The Managing Director of Sweet Apples limited, Chief Dennis Okwu and Mr. Innocent Ogbuji, Commercial Manager, West Africa Container Terminal Nig. Ltd. WACT, have commended the Nigeria Customs Service on the introduction of E-payment and Single Window system.
The duo made the recommendation in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after receiving their Awards of Excellence in the Maritime Industry, by the publisher of Maritime and Tourism Newspaper, Mr. Cliff Ifi.
Speaking with the Newswriter at the end of the award presentation, Mr. Innocent Ogbuji, Commercial Manager WACT, described their operation as one that offers effective and efficient service delivery to their numerous clienteles. He enumerated the advantages of E-payment as one that will help the Freight Forwarders to raise their invoices, make online payments and save the risk of carrying cash, amongst others.
On their Corporate Social Responsibilities, Ogbuji added that WACT has a good working relationship with their host community; providing scholarships for youths, and provision of potable drinking water, amongst others, for them.
Ogbuji, however commended the management of Maritime and Tourism Newspaper for finding him worthy of their award, pointing out, that the gesture will remain indelible in his heart and promised to continue to improve on those qualities that endeared him the award.
In the same vein, Chief Denis Okwu, the MD/CEO of Destic Industries limited, and the Eastern Zonal Coordinator of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents ANLCA, also used the occasion of his award to disclose that they were adapting to the new system of change in E-payment. He opined that the single window system will help Nigeria Customs Service and even the Freight Forwarders to monitor activities from one point to the other.
Chief Okwu described Bench Mark as an issue of the past; hence it was only applicable to the East. He affirmed the atmosphere in ANLACA under his administration as the Zonal Coordinator East, as unique, having brought all other bodies together, to work in the interest of the zone, unlike before.
He stressed that the opportunity having lectures, seminars and other innovations by the members of ANLCA, have made the association and zone unique. Dennis used the medium to call on Nigerian Shippers’ Council to address the difference in freight charges from Lagos to Port Harcourt Ports, noting that such is never done in United Kingdom (UK) and other parts of the world.
Okwu disclosed that the development was a deliberate act or politics that was designed to favour Lagos Port. He wondered why Area 1 Port, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, which was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth of England, years back, was abandoned in the name of politics, irrespective of its standard.
He said he was optimistic that God will one day send a messiah that will upturn some of the injustices that have been legalized in the country. Okwu, who appreciated his Award of Excellence, said he will continue to do his best in his own way, but never like publicizing it
By Blaise Elumezie
