At Easter, ANLCA urges importers, agents against false declaration
By Abimbola Abdulahi
As Christians across the country celebrates Easter, National President, Association Of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Iju Tony Nwabunike, has urged importers and agents to always shun false declaration and pay their taxes either in the form of import duty in following the footsteps of Jesus.
Nwabunike, in his Easter message appealed to all mankind irrespective of religion, race and other differences, to show love and be righteous in their dealings.
He said: “For those of us in the maritime industry, this should be a time to reflect on the very strong virtues Easter celebration come with. Let’s increase the love for ourselves and great country Nigeria
“Forgiveness should be freely extended amongst ourselves without being judgmental. For those of us who observed the forty days fasting that precedes Easter, it’s time to resolve not to go back to anything ungodly.
“Actions that exemplifies compliance to rules like honest declarations, payment of right duty demonstrated by Jesus in tax remittance when he talked about giving to Caeser what belongs to Caeser shouldn’t depart from us.
“I enjoin importers and agents to always pay their taxes either in the form of import duty or otherwise. It is in following in the footsteps of Jesus.
“Sincere declarations and being law abiding will not only give the declarant and agents peace of mind, it is a way of contributing to national economic growth for common good.
“Importers and international traders should avoid bringing things that hurts the health of consumers or inflame society such as hard drugs, arms, ammunition and unwholesome or expired consumables.
“If we are sincere, laudable initiatives like the electronic call up system will be implemented with ease without the observed hiccups in it’s implementation,” he stated.
The ANLCA chief said Nigeria’s Unemployment Rate which increased to 33.3% in last quarter 2020 from 27.1% in second quarter of last year according to National Bureau of Statistics, is not irreversible, therefore more productive employment should be generated under an atmosphere of increased compliance
His worlds: “The number of persons in the economically active or working age population (15 – 64 years of age) during the reference period of Q4, 2020 was 122,049,400 out of an estimated population of over 200 million persons.
“The maritime industry still holds the ace for supporting other economic activities and as participants in this sensitive sector, let us rise to be counted among those who improved our economy in our time
“Many are active but truly not productively engaged due to possible factors like greed causing fewer persons to hold grip on common wealth while active workers are mostly underpaid.
“Like I reiterated in my New Year message, I have forgiven those who hurt me in the course of my being of service to professional colleagues. For me it is the best way to celebrate this season of love, sacrifice and soul searching reflections,” he stated.
