COVID -19: ANLCA backs closure of seaports, calls for charges waiver

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has called for total lockdown of seaports as done in the airports and boarder stations, this it said would help to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus, and to protect the Nigerian workforce operating in the ports.

It called for the enforcement of “Force Majeure”  and appealed to the federal government  to prevail on shipping companies, terminal operators and other agencies in the ports to be prepared to waive all charges, taxes and fees during this period of national compromise at all levels.

Hon. Nwabunike

The Appeal was contained in a letter to the Vice President of Nigeria, Proff. Yomi Osinbajo by ANLCA titled, ‘The Need for “Force Majeure” as it Concerns Importers & Exporters in Nigeria.’

In the letter signed by the National President of ANCLA, Hon. Iju  Tony Nwabunike, they pledged their total  support to the closure of all routes and avenues that could help spread the virus, stating that it has shutdown it’s secretariat and have advised members across the country to practice the Self  Distancing and observe the stay at home order as issued by the Federal Government.

Nwabunike called on the federal government to prevail on shipping companies, terminal operators and other agencies in the ports to be prepared to waive all charges, taxes and fees during this period of national emergency.

He further said, “we seek for all demurrage, rents, penalties etc emanating from inability to clear cargoes as at when due from the ports  at this period to be   waived effective from the first week of March, 2020 when the first case of the deadly virus was detected in Nigeria through an Italian citizen.

“Your Excellency, we are appealing that you dey  use your good office to ensure that this is implemented  Immediately. Note that we are dealing with concessionaires, shipping companies and others  who are mainly foreigners, hence the need for government intervention  and  enforcement has become necessary.”

He restated that the import of the letter was expedient in order to help build conflict free and friendly  business operating environment, even at the post COVID -19 era.

“We also  want to use this medium to assure the Federal Government of Nigeria that ANLCA and all it’s members across the country  will support the government and all its agencies in the ports to make sure government achieve its objectives in making sure activities in the ports  return to normal, especially in the collection  of revenue,” he said.