The National Compliance Joint Taskforce of Licensed Clearing Agents (NCJTFLCA) has sought partnership with the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) on fighting corruption in the port.
Dr Basil Nwolisa, National President, NCJTFLCA, made this known when he and some members paid a working visit to MARAN Secretariat in Lagos.
He disclosed that the joint taskforce was a pressure advocacy group formed to eradicate corruption and extortion of importers, agents and truck owners in the borders and ports as well as on the traffic routes.
According to Nwolisa, people will hear and feel the impact of their operation, noting that they were not established to be partakers in the sharing formula in the port.
“The Nigerian port industry is currently facing numerous man-made challenges, primarily stemming from human weaknesses.
“The most pressing issues include non-compliance with established rules and regulations, such as the ALERT system; deliberate withholding of container deposit refunds by shipping companies.
“Other challenges are the frequent arrests and seizures by FOU of containers duly examined and released by authorised customs officers and other federal government agencies; delays experienced by customs clearance agents at the hands of terminal operators; and extortion of Nigerian trucks on highways.
“These challenges have become an embarrassment to our country before the international trade community,” he said.
He added that to address these issues, the national compliance joint taskforce was established to help Nigeria and Nigerians overcome corruption in the maritime industry and on our highways.
He said that they cannot achieve this goal alone, the reason the partnership with MARAN, to ensure the success of this noble project.
“Your cooperation, collaboration, and consultation will be highly appreciated,” he said.
He also invited MARAN to the third anniversary of the taskforce holding at Rockview Hotel, Festac Town, on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
“The event will include the birthday celebration of taskforce national president, a fundraising program, and the inauguration of various chapters,” he said.
