The pioneer Chairman, Governing Council of the Council for Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (CRFFN), Mr. Tony Iju Nwabunike has given reasons why he is throwing his hat into the ring in the forthcoming Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) elections.
Besides the National President, other positions in the National Executive Committee (NEC) will be filled after the elections scheduled to take place in Enugu this week.
Apart from being the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Mac-Tonnel Nigeria Limited, Nwabunike was also the former Chairman of ANLCA, Apapa Chapter.
Nwabunike unveiled his intentions at the weekend in Lagos at a grand rally to mark the end of his nationwide campaign to solicit for the votes of delegates in the election.
He said he was going to do everything within his powers to change the fortunes of the association in the years ahead.
While giving credit to the present leadership of ANLCA led by Prince Olayiwola Shittu for putting an administrative structure in place, he however scored it low in the area of what he called “ground operations” as it affects members of the association across the country.
He promised to fight against excessive alerts from government agencies in the nation’s seaports, airports and international borders, involvement of foreigners in jobs specifically meant for Nigerians, as well as Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officers’ involvement in clearing and forwarding of cargoes.
As one of the key contenders for the coveted position, Nwabunike promised to offer a selfless service and transparency if elected, even as he stated that his administration will bring what he called “transformation” for members of ANLCA.
According to him, he will adopt constructive engagement with the NCS, partner with the relevant committees of the National Assembly and the Presidency in order to attain a respectable and equal benefits for clearing agents. I am going to pursue a one-stop-shop cargo clearance in the ports and border stations. I intend to stop interventions by agencies outside the ports. I will fight against excessive alerts, especially from the government/security agencies.
In order to fulfill his promises, he stated that he will approach members of the National Assembly and authorities to define the duties of security and government agencies in the ports.
He also promised to ensure the standardization of cargo clearing processes and charges; encourage and facilitate members to team up to acquire NCS licenses; wresting of clearing jobs from NCS officers and foreigners; address the arbitrariness with which shipping companies and terminal operators raise their charges, and ensure regular and consistent local and international training and retraining programmes for members.
The present National Publicity Secretary of ANLCA, Prince Collins Farinto Kayode is also running for the post of National Vice President. Besides being a former Chairman of ANLCA, Tin Can Chapter, Kayode is also a maritime tabloid publisher and television programme presenter.
