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By Ebube Egbufor
The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Onne Seaport chapter, has debunked rumours making the rounds that they have been collecting Practitioner Operating Fees (POF) at the port, stressing that they only collect Association Welfare Dues (AWD) which is in line with the association’s constitution.
ANLCA’s Onne Port chairman, Hon. Mike Ebeatu, in a press statement made available to newsmen said the rumours were triggered by “unfounded reports” allegedly written “with the intent to mislead people,” and advised the public to disregard the reports.
“For the avoidance of doubt and in keeping the record straight in line with the association’s constitution and CRFFN Act, ANLCA Onne Seaport chapter has never, and has no statutory mandate to collect POF.
“The association has been collecting Association Welfare Dues, AWD, which was a unanimous decision reached by all executives and members in line with the constitution of ANLCA”, Ebeatu said.
He pointed out that the report was not only “a misinformation but libelous and a falsity of a serial liar claiming to be a journalist,” and vowed to take the matter to the Nigeria Union of Journalists, noting that the likes of the said reporter “bring disrepute to the noble journalism profession.”
Ebeatu further described the report as “a blackmail, misleading, unfounded and the figment of the imagination of the author” and frowned at the situation “where someone who is not a licensed Customs agent and who is not a member of ANLCA, Onne Seaport chapter could make such a baseless and false statement,” as he called on relevant stakeholders to discountenance the report while promising to serve them better.
“I use this opportunity to call on all licensed Customs agents, operators, stakeholders to disregard the report and be assured that my stewardship will continue to adhere and uphold the rules and regulations governing our profession in line with the Federal Government fiscal policies on imports and exports at the port”, he assured.
