiekezie said many Nigerian freight forwarders were struggling to remain in business amid declining opportunities, with some practitioners leaving the sector while others were finding it increasingly difficult to sustain their operations.

He urged the Customs authorities to take the concerns of indigenous customs agents seriously and convey them to relevant government authorities for consideration.

He also called for fair treatment of Nigerian freight forwarders in their dealings with customs officials, stressing that they were licensed practitioners performing legitimate functions within the port and wider trade ecosystem.

The AREFFN leader further raised concerns over the multiplicity of freight forwarding associations in the country, saying the development should not become a source of division among practitioners.

He disclosed that the current leadership of AREFFN was working towards greater cooperation and unity among freight forwarding associations to promote peace, professionalism and effective representation within the sector.

He said greater collaboration among the associations would make it easier for government agencies and other stakeholders to engage practitioners through clearly defined channels.

Obiekezie also emphasised the need for greater investment in training and professional development, particularly for young Nigerians interested in customs brokerage and freight forwarding.

He said AREFFN wanted to improve the public perception of the profession by encouraging young people to regard customs brokerage and freight forwarding as legitimate professional careers and avenues for serving the country.

He stressed that technology and institutional reforms could only produce the desired results if the people operating the system embraced ethical standards and changed their mindset.

“We want to regulate our good side,” he said, emphasising the need for professionalism, integrity and compliance among practitioners.

Responding, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, called for stronger collaboration and continuous engagement among customs officers, licensed customs agents, importers, freight forwarders, journalists and other stakeholders in the maritime industry.

Oshoba said consolidation of the achievements recorded by previous administrations and stakeholders was essential to sustaining progress in the industry, stressing that unity remained critical to achieving a common national objective.

He urged stakeholders to acknowledge and build on the contributions of those who had served before them rather than attempting to reinvent the wheel.

“Collaboration is key for us. Amongst officers, amongst agents, among all the key stakeholders in this business, there is need for constant collaboration,” he said.

The CAC also urged stakeholders to abandon an “us versus them” mentality, noting that all parties were Nigerians and partners in the development of the country.

He said continuous engagement and dialogue were necessary to resolve disagreements, warning that confrontation between customs officers and stakeholders could negatively affect businesses, government revenue and the wider economy.

Oshoba further stressed the importance of integrity and compliance, urging freight forwarders and other stakeholders to resist pressure to facilitate the clearance of prohibited or harmful goods.

He explained that the NCS had a responsibility to protect society through effective customs control and vigilance, noting that seizures and interceptions of illicit substances, counterfeit pharmaceuticals and other harmful products formed part of the Service’s mandate to protect public health and national security.

The Customs Area Controller also highlighted some of the modernisation and trade facilitation initiatives being implemented by the Service, including the scanning of containers at Apapa Port.

According to him, containers are being scanned and the images stored for further review, with the process designed to strengthen customs control while facilitating legitimate trade.

Oshoba encouraged importers to take advantage of the NCS Advance Ruling system, which enables them to obtain decisions on issues such as tariff classification, customs valuation and origin before importing their goods.

He explained that Advance Ruling could reduce disputes and provide greater certainty for importers, particularly those repeatedly importing the same category of goods.

The CAC also encouraged compliant businesses to work towards achieving Authorised Economic Operator, AEO status, stressing that consistency in compliance was essential.

He said AEO benefits could include faster processing and movement of compliant consignments, thereby reducing costs and unnecessary delays.

Oshoba further urged stakeholders experiencing operational challenges to utilise the Command’s One-Stop Shop and Post-Clearance Audit, PCA mechanisms.

“If you have anybody delaying your job or anything, please let us know,” he said, assuring stakeholders that the Command remained available to address legitimate complaints and resolve operational challenges.

On AREFFN’s concern over the involvement of foreign nationals in freight forwarding and related businesses, Oshoba called for a broader national discussion on the issue, particularly where such activities involved sensitive locations such as seaports and airports.

He observed that some businesses involving foreign interests appeared to operate through Nigerian-registered companies, making it necessary for relevant authorities and stakeholders to examine the implications for local employment, livelihoods and national security.

The CAC also offered to support capacity-building initiatives for AREFFN members, urging the association to formally request training from the Command in areas including valuation, PCA, customs procedures, rules and regulations.

He said the Command had competent officers who could provide relevant training to customs agents and their employees.

Oshoba further appealed to freight forwarders to ensure that cleared containers were promptly evacuated from the port premises, warning that lingering containers and the activities of some truckers could create traffic and security challenges around the port.

He urged stakeholders to educate truckers on proper conduct and compliance with port safety requirements.

The CAC reiterated the Command’s commitment to maintaining an atmosphere of peace and cooperation, urging stakeholders to resolve disputes through dialogue rather than confrontation.

He thanked the AREFFN leadership for the courtesy visit and commended the association for its cooperation and patience in working with the Customs Service.

“On behalf of the Customs Service, my officers and I, we appreciate the good work you’re doing. We appreciate the collaboration, we appreciate the cooperation and we appreciate the patience,” Oshoba said.

The visit ended with both sides reaffirming the importance of partnership, dialogue, professionalism and capacity building towards improving trade facilitation, port efficiency and the overall business environment.

Photo: (L-R): Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba presenting a souvenir to Chief Obiekezie Francis Uchenna, Acting National President, AREFFN during a courtesy visit to Apapa Customs Command headquarters in Lagos Wednesday.

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