…Decries Customs server breakdown at PTML for over one week
In a move to reposition the association for more results, the African Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria, APFFLON has inaugurated new executive for its members at the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, KLT, Tincan Island Port and the Murtala Mohammed International Airport chapters in Lagos.
APFFLON President, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite who performed the ceremony at the association’s headquarters in Lagos yesterday, congratulated the new chapter executive and charged them to lead their respective chapters to success irrespective of the daunting challenges in the industry.
Highlighting the frustration faced by freight forwarders by the persistent customs server breakdown at PTML and the Tincan Island Port complex which he said had paralyzed cargo clearing at the commands for more than one week now the APFFLON boss said;
“We cannot be here today without addressing the issues in our industry. If you work at Tin Can Port, you are aware that the server has not been functioning for almost a week. As a result, we’ve been receiving calls from our clients and importers who are concerned about rent payments.”
“The situation is discouraging people from continuing in the business and must be resolved”, Ogunojemite further said, noting that while efforts had been made to contact the relevant authorities on the matter, no clear explanation had been provided for the server downtime.
“We suspect it may be related to the newly introduced B’Odogwu trade platform or the persistent issues with the Web Fontaine system, but we still await clarification from customs management”, he submitted.
He, however, warned that resolving the server issues alone would not be enough saying, “Our problems won’t end until shipping and terminal operators waive the rent charges for us. In the past, when the NPA was in charge, customs would send a signal to NPA and rent charges were waived. But now, importers and freight forwarders are being unfairly penalized,”
He thereafter pointed to broader challenges affecting the industry such as the weakening Naira and rising freight costs which he acknowledged had impacted both imports and exports.
The APFFLON president further called for the fast-tracking of the Nigeria Shippers’ Council bill insisting that the Council currently lacks the legal capacity to sanction operators, which according to him, leaves freight forwarders burdened with unnecessary costs, including rent on public holidays and Sundays.
Meanwhile, the newly elected executive for the Murtala Mohammed International Airport chapter include: Olorunfunmi Quadri – Chairman; Busayo Opara – Vice Chairman; Anslem Eke – Secretary; Dare Oloniahakin – Treasurer; Olatunji Olagoroye – Financial Secretary; Giwa Razak – PRO 1; Chiaboa Onochie – PRO 2; Sunday Afolabi – Customs Relations Officer and Saheed Alabi – Welfare Officer.
For the Tincan Island Port chapter, they are: Alhaji Akeem Ayobiojo – Chairman; Jubril Usman – Vice Chairman; Nwachukwu Charles – Secretary; Peter Obi Anselm – Assistant Secretary; Eng. Peter Mbamaonyeukwu – Treasurer; Sunday Aderinsoye – Assistant Treasurer; Rabiu Taoffiq – Financial Secretary; Michael Osuya – Assistant Financial Secretary; Clinton Ikechukwu Okoro – PRO as well as Rasheed Tijani – Customs Relations Officer.
While that of KLT are as follows: Mr. Haruna Isiaku Aliyu – Chairman; Abdul Yaya – Secretary; Abdul Majeed – Financial Secretary; Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq – Customs Relations Officer and Omotayo Rufus – Welfare Officer.
The inauguration ceremony was preceded by free medical checks by medical personnel brought in by the leadership of the association in order to ensure quality health for its members and executive to carry on with their day to day activities at the national frontiers.
Photo 1: APFFLON in Council during the Inauguration of three chapters of the association in Lagos on Thursday.
Photo 2: Otunba Ogunojemite (right) issuing letter of appointment to the Chairman of KLT chapter of APFFLON.
Photo 3. APFFLON President, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite (right) presenting letter of appointment to Mr. Olorunfunmi Quadri, the Chairman of MMIA Chapter at the official inauguration of three chapters of the association in Lagos on Thursday.
Photo 4. Alhaji Giwa Razak (left) receiving his letter of appointment from the APFFLON President, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite.
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