Dr. Frank Ukor (President, AREFFN)
The constitution of Nigeria assured every citizen of freedom of association, so it would be wrong for Ali to suggest that we go back to the ANLCA; we left many years ago. The CGC should have find out first of all the reasons why we left to form our own associations; he cannot just come in and ask us to go back to ANLCA where people die anytime there is an election, either economically or physically. Elections in ANLCA are a do or die affair and some of us who are decent people cannot continue. Secondly, ANLCA is run like a cult, if you don't belong to any cult group you will not be given a chance. Also, the Federal Government has not made any mistake by enacting Act 16 of 2007 to establish CRFFN. The problem is from customs, they felt that if CRFFN is allowed to survive, it would expose so many of their members who are doing clearing, it is true that about 70percent of clearing licenses belong to customs officers, so they are trying to shield their officers.
Gani Adeola (ANLCA Member at PTML)
The CGC is correct with the statement, but I don't think the associations would want to come back to ANLCA. For example, Mr. Lucky Amiwero was once a strong member of ANLCA, but with all apologies, I think he left because of his selfish ideology. In a body, any executive position is turn by turn, if you lose an election, this does not mean you should leave the association, Amiwero could have been one of the best ANLCA presidents because of his activities, he is core ALUTA, he has not begged customs for anything. I could have joined him years ago, but it is not easy for me to leave ANLCA, if people like him can come back to ANLCA, the association would be stronger. The CGC statement is just an advice to the associations; it's not a force for them to come back. If people like Amiwero and Aniebonam can come back to ANLCA, it is the same constitution that will guide us; it's a matter of adjusting the constitution. I would advise the finding fathers of ANLCA to sit at a round table and bring them back, let them reach out to them.
Emmanuel Onyeme (PRO, Tin Can ANLCA)
I encourage the associations to come back to ANLCA, because we have always been having a divided house in the industry and that is why customs is working against us. If we can come together we would work as a formidable team, but if we continue the way we are right now, we would not have a base. I don't know how it would be possible, but the first thing is for people to forget about their personal interests, they should look at the projection of one family and what this would give us, by doing this, better things will come to us.
Deacon Dike Kalu (Secretary, NAGAFF Tin Can)
The CGC is coming from the 16th century, port users have gone ahead of what he is thinking, he has refused to flow with the trend of things, it is not possible for associations to come together because ANLCA has missed it from the word ‘go’. The coming of NAGAFF and the other associations is as a result of the mismanagement and mind-set of ANLCA registration, so who would be running back to Egypt when we are already liberating ourselves to the promise land? It is only a daft person that would go back to ANLCA, what do they know in ANLCA? We are talking about professionalism through the CRFFN, and this is NAGAFF's idea.
Sir Osita Chukwu Patrick (Coordinator SNFFEIC)
It’s not possible for the CGC to make such suggestion. However, Hameed Ali( rtd) is not experienced enough to make such suggestion because he is not a grass root customs officer, but that aside there is freedom of association and it can't be possible at this stage in time to collapse all sister freight forwarding associations into ANLCA. The best way out for us to speak with the customs is to bring all heads of the associations, then relate with the customs and they go back to their respective associations to pass vital information to their members. But it is impossible for other associations to go back to ANLCA.
Jude Ige (Chairman, AREFFN TCIP Chapter)
It is impossible and it cannot hold waters because ANLCA has shown overtime its inconsistent nature in the sub sector of the maritime industry. It is the selfish interest of ANLCA that prompted other associations to spring up , therefore the industry is too big for just one association. There is need to have more associations in this our industry, because it appears that ANLCA is not protecting the interest of its members the way it ought to, talk less dominating the industry. I believe it is better to have different associations with different views about port operations.
Festus Ukwu (Publicity Secretary NCMDLCA)
We have a constitution that we abide by in Nigeria and you know some of our fundamental rights include freedom to speak and freedom of association, therefore nobody can deceive others to go back to the first freight forwarding association which is ANLCA. The CGC can make a suggestion for the interest of the profession and the sector for grow, but people are entitled to associate and form groups to meet common interest, goals and achievements. It is a welcome suggestion from the CGC hence it’s not compulsory for us all to come together under ANLCA.
Olorogun Agwi (ANLCA PTML Chapter)
I am an advocate of one association in order to speak with one voice, but the point is ANLCA is not living up to expectations, because of its selfish interest. ANLCA in the last six years has not been able to perform its responsibilities. The CGC might mean well for the practitioners, but the association leaders themselves are selfish and self-centred. It is selfish reasons that would not want others to align with the ANLCA to do so. ANLCA has remained a toothless bulldog, because of its compromise with customs.
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