The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has reignited its collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at Lagos airport in a bid to enhance Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in airfreight transactions.
NAGAFF President, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi achieved this when he led the association’s national executives and the newly elected Airport Chapter leaders on a familiarization visit to Customs and Police commands at the Lagos airport, yesterday.
Speaking during the engagements, the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, CP Salem Vincent Amachree described the association as a strategic partner in trade facilitation and also in ensuring safe operations at the airports.
CP Amachree equally noted that NAGAFF and the Police have enjoyed a strong partnership over the years and assured that the synergy is something that his administration would not only maintain, but strive to build upon.
His words: “I have noted your request to deal with the established executives at the Airport Chapter and I would grant this request. I’m someone who always favours a united house and I’m excited that NAGAFF has been able to grow in unity despite the diversity and varying backgrounds of the members.”
“I’m also happy that we are having this opportunity to meet physically because it avails me the privilege of connecting the voices of some eminent NAGAFF leaders that I have only had conversations with via the phone. During electioneering, I know that people could say things to score points and the group could be heated with different parties having their supporters, but it is expected that after the elections everyone comes together as one family and the loser accepts defeat as a good sportsman. This way, the association continues to grow in strength and unity of purpose.”
Noting that the Police has the responsibility to ensure safety for air-travel business and other airport activities, CP Amachree stressed that the Force sees NAGAFF as a strategic partner in achieving its mandate, adding his doors are always open to NAGAFF leaders and he is only a phone call away if there are any issues.
Earlier, NAGAFF President, Chief Ezisi posited that the visit was primarily to introduce the new Airport Chapter executives of NAGAFF and to further deepen the relationship between the association and the Airport Command of Nigeria Police.
“I asked the Airport Chapter Chairman, Mr. Udo Bernard Onyeka if the chapter or freight agents in general have any issue with the Police that he would like us to discuss here, but he said that there have been no problems. This goes to show the quality of your leadership. I commend you for this, even as I beckon on you to support and collaborate with the new NAGAFF executives at the Airport Chapter.”
“Sometime ago, the present Inspector General of Police visited the NAGAFF headquarters in Lagos and we had a robust engagement. We also prayed for him to the reach the zenith and today he is the Police IG. We also pray that you would record similar fate in the Police Force,” the NAGAFF President said.
The Murtala Mohammed International Airport Cargo Command of Customs also welcomed the NAGAFF delegation and the Area Controller, Comptroller Sambo Dangaladima assured that Customs will continue to partner with NAGAFF at the airport.
“I know NAGAFF to be a transparent body and the good thing is that we work as a family by solving issues within instead of escalating them. Customs and freight agents are like brothers and sisters. I’m also glad with the way NAGAFF Executives conduct their affairs at the airport. They carry out their businesses in a professional manner. They help us solve problems and proffer advice on several issues,” Comptroller Dangaladima said.