In a bid to attain seamless and optimal operations this year, the 100% Compliance Team of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has been reconstituted with a new Head of Operations appointed and other proactive steps taken to enable the group realise its mandate.
To this effect, the National Chairman of the Compliance Team, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko has appointed the former Vice Chairman, Tin Can Island Chapter of NAGAFF, Fwdr. Stanley Ejiogu as the Head of Operations of the Team.
Alhaji Tanko who announced this during the inaugural meeting of the newly reconstituted Team at its secretariat in Apapa, Lagos said the appointment became necessary in order to commence execution of some planned actions, even as he added that more appointments would be made soon.
He assured that members of the Compliance Team have resolved to work harder while he solicited for the cooperation of chapter chairmen of NAGAFF in the discharge of their duties in the interest of the freight forwarders, NAGAFF and other stakeholders in the industry, stating that, “we are not here to witch-hunt anybody. Let them not see us as enemies. We are partners in progress and from one big family, NAGAFF.”
Tanko also warned it will not be business as usual again at the ports as his team would rapport with security agencies in the industry such as the Nigeria Police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), among others, to ensure total compliance to trade rules.
He equally assured that undue delay of cargoes at the ports, demurrage, multiple alerts, over charges would be a thing of the past as the group will be able to address these challenges.
His words, “We are ready to work now and anybody who thinks he is a god, we are going to tell him, he is not a god. For some time, we went for a break, but I decided to cool down and be a little calm. Friends and loved ones talked to me, I had to keep quiet but I noticed that keeping quiet is not going to solve any problem.”
“A lot of things are going wrong. Everybody doing what they like. Talk of Customs, talk of Shipping Companies, Terminal Operators, Bonded Terminals, even Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NCS) is even the worst. People that suppose to help us are not helping us. I think there is a need for me to come back to let people know that everybody must do his duty. For example, if the President assigns responsibility to a Minister, directors and others, then you expect those appointed to come down and do the work. If they fail, you should blame them and not the President.”
Noting that the Minister of Transportation, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Shippers’ Council, Customs are representing the Presidency in various capacities, he argued that the port industry should lay its complaints to them.
“We need to ask them questions to know what they are doing. Look at the Bonded Terminals that have increased their transfer charges without consulting anybody. Shippers’ Council management is there watching them without saying a word. So, there are really lots of issues,” he said.
The 100% Compliance Team Boss, however, urged his team members to be be committed to duty and ensure honesty and transparency in carrying out their tasks in order to fulfill their mandate.
He also remarked that the group still retains its former name, 100% Compliance Team as against 100% Compliance Task Team as seen in some online media.
Speaking also, the Chairman of Compliance Team, Western Avenue, Dr. Fred Ajuzie emphasised the need for seriousness, commitment and dedication by the members to the actualisation of their set targets.
Dr Ajuzie urged them to emulate the exemplary footsteps of the National Coordinator of the team, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko by going extra miles in their assignments to achieve results.
In his acceptance speech, the newly appointed Head of Operations of 100% Compliance Team, Fwdr. Stanley Ejiogu described his new position as a herculean task but pledged to live up to expectation.
