By Godfrey Bivbere
In a bid to improve the cargo clearance time from the nation’s ports, Cotecna Destination Inspection Nigeria Limited Tuesday commenced a two day training programme for clearing agents in the country.

The training programme which took place at the Eyis Resource conference hall, saw over 150 agents taking part. Managing Director of Cotecna, Tayo Rabiu, in is opening remark stressed the need for participants to take the training very seriously because it would help them improve in discharging the ir duties.

Rabiu further pointed out that at the end of the training programme, it is important for them to be truthful in their declaration in the course of processing their clearing documents because with each transaction, the system continues to upgrade information concerning them and their principle (importer).

The Cotecna boss said there a was need for collaboration between clearing agents and Cotecna to ensure smooth and speedy clearance of goods from the ports. He also noted that the training programme provides both parties the opportunity to learn from each other.

Speaking earlier, President of the National Council of Managing Directors of licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Mr. Lucky Amiwero, pointed out that lack of knowledge has deprived clearing agents of the benefits of the profession in the past.

Amiwero noted that agents are the ones who pay the salaries of Customs officers, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and control (NAFDAC) and collects revenue for banks and federal government coffers.

He commended the former Minister of Finance and the management of Cotecna for their contribution in making the training programme for agents a reality.