In their quest to come together and have a chapter of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) in Lilypond, years after the terminal was disbanded as a Customs command, freight forwarders operating in the area paid a courtesy visit to the Western Zone Coordinator of the association, Chief Femi Anifowoshe on Tuesday.
Speaking on the reasons for the visit, a leader of the group, Hon. Prince Segun Adefioye, explained that they were with the Zonal Coordinator to intimate him with the plan to come together as a group and a chapter of ANLCA after all clearing agents operating at Lilypond terminal had scattered due to the disbandment of the terminal as a Customs command some years back.
He noted that now that the terminal is a Customs command they thought it wise to come together again as a body for the good of everyone.
Adefioye pointed out that the plan to come together was initiated by Prince Taiye Oyeniyi who once called him after a reconciliatory meeting that he should go and get freight forwarders operating in the new command to come together as the terminal is now booming as an export command.
He added that he was moved to call for a comeback meeting after a stakeholders’ meeting was held at the command and he was the only old member that attended it.
According to him, others that attended were outsiders and new faces that have just started to operate at the command.
Adefioye further intimated the Zonal Coordinator that they have had two meetings and visited the former Chairman of the chapter, Mr. Femi Oyebamji who gave their efforts a blessing.
Responding after giving them a hearty welcome, Anifowoshe demanded to know if they were Odu’a representatives or ANLCA’s as he noticed that most of them are Yoruba.
Adefioye responded that they visited as ANLCA members and that efforts are in top gear to get other ethnic groups to be part of the meeting.
The ANLCA Zonal Coordinator commended them for regrouping to come together, saying that it was a good move in the right direction.
He noted that it’s a good thing to come together as a group and make the terminal viable.
He, however enjoined them to be doing meetings regularly which will encourage others to join them, noting that it’s not an easy task to bring people together.
He further urged the leaders of the group to be trustworthy and transparent in their dealings with other members.
In his words: “I want you to be transparent and trustworthy. Let members benefit from what you are doing. Don’t allow greed among you.”
Anifowoshe also advised them not to keep malice or listen to hearsay which scatters a group but be ready to confront each other with the truth and resolve issues amicably.
He promised to discuss Lilypond issue with the National President of ANLCA on the need to re-inaugurate the chapter.
The Coordinator said he has not started work in earnest because he was waiting for the chapter elections to be conducted before coming out to address the issue of Customs’ treatment of clearing agents.
He hoped that after the chapter elections peace would reign in the association which will give him the impetus to work and stop unnecessary demands being made on clearing agents.
