WALVIS BAY: Clearing agents were left disappointed here on Friday when they failed to have their concerns addressed in a gathering with officials from the Ministry of Finance’s customs and excise department.

The gathering was called after clearing agents expressed their unhappiness with a ban which prohibits them from using third party guarantees and bonds as security when moving goods, which came into force on 24 July this year.

The Deputy Director of Customs and Excise in Walvis Bay, Yoolokeni Haihambo, shattered the expectations of the more than 70 anxious clearing agents when she indicated that the gathering here on Friday was not called to provide answers on the questions posted by the clearing agents, but would only serve to discuss and clarify the issue on the misuse of guarantees and bonds.

The Commissioner of Customs and Excise in the Ministry of Finance, Bevan Simataa was not present as he was in South Africa at the time, and Deputy Director of Trade Facilitation, Hans Garoeb was therefore directed to note their concerns.

The decision, which affected the movement of transit goods from the Namibia Port Authority (Namport) by the agents, came into effect on 24 July this year.