Otunba Mike Adekoya is the Chairman of Kirikiri Lighter Terminal,(KLT) chapter of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF). In this chat with Shipping Position Daily, he talked about challenges faced by operators at KLT. Adekoya also lamented the drop in business activities at the terminals and other sundry maritime related issues. He also told our correspondent ;Roland Ekama that he has no second term ambition.
“It’s over two years since I have been elected into office as chairman and I don't think I have made any impact…”
NAGAFF KLT Chapter appears like the only freight forwarding association with a befitting secretariat, what is so unique about this chapter?
Before now, we have nine terminals that are functional at Kirikiri Lighter Terminal and that was what gave us the peculiarity where we find ourselves, and as a result of that, we cease the opportunity to acquire a benefiting secretariat for members and you will agree with me that things have changed because for few years now, I can tell you that nothing is happening at KLT in terms of business activities. We find it difficult to pay the rent and as the chairman of this chapter, I call my members and we task ourselves to pay the rent because we must survive and we must maintain our secretariat. Change is the only constant thing in life, therefore we must remain in business despite the recession and we are hopeful that things will change for good.
Apart from low imports, due to recession and unfavourable government policies, how then do you cope; considering the fact that before the current recession, KLT has already been abandoned in the area of stemming of containers?
When you talk about phase 4 for example, you find out that it has been sold out to Dicon Salt Limited. That place used to be where we clear containers before now. When you talk about phase 3; I can also tell you that nothing is happening at that place as regards operational activities in the area of clearing of cargoes. When you talk about phase 2 ; I can tell you categorically that nothing is happening as well and even the popular SKOA people which we thought was the heartbeat of KLT has been given out to Tin Can Island port again. Before now we used to handle RoRo services right in front of us, but that same operation has been diverted to either Okota or Alakija. Clarion bonded terminal is one of the facilities I am talking about here. We are closer to the seaports than those places mentioned, why is it that such a service will be diverted to those far distances? That RoRo services can even come through the waterways down to these facilities instead of transfer via the road to those facilities which I think is risky when compared to KLT which is closer to Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, respectively. The fact is that our government is not serious. The minister of transportation is supposed to explore these avenues in ensuring that the Nigerian Ports Authority sit up and look at grey areas that can be explored for revenue to be generated into the coffers of the federal government of the country. The minister who supervises the NPA is supposed to look at such issues that surround operational activities of the NPA, but he is missing in action. If care is not taken I can tell you that KLT might go into extinction because this is not the KLT we used to know. I don't know what the government should do about this. For nine months now no single container has been examined in phase 1 and 2, these are the things we are facing here. If they want to merge KLT Phase 1 and 2 with Tin Can Island, they should do that so that this time wastage will not come up anymore.
What is your assessment of the Transport Minister; Rotimi Amaechi since his appointment in 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari?
I don't think he has done anything meaningful in the industry because so many things are going wrong since his appointment. NPA is not properly monitored by its supervising minister, there is no job to do in off-dock terminals and we want him to come over to where the business is suffering. We are no longer enjoying the business as it was in time past, therefore we want the minister to go round other facilities aside the seaports. The Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amaechi needs to know the situation of the terminals outside the seaports at the moment. We will want him to do something fast to know what is happening. Beside I don't think he has performed since appointed. We agents are not satisfied with his performance since his appointment.
Despite the hurdles that you have mentioned, the KLT customs command still collects huge revenue for government, how is that possible?
The revenue collected by KLT command of customs has dropped. Instead of the usual revenue profile of billions of Naira collected by the command, they now collect millions. People that used to bring 10 to 20 containers before, now import three or two containers; and there is nothing we can do about it. What we do now is to advise our importers to embrace transire because of the shipping agent. This is our division and due to the recession in the country, we do tell our importers that taking delivery through transire is better. It is through that process that containers are stemmed to this place to boost the customs command revenue profile.
The national president of NAGAFF has been away from a while due to illness, how has the association fared during his absence?
There is nothing we can do, but to assist and wish him quick recovery. We will continue to pray for him and since he is not around the association is still intact, considering the fact that we are still progressing; although it has not been easy because the authority has been away, there is a great difference between when the president is not around and when he is around. We wish him well and we know he will be back soon. It’s a challenge to us because he is the president and his contribution is key to progress.
What is the relationship with the customs and other freight forwarding groups at KLT?
When you talk about other sister associations here, I will say there is no problem, customs relations with agents I will say – no cause for alarm, we are working together for the government to generate revenue and you know revenue is important, the customs doesn’t want anything that will put them into problem, and they are being meticulous with their job. There is no problem between the agents and customs. The customs are doing very fine at this command because they are doing what is right.
How can you react to the recent dismissal of some Customs officers by CGC of customs over alleged corrupt practices?
Customs remains an agency of the federal government and I want to tell you that if any officer commits an offence in the eyes of the law, I don't think anybody can do anything about it. If the customs finds an officer or officers guilty, then there is need for punishment. There is no way anybody can go to court and defend them. Remember that change is the only thing that is constant.
You have been elected into officer for about two years as chairman of NAGAFF KLT chapter; I will like to know what has been your major achievement?
Its over two years since I have been elected into office as chairman and I don't think I have made any impact the way I want to; even to my followers here in KLT because all the promises made for them by me have not been fulfilled. Honestly, I don't expect what we are facing because my dream initially was to build capacity for my members. Apart from that, there is no job at KLT and there is no way I can make money to run an association; talk-less of building capacity for members. It has been difficult for me to run the affair of the association at the moment and I can not lie at this point, I have not been able to record any meaningful achievement.
How about second term ambition as chairman of this chapter?
I don't have any intention to run for a second term in office. This office is not an easy task. Even in my own private office, I find it difficult to run the office and actually I don't really need the second term in office. It’s a big challenge running the affairs at this end. There is a lot of expectation from followers and if you cannot fulfil such promises why go for a second term. Right now I am not even thinking of a second term and if I can finish the first term successful with my aims and agenda, then I will appreciate God. I don't really have the ambition for that.
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