By Joshua Yousouph
In a bid to address operational issues affecting its members at the nation’s seaports, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has reconstituted its Compliance Task Team.
Speaking at the inauguration at the NAGAFF headquarters in Lagos on Wednesday, President of the association; Mr Tochukwu Ezisi noted that since the inception of the 100% Compliance Team three years ago, it had been an active eye of the association in checking corruption at the ports, by ensuring that ideal customs and trade procedures are practiced at the port terminals, border stations and bonded facilities across Nigeria.
Ezisi however stated that there are issues confronting the Team and affecting efficient and effective delivery of its core mandates, adding that the primary aim is to achieve a strong synergy between the National leadership and Chapter chairmen to work together as a family.
Sheding more light, the NAGAFF President said that the association’s management has reviewed the problems and reconstituted a total of 15-member ‘nonresident’ intervention committee from each chapter which will automatically replace all existing compliance teams at the chapters henceforth. Ezisi added that their role will be on ad-hoc bases at the instance of the association’s President and shall be resident only at bonded terminals and not at the port terminals.
Chief Ezisi informed that name of team will now be identified and known as “100% Compliance Task Team”. A five-member trade facilitation committee in each of the chapters was also nominated specifically for facilitating trade at the chapter level.
“As you all know, over the years NAGAFF has evolved to being one of the major stakeholders and a strong voice in the affairs of the maritime industry in Nigeria and the 100% Compliance Arm has been instrumental to this laudable achievement.
“Today, the achievements of NAGAFF through the 100% Compliance Team can never be overemphasized, especially under the leadership of Alhaji Tanko Ibrahim. I therefore urge every participant and stakeholder to roll up their sleeves for work with a positive mindset towards achieving the desired results and I promise you that my government will support your good wins”, Tochukwu concluded.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the 100 Percent Compliance Task Team, Alhaji Tanko Ibrahim noted that aim of the team is not to fight or witch-hunt other stakeholders or agencies in the port, but to ensure total compliance to port regulations.
Tanko however charged members of the Compliance Team on the need to put their hands on deck, making sure that there is transparency and ensure that every stakeholder plays by the rules.
On his part, the acting General Secretary and Registrar of NAGAFF Academy; Mr Francis Omotosho noted that compliance is based on the knowledge of the extant laws and regulations as well as the norms that guide the profession.
He also informed that a two-day training programme has been scheduled for the newly- inaugurated team.
Omotosho admonished the team to ensure they enroll for adequate training, adding that NAGAFF is a knowledge-driven association.
The legal adviser to NAGAFF, Mr. Fred Akokhia thereafter administered the oath of allegiance to members of the new team.
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