COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A TWO DAY ZONAL SENSITIZATION SEMINAR ON DESTINATION INSPECTION SCHEME FOR SOUTH EAST IMPORTERS AND STAKEHOLDERS, AT ONITSHA, ON 5TH MAY, 2010.

The convening of the zonal sensitization seminar was at the instance of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Dr. Ochi Achinivu, ostensibly to build capacity for our importers and other stakeholders, to enhance service delivery in the Destination Inspection Scheme. The seminar, in the South-East Zone took place from 4th to 5th May 2010. At the end of the seminar the following communique were issued:

·    The vibrant importers and other stakeholders of the destination inspection scheme in the south-east Nigeria welcome and appreciated Federal Government’s effort at convening the sensitization seminar at an appropriate time like this. Consequently, they called on Government to make the event a bi-annual one, if only to achieve full enlightenment and mobilization.

·    That the federal ministry of finance should involve the importers, authorized banks, freight forwarders, licensed custom agents and other stakeholders in planning and preparation for future seminars to enable mass mobilization of members to participate.

·    Seminar frowned at the continued ban by the Federal Government on importation of textiles even when the local industry is moribund and Government is doing very little to prop them up. Seminar therefore called on government to remove the ban on importation of textile until such a time the domestic manufacturing companies assume serious production and can produce what is needed like silk, wool and linen materials.

·    Seminar called on Government to direct the Nigerian Custom Service to strictly adhere to the policy of limiting patrol team operations to within 40km radius from the border areas, rather than extending to the hinterland.

·    On custom reforms, the seminar noted the need to “RE-BRAND” the service to enable the achievement of true reforms that will improve national revenue collections.

·    Importers and other stakeholders at the seminar called on the Federal Government to ensure that import tariffs are stable over an appreciable time instead of the frequent changes or reviews being experienced in the polity.

·    Seminar appealed to the Federal Government to urgently upgrade, complete and commence operation at the onitsha sea port, in view of the high level sea-related commercial activities undertaken by South East business class. The presence of a Sea Port here will turn out high revenue and employment opportunities for Nigerian youths.

·    Seminar observed the unnecessary disparity in freight costs between southern and western ports, and called for the unification and administration of a single freight cost structure, beneficial to the economy and the importers, in particular.

·    In subsequent seminars for importers and other stakeholders, efforts should be made to apprise importers of the nature of imports allowed by Government.

·    Importers are of the view that the lifespan of form “M” , now called  electronic form “M”, should be reviewed upwards to 12 (twelve) months from the operating 6 (six) months.

·    Seminar called for the harmonization of activities of port inspection agencies, like SON, NAFDAC, NDLEA, etc in order to avoid job duplication and achieve cost reduction.

·    The Federal Government was called upon to intervene in the operation of Terminal operators who outrageously charge importers, thereby increasing open market prices of goods or materials.

·    Federal Government to review port charges downwards since the ports are now concession.

·    Seminar called for a 2nd dry port in the south east region to be cited at Onitsha, due to high volume activities.

·    Seminar observed the improper dredging of the River Niger and called on Government to direct the contractors to discontinue dredging and dumping dredged sand into the same river.