By Joshua Yousouph
The Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN) has charged its members to seek relevance in the Nigerian maritime industry. This is even as it inaugurated a 19-member Trade Facilitation Committee on Tuesday.
Speaking during the inauguration at the association’s secretariat in Lagos, the National President of the association, Alhaji Bala Daura noted that the aim of the committee is to ensure that things are done according to law at the ports and to promote the reputation of AREFFN.
Alhaji Daura explained that, as against the Compliance Teams and Task Force Committees of other sister associations, the Trade Facilitation Committee of AREFFN is to see to the smooth running and facilitation of legitimate business at the ports among its members.
He charged all members of the new committee to be committed to the association and seek relevance by getting jobs to do at the ports. According to him, this will make them knowledgeable and experienced in the field of freight forwarding and in turn earn them reputation and respect amongst other professional colleagues and Customs officers.
Daura also charged the committee to always revert to the association’s national office, whenever they are in doubt or face any challenge or opposition during the course of discharging their mandate.
“In whatever you are doing, as long as it is in line with the law, you are safe. We should all be committed to this association and we pray to hand-over peacefully. We should make sure we do our best to move this association forward. We should ensure we make friends with other stakeholders and get jobs to do in order to be relevant in the industry. Make sure you get jobs so that you can get concessions” Daura noted.
On his part, the National Secretary of the association; Mr Frank Obiekezie noted that the committee is constitutional and has been given a mandate to facilitate legitimate trade among members of the association.
Obiekezie however charged members of the committee to be law-abiding always in order to build a good and long lasting image for the association. He also informed that the appointed chairman of the Committee, Mr Kingsley Maduka and Welfare Director will be members of the National Executive Committee, for full integration.
The members of the Trade Facilitation Committee later took their Oath of Office and Allegiance and were officially inaugurated by the National President.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman; Mr Kingsley Maduka appreciated the association’s leadership for the opportunity to serve, promising that the committee will adequately discharge its duties and strictly abide by the regulations of the association.
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