Sequel to a petition by the 100% Compliance Team of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) to the National Security Adviser (NSA), against operators of scanning machines in western ports, a maritime activist group has picked holes in it.
Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko-led Compliance Team had petitioned the NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, over the activities of scanning machines operators, accusing them of deliberately, purposefully and maliciously subverting the original plan and purpose of introducing scanning machines in cargo clearing processes in the ports.
However, the National Coordinator of Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers and Exporters Coalition (SNFFIEC) who doubles as the Chairman, International Freight Forwarders Association (IFFA), Apapa chapter, Chief (Dr.) Osita Chukwu Patrick KSJI, frowned at the petition, saying that it was misleading and not representing the views of freight forwarders.
He stated that it was disheartening that Tanko, a freight forwarder does not understand the established protocols put in place for managing government affairs, especially in the maritime sector.
Chukwu who is also the President of Enugu Maritime Practitioners Association (EMPA), accused Tanko of breaching protocol by bypassing the managements of various agencies operating in the ports where he could channel his complaints before petitioning the NSA.
He described the step taken by the National Coordinator of Compliance Team as undermining the efforts of the Nigerian maritime sector’s leaderships to put things right.
His words: “This petition to the NSA is not just a breach of protocol; it’s an abuse and neglect of the systems we have put in place. It gives a false impression to the world that there are problems in our port corridor, which is simply not true.”
While urging the NSA to disregard the petition which he labelled as diversionary, he accused Tanko of discrediting the good work of the Comptroller General of Customs, the Customs Area Controllers, and other senior officers in the western ports.
Chukwu alleged that this was not the first time Tanko would make such baseless claims, saying that he has a history of doing this and had been severally warned to desist from making such wild accusations.
According to him, things are already taking shape in the nation’s ports and that the gains being recorded should not be allowed to be eroded by unfounded allegations.
He queried the legitimacy of the 100% Compliance Team, stating that such a team cannot exist outside the framework of an officially recognized government agency.
Describing it as illegal, Chukwu noted that it appears to be a tool for exploitation rather than genuine oversight.
He enjoined maritime stakeholders to synergize and be focused on improving the efficiency and competitiveness of Nigerian ports in the West African sub-region.
He charged all to be collaborative with a goal to build ports that are friendly, effective, and competitive, rather than destroying the efforts of those working very hard.