The clause “we will close the ports” always coming from freight forwarders when mounting pressure over issues considered inimical to ease of doing business in the ports should never again come from them, the former Executive Secretary/Chief Executive, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Barr. Hassan Bello has said.
Bello, who was speaking at the 24th Year Anniversary of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), holding at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos today, told freight forwarders present that they should see themselves as professionals who will ensure the ports are open and not trade unionists who clamour for closure of ports on flimsy excuses.
The former NSC boss who was the chairman of the occasion, reminded freight forwarders that as they represent their principals, the owners of cargoes, they are also representing Nigeria.
He stressed that freight forwarders are very indispensable as they occupy a strategic position in the nation’s economy.
He charged them to grow up and not be too much involved in association matters.
Bello said that association is just a means to an end and not a means in itself and therefore should give more time to their profession.
He further charged freight forwarders to educate themselves and be ready to handle billions of naira cargo and not be satisfied with chasing only clearing jobs.
He frowned at the celebration of Grimaldi’s large vessel, “MV Great Lagos”, that berthed in Lagos recently, querying what exports will the ship take out of the country.
He enjoined freight forwarders to focus on exports and not be interested in only imports as the nation can’t grow without exportation.
Details later.
