The Executive Chairman, Apapa Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Chief Emeka Chukwumalu, has firmly denied claims that he endorsed a proposed hike in licensing fees for customs agents during a private meeting with Hon. Leke Abejide, Chairman of the House Committee on Customs and Excise.
In a strongly worded rebuttal, Chukwumalu described the lawmaker’s statement as “erroneous,” clarifying that the meeting in question was convened to address operational challenges—particularly the technical downtime of the B’Odogwu platform, which had severely impacted Customs processing at Apapa Port.
“Apapa, being the premier port, bore the brunt of the downtime more than any other port in the federation,” Chukwumalu stated. “Our engagement with Hon. Abejide was purely to seek intervention on these issues—not to negotiate any fee hike.”
He further explained that the meeting was held at the invitation of Hon. Abejide, who had learned of the association’s concerns and sought to mediate with the Nigeria Customs Service. The outcome, according to Chukwumalu, was a technical resolution that restored the platform and led to a noticeable uplift in duty collections at both Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.
The Apapa Chapter Chairman praised the efforts of ANLCA’s national leadership, calling the resolution “a big plus” for the association and a “relief to all members.” He urged stakeholders not to misrepresent the purpose of the meeting or attribute false agreements to the association.
This rebuttal echoes earlier clarifications from Prince Olawale Cole, Chairman of the Tin Can Chapter, who also dismissed any suggestion of consensus on fee increases.
As the debate over licensing fees continues, ANLCA leadership remains united in its stance against any hike that could burden customs agents and destabilize port operations.