In an effort to bolster its operations, the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has initiated a reorganization of its Tincan Island Port chapter leadership.
The reshuffle that took place at a press briefing that took place at the APFFLON national secretariat in Lagos on Thursday, saw Mr. Emeka Godfrey Nwosu, Chairman of the chapter, being redeployed to the National Headquarters of the association as the new Business and Commerce Development Officer.
Assuming the role of the new Chairman of the Tincan Island Port chapter is Alhaji Akeem Ayobiojo, who brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise in the freight forwarding and logistics industry.
The reorganization also includes other key executive appointments, with Mr. Jubril Usman being named the Vice Chairman for Tincan, Fwdr. Rasheed Tijani as the chapter’s Secretary, and Mrs. Busayo Okpara as the Welfare Officer for the national secretariat.
Speaking on the sideline of the reorganization, APFFLON’s President, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, raised concerns over the substantial loses incurred by both freight forwarders and importers due to demurrage and storage charges during recent industrial actions by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Ogunojemite emphasized that the strike actions have severely impacted activities at seaports, airports, and land border stations, burdening freight forwarders and importers with additional costs. He urged the labor unions to reconsider their stance, as the prolonged strikes exacerbate the nation’s economic challenges and adversely affect individual businesses.
Speaking on the matter of fuel subsidy removal, which has caused hardships across Nigeria, Ogunojemite acknowledged the need to address the current economic situation. He appealed to the labor unions to give the administration led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu the opportunity to implement measures to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians. He stressed the importance of actions aligning with words, as the lack of sincerity, greed, and lack of willpower among leaders have eroded public confidence.
The President further highlighted the unique challenges faced by freight forwarders in the maritime and aviation sectors, where delays in cargo clearance attract penalties in the form of demurrage. He expressed disappointment that the NLC had not engaged freight forwarders to understand their daily challenges at the ports, leading to decisions that impact multiple sectors of the economy.
Commending the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) for adopting a different approach during the protest, Ogunojemite encouraged more dialogue and engagement among all stakeholders to find sustainable solutions to the country’s economic challenges.
