Johnny Ubaka, ACFFT Coordinator.
Angered by persistent Customs server failures, the Association of Concerned Freight Forwarders and Transporters -ACFFT has written to the Customs Area Controller,Apapa requesting waivers on Terminal Charges for those affected.
In the letter which was signed by the Association’s National Coordinator, Sir Johnny Ubaka and made available to the greatalternativenetwork.com Online, the group regrettes what it describes as a very unfortunate situation, and the attendant financial burden on freight forwarders and their importers.
Part of the letter reads, “Since Friday, April 26th 2024, we have been unable to access and take delivery of our consignments from the port due to Customs Server down time. As at today, May 2ND, the system has remained non-operational. This unfortunate situation is causing significant financial distress to our members, with losses amounting to over 2.5 billion Naira daily. The continuous delay is not only emasculating business operations but also threatening our sustainability in the industry.”
” In this painful and highly regrettable circumstances, we respectfully appeal to your esteemed office for a complete waiver of terminal charges for the affected days. Such gesture will mitigate the financial burden and help us to continue with our business activities without recourse to the Nigeria Customs against the huge sense of unwarranted loss.”
” We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter and look forward to a favourable response”, the statement read.
Recall that Customs has been battling with server issues for years now as freight forwarders have on many occasions called on the Federal Government via the office of the Hon. Minister of Finance to revoke its contractual agreement with Webb Fontaine, the official service provider of the Nigeria Customs.
Just recently, Freight Forwarders called on the Federal Government to demand compensation from the Customs IT service provider over poor services leading to continuous loss of revenue for importers, freight Forwarders and the Federal Government.
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