The newly appointed leadership of the Shippers Association of Lagos State (SALS), headed by Princess Fehintola Mulikat, has committed to forming strategic partnerships with key stakeholders in Nigeria's maritime sector to address the persistent challenges faced by shippers. Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos on Monday, Mulikat expressed her determination to resolve the issues exacerbated by the association's recent leadership crisis.
"We have faced many problems, and some agencies are exploiting shippers," Mulikat stated. "It is high time to begin collaborations to address these shipping issues. How do we create the employment expected in the Marine and Blue Economy in an environment that doesn’t support shipping?"
Mulikat outlined plans to work closely with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), terminal operators, and professional groups like the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIOTA) Nigeria. "As a former President of CIOTA Nigeria, I have been privileged to have access to vital information about core areas of seaport and transportation. There is a need for training for various stakeholders to be on the same page for national interest and the growth of shipping," she added.
In a press statement, SALS clarified that its recent leadership change had no connection to the Board of Trustees (BOT) of SALS, the Cargo Defence Fund, or the Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC), countering media speculation. "There is no crisis in SALS as the reconciliation team has completed their job and handed over to the 2022 Executive team to direct the affairs of SALS as agreed in the AGM of 07/12/23," the statement read.
The statement also addressed claims by Evangelist Leo Ogamba, who alleged his impeachment was due to signing an out-of-court settlement document as President. "The claim by Evangelist Leo Ogamba that he was impeached because he signed an out-of-court settlement document on behalf of SALS as a sitting President is baseless because signing the out-of-court settlement agreement does not confer any special right on him as an individual to appropriate any money to himself."
The group emphasized that Ogamba's impeachment was the result of a unanimous vote of no confidence during a general meeting of SALS, which was communicated on the association’s WhatsApp platform, where Ogamba is an active participant.
"The Nigeria Shippers Council has no right to interfere in the internal affairs of SALS as a registered association," stated Mr. Ike Nwagbo, Public Relations Officer of SALS. "Therefore, the statement by Evangelist Ogamba that SALS should have waited for the intervention of NSC holds no water."
The group further accused Ogamba of failing to provide necessary shipping documents when he had the opportunity to contest for the position of Secretary General of the National Shippers Association of Nigeria (NASAN). "He thereafter came back to contest for the office of President of SALS with only one Bill of Lading carrying one used Toyota Sienna," the statement claimed.
Ogamba has refuted claims of his removal from office, asserting that the purported ouster is unconstitutional. The situation continues to unfold as SALS navigates these internal and external challenges.
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