Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The 100% Compliance Team of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has issued a stern warning to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Plant Quarantine Service (PQS) over what it describes as rampant theft of items from containers during customs examinations under the guise of sampling.
The team vowed to take action against these practices, which they claim have caused significant financial losses for importers and freight forwarders.
In a formal letter addressed to both organizations, the Coordinator of the Compliance Team, Hon. Dr. Ibrahim Tanko, expressed deep concern over the situation, citing that importers and clearing agents have been losing millions of Naira due to the alleged illegal sampling activities.
He highlighted the growing frustration of NAGAFF members, who have been facing reputational damage as their clients, importers, often accuse them of theft when items go missing from their containers.
In the letter, NAGAFF reiterated that only the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) are legally authorized to collect samples during inspections, and this should be done with proper documentation.
The compliance team warned that they would no longer tolerate illegal sampling by any other agency and would report such incidents to the Port Police.
The text of the letter reads:
“We write to notify you of our resolve to put a stop to the rampant stealing of items from containers during customs examination in the name of SAMPLING.
We note with displeasure the loss of millions Naira following complaints from our members and importers as a result of sampling.
We cannot cope with the disdain with which our clients tar us with the brush of thieves for the missing items in their boxes.
Statutorily, NAFDAC and STANDARD ORGANIZATION OF NIGERIA are allowed to collect samples, and with signed SAMPLING FORMS.
This office will henceforth resist the illegal sampling practices and report the perpetrators to the Port Police,” the letter stated.