Lagos — Nothing can be as compelling and conquering as an idea whose time has come. The word revolution imports complete change, sometimes quick in relation to its scope, sometime, prolonged but far-reaching. It is not the speed that makes a change in revolution. For instance, the industrial revolution in Western Europe lasted over a century.

When therefore I talk about an ethical revolution for licenced customs Agents, I mean, the deliberate and fundamental change of a long-term decisive impact, to move our profession steadily and permanently in a decernable new direction of operational understanding and dedication to excellence and honesty in mutual respect and tolerance.

I am not at all thinking of a fast cosmetic dress-up effort, a temporary palliative remedy, nor a make shift change rooted adventitiously in the hopes for quick result. Nor indeed and thinking of an utopia-seeking but frustration -inspired violent surgical operation.

Rather I seek a revolution that is well planned and backed by deliberate votes of patriotic Licenced Customs Agents, that unleashes an irreversible action plan, an action plan which will transcend operational regimes and be a truly worthy legacy to be left by the present generation of Agents and which will in time gather enough momentum and effective force to land our dear profession upon a solid and respectable platform of probity and transparency, internal order, external recognition and stable prosperity.

Operational stability cannot come by wishful thinking, but by conscious efforts and tenacious adherence to conserving principles and programme, ethical actions to constantly improve the lot of clearing Agents as inevitable precious players in the nation's International trade.

To effectively and efficiently execute the multi -faceted programme of action required for this continuous cleansing assignment, the whole tiers that make up the whole clearing and forwarding profession, must as a matter of fact be reached.

The Nigeria Freight forwarding sub-sector no doubt has a sizeable volume of operators of proven dedication to the highest order of discipline, public probity and faith in the profession. They, as a matter of necessity, should call to play their individual and collective prowess and dexterity to sanitise the clearing and forwarding profession. This I say because I believe that it is very easy to move up and not so oppressive to stay where we (Agents) are, but it will certainly become revolting for us to have to go back to lower levels of ethical standard in our operations.

Even with the above backdrop, what I propose to do now that we have in positions of authority seasoned and committed professionals like Alhaji A.A. Mustapha, the Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service and Alhaji Ahmed Dabo the NPA boss, is to suggest measures which may be taken to sanitise our business grouping especially our operational attitudes .

These measures includes: _The Association of Licenced Customs Agents (ANLCA) should as a matter of necessity review and broaden its codes of conduct for Agents with due consideration to implementation machinery.

Licenced Agents by their calling, should show commitment towards sanitising the freight forwarding industry by offering employment to smart but unlicenced agents instead of giving them (unlicenced Agents) unprofessional privilege of enjoying the cover of their licences.

The Nigeria Customs Service should automatically withdraw or revoke the practising licence of any Customs licenced Agent found wanting in this unpatriotic act.

ANLCA should periodically organise seminars and workshops for Nigerian importers to educate them on the intricacies of International trade and inculcate in them the values of "real Agents".

Licenced Agents in a bid to enthrone professionalism and establish their relevance should sponsor a bill in the National Assembly which if passed into law shall set up standard entry requirement into the Freight Forwarding business.

The management of Nigeria Customs Service in partnership with that of NPA should articulate an ideal uniform identification scheme nation wide for genuinely licenced Customs Agents. Whatever item that may be used as the instrument of identification must as a matter of fact carry with it very high degree of security guarantee to avoid forgery by unscrupulous touts. The IDs must he personally endorsed by the C.G. of Customs and the M/Ds of of freight forwarding companies.

The Nigeria Customs Service should put in place a quarterly general conference of all licensed Customs Agents in the country. This conference shall be presided over by the ranks of pre-shipment Agencies, NCS, and NPA to inculcate into Agents the dynamism of global clearance procedures.

The Federal Government should empower the Nigeria Customs Service to set up mobile courts in all ports across the country. This development shall induce fear into touts and agents alike and therefore bring under control the different viruses of malpractice associated with cargo clearance.

Finally, the Nigeria Customs Service in a way to lend a helping, hand must reverse to strict enforcement of all its statutory controls over licenced Customs Agents regardless of who is involved.

Inua Mohammed, National Chairman, ANLCA, Lagos.