Lagos — Importers and customs agents who have been forced to end the tradition of concealment and under-declaration of their imports at the ports or have their goods seized have cried out over the menace of government security operatives at the ports.

Comptroller-General of the Customs, Mr. Jacob Buba, had in a circular last year told the commands that all under-declared and concealed goods shall be liable to seizure.

In the circular which is now being enforced, Buba said, "where declaration of goods in terms of description, quantity and weighty on the Clean Report of Inspection (CRI) are found to be at variance with those on the bill of lading, such goods shall be liable to seizue".

But agents who spoke to THISDAY expressed disappointment that while they have tried to keep away from malpractices, government security operatives have continued to device various ways in which they can extort them.

Vice-President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Mr Dayo Azeez , said that his members have been surprised that government security operatives have not helped in any way towards the success of the port reform programme of the government.

Azeez explained that a visit to the office of the State Security Service (SSS) at the Apapa port shows how agents are struggling to get cargo clearance form without which they cannot take their containers out of the port.

He disclosed that the Security agency issued a circular to shipping companies informing them that they should not release any cargo unless there is a clearance.

To get the form, it was gathered that each agent is forced to part with N200 per 20ft container and N400 for 40 ft container.

The money is said to be unreceitped, which in effect means that it may be unofficial.

Azeez explained that among the worry of the agents is that the SSS officials are expected to be part of general examination of containers conducted by the customs, instead of insisting that importers have to get a separate clearance before taking their cargo.

He was of the view that the SSS should join other agencies in general examination of cotnainers, adding that by insisting that importers should get clearance from them, the agency was making goods delivery at the ports cumbersome.

But the SSS is not alone, since according to the ANLCA chief, officers of the Plant Quarantine told Customs not to allow release of containers of milk except the importers or their agents clear from them.

It was gathered that the Apapa Customs Command has expressed concern over this development since there are other agencies like Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) which responsibility is to certify the clearance of such goods.

The Command was said to have disregarded the request of the Plant Quarantine.

It was alleged that the Agency collects N3000 and N6000 on 20ft and 40 ft container respectively before allowing the release of such containers.

The amount is also not receipted Azeez said.

The Immigration Service officials are being accused of interfering with clearance of cargo at the ports.

The agency was alleged to have written to all shipping companies not to release imported vehicles to importers except they come for clearance.

It was alleged that the officials collect N1000 and N3000 for small vehicles and trucks respectively.

Azeez said that members of his Association were bitter over the ugly experience, particularly as most of the moneys are usually not receipted.

The ANLCA Vice President also disclosed that the various units banned from the ports by the Comptroller-General of the Customs, Mr. Jacob Buba have refused to obey the order.

He identified the units as Valuation, Anti-Corruption, Monitoring, Tallying and Task Force.

He equally accused the Police of interfering with the jobs of the Customs, adding that there were about six check-points inside the port.

Azeez said that the Association has resolved that except the security operatives change from these practices and follow their statutory functions, members will be forced to withdraw services at the ports in protest.

Although, he did not give a definite date when such action will be taken, he said that the Association was determined to check the excesses of the security operatives.