The Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers and Exporters Coalition (SNFFIEC) through it's National President, Chief sir Osita Chukwu has condemned the recent petition to the National Security Adviser by the National Co-ordinator of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwoarders' (NAGAFF) 100% Compliance Team, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko labeling such petition as misleading and baseless.
Chief Chukwu, in an interview emphasized that Alhaji Tanki who is a customs agent and freight forwarder, failed to understand the established protocols in place for managing government affairs, especially in the maritime sector. He accused Tanko of breaching protocol and undermining the efforts of the Nigerian maritime sector’s leadership.
In his words, “This petition to the National Security Adviser is not just a breach of protocol; it’s an abuse and neglect of the systems we have put in place; It gives a false impression to the world that there are problems in our port corridor, which is simply not true".
Chief Chukwu further accused Tanko and his 100% Compliance team of attempting to discredit the outstanding performance of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi mfr, his management team, the various Customs Area Controllers, and other senior Officers in the western zone.
He urged the NSA to disregard Tanko’s petition, labeling it as diversionary and harmful to the progress made so far in repositioning the maritime sector.
He stated that this is not the first time Tanko has made such baseless claims. Saying, "he has a history of doing this, and we have warned him multiple times,
“If someone seeks equity, they must come with clean hands. Tanko’s actions are far from that".
Chief Chukwu also questioned the legitimacy of the 100% Compliance Team, stating that such a team cannot exist outside the framework of an officially recognized association or government directive.
“100% compliance can only work within NAGAFF, not in the broader maritime corridor. Who set up this team, and under what authority?” Chief Chukwu questioned. “This so-called compliance team is illegal and appears to be a tool for exploitation rather than genuine oversight".
He concluded by urging stakeholders to focus on collaborative efforts to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of Nigerian ports in the West African sub-region, rather than being distracted by unfounded allegations.
“The goal should be to build our ports to be friendly, effective, and competitive, not to destroy the efforts of those working hard to achieve this,” Chief Chukwu said.
The maritime community and the general public are encouraged to disregard the claims made by Tanko’s 100% Compliance Team and continue supporting the legitimate efforts being made to enhance the Nigeria maritime sector.
The 100% Compliance team of NAGAFF headed by Alhaji Tanko had recently petitioned the National Security Adviser NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu over the activities of the operators of scanning machines located within the western seaports.
In a letter addressed to the Office of the National Security Adviser, signed by its National Coordinator, accused the operators of deliberately subverting the original plan and purpose of introducing scanning machines in cargo clearing processes, especially, in the nation’s western seaports, thereby perpetuating the option of physical examination.
The Compliance Team in the letter also lamented what it described as high level sabotage in Nigeria’s seaports, saying that the efforts of the Federal Government to secure the nation are grossly undermined by some agencies, concessionaires and public officers in positions of authority.
Comments
Post a Comment