MAAG CONTROVERSY

Say, he is not competent to speak for the association

About one week after he threatened to puill the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) out of the nascent group; the Maritime Advocacy and Action Group ( MAAG ), Dr Boniface Aniebonam has called under sharp criticisms from leaders of some of the bodies that coalesced to form MAAG.

Say, he is not competent to speak for the association

About one week after he threatened to puill the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) out of the nascent group; the Maritime Advocacy and Action Group ( MAAG ), Dr Boniface Aniebonam has called under sharp criticisms from leaders of some of the bodies that coalesced to form MAAG.

Yesterday, four bodies, namely: Lagos Chamber and Commerce, Industry (LCCI), the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN), Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) and the Save Nigerian Freight Forwarders, Importers, Exporters Coalitions condemned the statement which the founder of NAGAFF made at a press conference in Lagos.

While taking a swipe at NAGAFF and accusing it of lacking coordination, the foursome however passed vote of confidence to MAAG's Coordinator; Alhaji Alhassan Dantata for what they described as the initiative behind the establishment of the body.

The leaders of the four groups also urged the founder of NAGAFF; Dr. Boniface Aniebonam to allow the president of the association; Chief Eugene Nweke to run its affair.

Dr Aniebonam had at the press briefing alleged that MAAG took a position on the controversial new Federal Government policy on automobile, accusing MAAG of not carrying the constituent associations along. He also dissociated NAGAFF from the MAAG’s position paper in which it called for a review of the policy.

But, speaking on the position paper of MAAG to the media yesterday in Lagos, National President of AREFFN; Dr. Frank Ukor debunked claims by Dr Aniebonam that the document had been sent to the National Assembly.

Ukor disclosed that the President of NAGAFF; chief Eugene Nweke is head of the committee in   charge of research for MAAG, especially  on the automobile policy, adding that the document has not gone to the  National Assembly.

He acknowledged  that rivalry among freight forwarding associations led to the crisis that is rocking the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) and that no individual or group should frustrate the establishment of MAAG.  

He also alleged that Dr. Boniface Aniebonam was bitter because he was not engaged as a consultant to the group.

The AREFFN boss noted that MAAG is the best institution that has evolved in the maritime industry and that no individual or group can thwart the efforts of the body which according to him, comprised of 12 twelve bodies in the maritime industry.

"We held a MAAG meeting to decide what should be done and we told Eugene Nweke's committee to draft a letter on MAAG’s position on the automotive policy of government, which was a decision taken at the meeting by everyone of us", he stressed.

"And maybe Dr. Aniebonam felt bitter about the fact he is expecting to be a consultant or adviser to MAAG and he was not appointed, that made him to say what he is saying now", he alleged.

Speaking further he added that" at every meeting of MAAG, I go back to my members and address them on the outcome of the meeting and it is binding among us, so I expect every other association to do same".

“We are supposed to hear from the president of NAGAFF not the founder", Ukor added.

Also reacting, President Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO); Chief Remi Ogungbemi said that MAAG has come to solve the various problems affecting the maritime sector and no individual or group can down play its existence.

Ogungbemi added that members of his associations are in support of the existence of MAAG, which is to address issues bothering the sector.

On his part, the National Coordinator, Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders Importers Exporters Coalition, stressed the need for the associations to support the vision and mission of MAAG and stated that the withdrawal of NAGAFF will not affect the aims and objectives of the group.

Osita said Chief Eugene Nweke is the president of NAGAFF and he is the only person that is competent to represent the association, adding that  Dr Aniebonam isonly struggling to seek relevance in the maritime industry.

Speaking in the same vein, Mrs. Juliana Ogboru Chairman, freight forwarding trade group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) affirmed that the president of  NAGAFF; Chief Eugene Nweke is the only person MAAG recognises.

"If they have their policy in NAGAFF, Eugene should carry the message to them and if they are not comfortable with it, fine for them"

"If anybody is not happy about MAAG existence then it is left for such a person, we don't need an expert in this regard, because everyone of us is an expert individually, I don't see anything wrong coming together to form a body for the benefit of the country", she added.