… Urges leadership of accredited associations to ensure success of sharing formula
… Pardons independent candidates of NAGAFF extraction except Increase Uche
… Directs members to vote all NAGAFF candidates
As the Electoral Committee for the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) Governing Council election begins screening of candidates and voters today, the founder, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam has again advised the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to suspend the election and adopt the 6:6:1:1:1 sharing formula agreed upon by the accredited associations.
Aniebonam who gave this advice in a statement he issued in Lagos on Monday argued that the registered associations were the platforms for CRFFN to control and regulate the freight forwarding practitioners seamlessly.
He was reacting to the chaotic situation at the Lagos screening centre occasioned by inadequate staff and material at the venue.
While alleging that the screening exercise was going on unannounced, he added that the implication was that the election had already been rigged technically.
According to him, “Why our Honourable Minister refused a simple and seamless approach to the election is unbelievable. One began to ask questions the essence of regulation and control of practitioners. The registered associations is the platform for CRFFN to control and regulate freight forwarding practitioners seamlessly.
“I will still advise the Honourable Minister to suspend this election and follow the 6:6:1:1:1 formula of the registered associations of CRFFN. It is trite for practioners to belong to any of the registered associations of his or her choice under the regulation and control of CRFFN.
“We noted that there are non members of ANLCA undertaking verification duty. This is because it is not made public. In a normal situation the voters register should have been verified and displayed for election.”
He went on to state that any member of the registered associations of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria who undertake to participate in the ongoing CRFFN election was merely a willing tool of self imposed slavery.
He maintained that the various breaches of the CRFFN act by the leadership of CRFFN and the Transportation Ministry were ungodly.
“However, let me say this to the practicing freight forwarders of Nigeria that there is hope to regain our Council from the avoidable clutches of the Transportation Ministry over time from inception. Yes, we can still blame the Transportation Ministry but the truth remains that our sister associations ANLCA led us to this mess.
“However there is hope for the future arising from the political successes of New Nigeria People’s Party. It is not a news any longer that NNPP is the political wing of NAGAFF and with the emergence of Senator Kwakwanso in our platform, it is my belief that we are likely to have direct access to good governance 2023.
“I will, therefore, appeal to all practising freight forwarders to ensure that they register with INEC for the purposes of election 2023. It is my belief that it is much easier for us to regain our Council from the inside of the government than the present situation. The freight forwarders of Nigeria have suffered so much despite our meaningful contributions in the nations building.
“To achieve this objective we must come together as a people in one profession. Let it be said that no body shall speak for us other than ourselves to take responsibility. And for those of you who have interest to contest election in your various states, I want to let you know that NNPP is your platform to do so for the benefit of our profession and Nigeria in general.
“Having said all these, I wish to advise and appeal to the leadership of NAGAFF, ANLCA, AREFFN and NAFFAC to work together and ensure the success of 6:6:1:1: concept as agreed upon by the consultative forum. The need for the Presidents of NAGAFF, ANLCA, NCMDLCA and NAFFAC to be in the drivers seat cannot be over-emphasized”, he stated.
While directing all members of NAGAFF to go out en mass to vote all their members standing in for the CRFFN Governing Council election because it is better to engage the Council administration from inside, however, informed NAGAFF voters that the association had pardoned independent candidates of NAGAFF for their gross insubordination to the decision of NAGAFF vide 6:61:1:1 sharing formula.
“This has become necessary since the Transportation Ministry refused to respect the will of the registered associations of CRFFN. This decision to pardon is excluding the former President of NAGAFF, Dr. Increase Uche”, he said.
Photo: Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, founder of NAGAFF and National Chairman, NNPP.
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