Former President of the Association of the Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Prince Olayiwola Shittu (JP) has slammed the federal government for the failure of implementation of the 48 –Hours cargo Clearance in the ports, even as he lamented about failure of the previous government to implement a report a committee he served in submitted earlier to take care of the present needs of the present committee for Single Window. In this incisive chat with our Editor-In-Chief: MR. GODWIN OBI, Prince Shittu proffers panaceas to a number of issues hindering international trade in Nigeria including the declining value of the Naira. Please, read on:-

We have had time of huge complaints about inefficiency in the ports that resulted into concessioning of the ports. Delay in cargo clearance, container poaching and vandalization of imported vehicles by the so called wharf rats were at a time the defining moments: Can you comfortably say these inadequacies were completely in the past?

I know where you are going, let’s not go that way. I will give you what the reflection is now. You know the president of the federal republic of Nigeria just announced the formation of the committee for single window and you recollect that all of you, that is, the Maritime media have been clamouring on our behalf for this single window. Some of us have travelled to different countries where these things are being used and the impact in realizing that objective of ease of doing business, fast clearance of cargo, reduction in face to face operations, IT usage in clearing. Yes, we all did that.

Prince Olayiwola Shittu (JP)

If you remember, it culminated into the setting up of the committee by President Jonathan headed by Prof Monye, a special adviser on how operations can be eased in the port, where those things you’ve mentioned now would have been tackled. Incidentally within that committee, were sub committees, I headed the technical committee that was 48 hours cargo clearance, that’s what it was. And then we came out with a report called – 8 Smart Steps for cargo clearance. In any way we submitted the report and the report was adopted at the villa, we were all there and then there was supposed to be an adoption for govt to implement so we can have 48hrs cargo clearance but then that’s where it ended. Was it supposed to end there? It is not for the purpose of not trying. When the civil servants sit down they do what they like and expect result. If you are doing the something the same way, every day you can’t expect a change. Now the President has set up a committee, can you imagine a committee that has to do with cargo clearance, no freight forwarder of note, nobody is represented. What are we talking about? How can there be result. It is a repetition but meanwhile, the report we submitted there is hanging somewhere. So how can there be a result but rather a repetition of what is there already. In a nutshell, govt is not helping at all, they’re the cause of all the inadequacies in the ports. So the inefficiency rocking the port business in the past from delay in cargo clearance, activities of wharf rats to prevalence of human contacts; they are all there now. The only thing that has gone is the road that they have improved on it. Nobody knows what it is going to come back to, because the people that are making use of it are making money out of it and they will be thinking now what other things they will constitute in order to make more money.

So all the inadequacies are still there in the ports. It could be minor because the terminal operators may want to save their name or may have put some internal security but you don’t know what is going on in other terminals or whose stories you don’t hear.

Prince Olayiwola Shittu (JP)

Now we are in a new era, if you are in the position, where and where will you like to make changes?

If you want solution to issues, you have to find out first what are the issues. Government is not helping us because there are things we cannot do by ourselves. I have accused government many times that they are the ones encouraging the irregularities going on in the ports, for example government agencies today are more interested in revenue generation because their supervising ministries prefer them to go and get what we call IGR( Internally Generated Revenue). Budgeted funds are no longer enough. And as long as they put revenue before efficiency and satisfaction, nothing can change. If you want to know how a motor park should be organized, talk to the Agberos, don’t talk to the drivers. Governments are busy talking to Government agencies instead of talking to us who are the implementers. As long as you continue to depend on the reports of those agencies who are only after generating revenues, you are also promoting irregularities in the port.

So if I am in a position to cause changes and get results, I will advise the government to work with stakeholders, the implementers, those who interface on a daily basis. We don’t need those big big men, the Alhajis, Chiefs, all those fanciful politicians, no, those are not the people we need. We need members of the Maritime workers, we need NAGAFF members, ANLCA members etc, to tell us how to solve what has gone wrong, the matter is straight forward..

Many beneficiaries of the recent Customs vehicle auction who had to clear their overtime cargo from the Five Star Logistics Terminal shared very sad experiences, which included pilfering of important vehicle parts, damning cases of bribery and delay in clearing process, that makes one question the reality of the much talked about 48hrs cargo clearance.

It doesn’t work. But it works elsewhere. When I was the President of ANLCA we were sponsoring people to go to different countries to see how it works there and come and introduce here. We went to South korea, we went to South Africa, Ghana, Ivory coast, America and India. We even did a pro bono committee job for the Nigerian Shippers’ Council without any allowance or salary just out of the interest for this job- to explore how it is happening elsewhere

If I am in any position to advise government on port efficiency, we don’t need any high level type of committee, not even a committee in which the CG of customs is a member. No, we look for the lower cadre and tell ourselves the home-truth and you see the result because those of us from the ground floor will make sure that nobody deviates away from this, we raise a task-force from within. By the time you expose 1,2,3,4 incidences and then Government say we will take action- that will take you to the roots.

On declining value of the Naira

Recall that this year alone, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have increased the naira/dollar exchange rate used to benchmark import duty many times. The present exchange rate for computing import duties, as indicated on the customs portal is N1,444.56 to the dollar. It was N422.30/$ when the Tinubu administration was inaugurated in May last year. This implies that import duty has been increased by 342% in seven months of the Tinubu government.

Our need to impress others and wear Italian jeans or Netherlands clothing is the reason why a lot of unneeded items are imported but between you and me, you discover that shoes made in Abba can still last as the ones from Italy but because our style is to wear what is trending; that is the problem.

“If the naira today is N1,444.56 to the dollar and less people demand for the dollar, then it means instead of N1,444.56, it can reduce to N1,200 and then N1,000 as the case may be but as long as everyone is hustling to get the dollar because of importation, we will not move forward,” Prince Shittu said.

Prince Olayiwola Shittu (JP) needs little or no introduction in the shipping sub sector.

Shittu who joined the class of septuagenarians in 2023 has eloquently paid his duties in the shipping sub- sector.

Prince Shittu loves people to the extent that hardly will anyone come in contact with him without leaving with a lasting impression of him. This is irrespective of who you are or where you come from.

He is highly detribalized and does not look down on anybody. He likes to put smiles on the face of everyone close to him or comes in contact with him, hence he has touched so many lives in his working years out of the seventy years he has lived on earth.

Shittu’s love for humanity does not know any boundaries. He is always quick to identify with suffering people with remarkable compassion and fellow-feeling, always doing his best to alleviate their plight. He has touched so many lives all over the country, his kindness and generosity transcending ethnic sentiments and boundaries.

Shittu’s wealth of knowledge of the economy, shipping and maritime sector endear both journalists and stakeholders to him for verified information.

In business, Shittu always demonstrates remarkable honesty, diligence and love for the fatherland. Unlike many other customs brokers and freight forwarders who are concerned with amassing wealth, whether by fair or foul means, Shittu stands for integrity and honest transactions; always considering the national economy. You will never get him cutting corners, making wrong declarations or engaging in falsification of documents, which the Nigeria Customs Service normally accuses customs agents and freight forwarders of doing so often. Rather, Shittu believes in honesty transactions and instructs and counsels his workers, fellow agents and association members to do the right thing at all times in order to eliminate fraud in the system and for the good of the economy.

Shittu remains a strong voice against evil in the society, especially corruption and sharp practices in the port sector and the economy in general.

An eloquent and articulate speaker, Shittu’s intellectualism and deep knowledge of the industry and economy is always evident at seminars, workshops or anywhere economic policies and roadmaps are being discussed. His deep knowledge of customs operations, including tariffs and classification never fails to thrill both customs officers and maritime journalists.

Prince Shittu is a strong critic of those who place ethnicity, sectionalism and parochial interests above the general good. As a detribalized Nigerian, he has his business headquarters in Port Harcourt and always fights for the good of the eastern ports just as he fights for that of the Lagos ports. He abhors political decisions where economic decisions should be taken, and never fails to speak out when wrong things are being done.

His eloquence and strong stance on what is right has earned him the respect of all industry operators and policy makers hence he is always sought after whenever views that matter are needed.

The best of Prince Olayiwola Shittu can be seen in his sterling leadership qualities. He was a remarkable union leader during his stint in the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in the 70’s, and remains the leader the Association of Nigerian Licensed Clearing Agents (ANLCA) will always treasure as its best. After his two-time tenure as the National President of the association, he left a record of achievements that will take a long time to rival. He brought intellectualism, glamour and recognition to the association and left a big shoe that his successors will continue to strive to fit.

His greatest achievement for ANLCA is making the association become a proud owner of a magnificent edifice as permanent operating headquarters. Shittu was elected into the office of the President at a time the association could not pay the rent for their office, and had been thrown out with their property exposed to the elements of weather. Shittu came on board with a promise not only to get the association a functional and befitting office, but also a permanent office where it can no longer be tossed about. He achieved all these, propelled by his courageous, bold and strong fighting spirit coupled with his transparency, selflessness, intelligence and friendly attributes.