…..Urges establishment of Export Processing Plant in Enugu
A group of Professional Customs Agents under the uspices of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents ANLCA , has lamented the over six years ban placed on the Enugu area command of the Nigeria Custom Service from receiving imported medicament, saying that it ” is a big irony in a state where the state government is constructing the biggest medical facility in Nigeria .
The Association said the ban was a big disservice to the facility and the state.. The group therefore, called on the federal government to lift the ban.
The call was made by the first newly elected chairman of the Enugu state chapter of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents ( ANLCA)Hon Chukwudi Ezinwa, in his inaugural speech at the inauguration of the executives held at the Customs area command.
He said the ban should be lifted considering the dangers such prohibition pose to the Southeastern part of Nigeria in times of medical needs and emergency. “Lifting will help to see that the association problem is solved already”, Ezinwa said.
He appreciated the pioneer chairman of the Enugu Chapter, Abugu Chinedu and the outgoing chairman, Prince Alex Nwokeabia Ejiamatu for their good works in the association.
He assured that his leadership shall continue to work hand-in-hand with members to harness their wealth of experiences in achieving objectives of the association, ANLCA and the dream of their National President who is the result-oriented president.
He enumerated some of the challenges they had to include : low cargo, the intermittent closure of the airport, and the difficulty of having an airline. “The problems in our eyes are huge but I want to announce that they are surmountable”, he assured..
He called for synergy with the customs to get templates and benchmarks for smooth and fast clearance of frequently imported goods.
“My administration shall have a great space for mutual relationships with other government agencies, though not negating the laws and act guide different government agencies. We are law-abiding citizens we are not infallible, and on that, I plead that we are seen as part progress and not competitors.
“We are not leaving out colleagues who operate in different bonded terminals; we are working on creating an integrated database system for easy access to information. The system shall be built in such a manner that the collation of challenges faced by our members will receive an immediate response and action.
“The association shall further articulate in her schedule to visit all the various bonded terminals in the Enugu command and integrate them into the mainstream operation platforms at the command.
“We are going to set up a response team in all the bonded terminals and a head office at Enugu International Airport. We know our award-winning airport manager who now doubles as the regional manager should please, allocate a space to set up our office within the airport which will enable LIS to function optimally.
“We plead with the Enugu State Government to build a Processing Plant (EPP), as it is in Abuja and Kano. Doing that will enhance export in Enugu International Airport, and in the same vein, attract other International airlines to start applying for the Enugu route.
Our leadership shall be all-encompassing irrespective of the chosen path in this industry. I, therefore, asked for support, cooperation and prayer I want us to bear in that for this administration to overcome the challenges, we need all hands to be on deck to achieve the desir results.
In his speech , the national president of ANLA , Emenike Nwokeoji, congratulated the newly elected Executives. He said Enugu state is strategically located and he will support the new executives. He commended the Governor of Enugu state for good works in the state, and appealed to the state government build Export Processing plant, so that people whill not only be producing but also be exporting their their products.
The National President lamented that there is no cargo flight in Enugu . He however ,assured they were going to meet with the state Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah to deliberate and tackle the challenges.
Immediate past chairman, Prince Alex îNwokeabia Ejiamatu in his remarks, thanked members of the Association 8 their support. He assured his support to the first elected executives of he union, noting that the past executives were appointed and they could not do much because their power was limited.
Good will messages were delivered by the Nigerian Shippers council, and the Enugu Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture( ECCIMA). They all assured support to ANLCA.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama
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