By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
Truck owners in the maritime sector, under the aegis of Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) have lamented the seizure of some of their trucks totalling 100 by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The National President of the Association, Chief Remi Ogungbemi gave hint of the impoundment during a remark at the just concluded second edition of the Port Industry Town Hall Meeting organized by the Journal NG in Lagos.
In a chat with our correspondent on the sideline, Ogungbemi who said the trucks are being held in the custody of the agency at the Lagos and Eastern Ports, said that appeals to the concerned authority for the release of the containerised trucks have not been fruitful.
” Over 100 of our trucks are in the custody of the Customs. Our members are suffering for the ignoble and unpatriotic activity of some importers and their cohorts in the maritime industry who failed to honestly declare the content of the containers to the Customs, which is the reason for the arrest and impoundment of the containers with our trucks.
” We have written to the Comptroller General for the revalidation of the circular sent to us on the subject matter, but no favorable response”, the AMATO President said.
In an appeal letter addressed to the Comptroller of Customs, stated January 24, 2022, sighted by our correspondent, the group urged the CG to revalidate the Format approved in 2017 to enable it members to remove all their trucks under Customs detention so that they can start 9n a clean slate with the usage of the Format.
Titled” Passionate Appeal For Revalidation Of Circular No.001/2010 Titled Directive On The Reprieve For Trucks Used As Means Of Carriage Offending Containerized Cargo” reads in part, “: We humbly and passionately plead that you kindly Revalidate the Circular to enable us remove all our trucks under Customs detention so that we can start on a clean slate with the usage of the Format that you have graciously approved for usage of which thereafter if anyone among we Truckers or Agents fails to comply, then it can be considered to have criminal intention”.
The Comptroller General in a reply signed on his behalf by one of his deputies, however turned down the appeal.
” I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 24January 2022 on the above subject matter.
Sequel to your request, IAM further directed to inform you that Circular No.001/2010 can not be revalidated because it was inconsistent with the provisions of section 169 of Customs & Excuse Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45 LFN 2004 as amended”, the letter signed by E. L. Edorhe, Deputy Comptroller General, (E, I&I) reads.
Ogungbemi, who also spoke on tales of accidents involving containerised and palletized trucks on highways, said members of the association have embarked on self examination exercise to ensure all the trucks are road worthy.
