In preparations to the 2015 Presidential elections, freight forwarders in the maritime sector have endorsed President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as their candidate.
Even though the President is yet to declare his interest in a second term, the freight forwarders expressed their confidence in President Jonathan, attributing it to his recent directive giving the economic regulator status to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
The freight forwarders pledged their support to vote for the President in 2015 in order for him to do more for the industry.
In preparations to the 2015 Presidential elections, freight forwarders in the maritime sector have endorsed President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as their candidate.
Even though the President is yet to declare his interest in a second term, the freight forwarders expressed their confidence in President Jonathan, attributing it to his recent directive giving the economic regulator status to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
The freight forwarders pledged their support to vote for the President in 2015 in order for him to do more for the industry.
In an interview with Shipping Position Daily in Lagos last week, President of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF); Chief Eugene Nweke assured the President of freight forwarders’ support, saying that every agent who commended the government for making Nigeria Shippers’ Council a commercial regulator has automatically endorsed him.
Chief Eugene further expressed confidence that other bodies, including the Maritime Advocacy and Action Group (MAAG) are throwing in their weight behind the President. MAAG as a group comprises of 12 associations in the maritime sector.
The NAGAFF president equally lauded the efforts of the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, for ensuring that the council gets the ‘ombudsman’ role in port operation.
"For 2015, the devil we know is better than the angel we have not seen and if the president can do this ,by making the Nigeria Shippers’ Council the economic regulator, that means by the time we start agitating on issues surrounding the industry, he will listen to us again", the NAGAFF President stated.
"Don't also forget that kudos must be given to the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Maritime Affairs, Leke Oyewole and kudos to the honorable Minister of Transport , Senator Idris Umar because they have done the right thing for the industry".
"Know that MAAG is thanking Mr. President , the president of ANLCA is also commending Mr. President for that singular act”, he said.
Speaking further, Nweke appealed to President Jonathan to further extent the one year period assigned to the Council in order to enable it perform better.
On his part National Coordinator, Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders Importers Exporters Coalition; Sir Patrick Osita Chukwu stated that members of his group are in support of Jonathan's re-election into office by 2015.
He said freight forwarders under his association will support President Jonathan in 2015; even as he lauded government’s policy on automobile.
The Save Nigeria founder added that since 2013, the group has agreed to vote for President Jonathan.
Also speaking to our correspondent, a port activist, Mr Pius David stressed that the president has been able to transform the customs in its revenue collection drive which is a plus to his administration.
David said that despite the security challenges facing the country, the president deserves a second term.
He however urged the president if re-elected, to further champion the course of the sector in achieving best international practice.
He noted that the oil and gas sector cannot thrive without the maritime industry, noting that the sector provides leverage for the oil and gas sector to excel.
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