Harboursandport: Lagos - National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF has charged President Mohammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in the maritime industry as there is total system collapse presently.
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| Founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam |
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| Lagos State NUJ Chairman, Mr. Adeleye Ajayi |
Founder
of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam who made the call when the Executive Members
of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council led by the
Chairman, Mr. Adeleye Ajayi visited NAGAFF on Tuesday.
Aniebonam
said that corruption in the industry has taken a dangerous dimension.
According
to him, ``The systems have collapsed and it requires presidential intervention,
and a state of emergency should be declared in the maritime sector.
``In
terms of corruption at the ports, is like to your tents O Israel. How do you
explain a situation when a consignment released from the port is being stopped
outside the port by another Customs officer?
"Can
we really say that the owner of that consignment has falsely declared the
consignment,’’ Aniebonam asked?
According
to him, there are too many issues around the ports.
"Nigerian
ports have become non-competitive and outrageous,’’ he said.
The
maritime expert noted that government agencies were not doing justice to the
nation’s economy by seizing goods.
Aniebonam
explained that a consignment with minor infraction if seized, the owner could
be called upon to pay some money.
According
to him, all the seizures should stop because the economy is dying.
"Government
should be careful in making seizures,’’ he said.
The
NAGAFF founder said that the most important thing is enlightenment and
education of the public by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Standards
Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and National Food, Drug Administration and
Control (NAFDAC).
He
said that this would enable the public to become acquainted with government
demands and specifications in the industry.
"There
should be 'buy-back’ for trade goods over minor infractions as trade matters
must not be handled injuriously because there is need to encourage trade,’’ he
said.
He
also charged freight forwarders and their principals to be more patriotic and
make patriotism their watchword.
"The
import and export guidelines are clearly stated and I do not understand why
people flout the laws".
"We
have to obey the laws of our land and follow the regulations so that we can
have a good society,’’ Aniebonam said.
He
referred to the e-call up system and truck terminal, an idea which he said
NAGAFF suggested many years ago in a position paper and now being implemented.
Aniebonam expressed high level of confidence in the leadership of
Ajayi as Lagos Council Chairman, saying that he had known him for a very long
time.
"You
must excel and make positive changes among your members," he advised.
He
also assured Lagos NUJ of the support of NAGAFF and also tasked Lagos Council
on the need to be financially independent so that the executive members could
discharge their duties professionally.
Reacting
to the call, Ajayi described the visit as a `home coming’.
He
lauded the NAGAFF founder for hosting the executive members of the union.
Ajayi
equally reeled out his manifesto before the NAGAFF Board of Trustees and its
Executive members.
Chairman
of Lagos Council, Mr. Adeleye Ajayi solicited the support of NAGAFF for
training of journalists and the completion of the Council’s Secretariat located
in Ikeja.
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