… As National Compliance Joint Taskforce of Licensed Clearing Agents is inaugurated
The National President of the National Compliance Joint Taskforce of Licensed Clearing Agents, NCJTFCLA, High Chief Dr. Basil Nwolisa has said that the organization is not a political movement nor is it an institution of aggression.
Nwolisa who declared this in his welcome address at the inauguration of the organization in Lagos on Friday, however, disclosed that the organization was a registered advocacy group as well as pressure group committed to promoting transparency, accountability and compliance in the clearing and forwarding industry in Nigeria.
“Our main objective is to address the endemic corruption that has plagued our nation, particularly, in the clearing and forwarding industry. We want to ensure that the rules and regulations governing our industry are adhered to and that the rights of importers and exporters are protected.
“We are committed to tackling the issue of double taxation by shipping companies and terminal operators who charge both demurrage and rents on the same container. We will also be asking questions about why the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service is still operating near the ports despite the laws that established it stating that they should be at least, 40 kilometers away from the border post.
“Furthermore, we are concerned about the corruption that has become endemic in our nation, particularly, in the Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies. We will not stand by idly while officials demand bribes from importers and exporters. We will work tirelessly to ensure that our industry is free from corruption and that rule of law is upheld.
“In addition, we will be addressing the issue of drivers using bad vehicles to carry containers which causes destruction of goods and loss of revenue to importers. We will work with the relevant authorities to ensure that only roadworthy vehicles are used to transport containers”, he stated.
The National President, therefore, assured that the new organization would work tirelessly to promote transparency, accountability and compliance in the industry insisting that the body would not be deterred by obstacles or challenges and that it would remain committed to its mission of promoting a corrupt – free industry.
“But we cannot do it alone. We invite members of other associations and groups to join us, especially those in the markets, transportation, packaging, clearing, forwarding, freight logistics and other related fields. Together, we can speak with one voice and amplify our impact. No single group alone can end corruption in Nigeria without collaboration with others. We also extend an invitation to the law enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies and government institutions to join us in this fight against corruption“, he submitted.
On his part, the Chairman of the occasion and President, Association of Progressive Traders, Trade Fair Complex, Chief Eric Ilechukwu also known as Akunwafo expressed his joy over the inauguration adding that the milestone represented a significant step forward in their collective pursuit of excellence, transparency, and accountability within the industry.
Represented by Great Stanley Chidum popularly known as Igwe Dum, Ilechukwu observed that as licensed clearing agents, his association recognized the vital role they play in facilitating international trade and commerce adding that “We also acknowledge the importance of adhering to the highest standards of compliance, ethics, and professionalism.
“I know that one of your aims is to promote a culture of voluntary compliance, shared best practices, and collaborate with regulatory agencies to address emerging challenges and opportunities, let us work together to uphold the integrity of this profession, support the growth of our economy, and foster a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect.”
Also speaking, a former National President of the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders Nigeria, AREFFN, Dr. Frank Ukor harped on the need for the organization to work with the compliance teams of all the freight forwarding associations, as according to him, every other association was talking about compliance hence the need to collaborate with them and work together to advance the nation’s economy.
“I want to tell Basil that he cannot do this alone, he needs to gather all the associations, of course, you know there are five accredited associations, you need to get to them,get all their compliance teams and work with them so that it will have an effect. But once he does it alone, he might not get the desired effect.
“You young ones, we have left the stage for you, work with Basil and with all the associations to make sure that we comply with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and advance the nation’s economy”, he said.
In his goodwill message, the founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam warned members of the organization not to approach the issue of compliance with dirty hands and minds adding that if they do, they won’t go far in this their initiative to entrench compliance in the industry.
He advised them to go to the market centres like ASPAMDA, Balogun, among others, meet the organized bodies within those markets and sensitize them on compliance to trade rules and regulations noting that when the traders become compliant, their job would be made easier for them.
His words, “If they don’t do, if you don’t handle it very well, you are going to create more problems for them. If you don’t get the traders right to understand the essence of compliance, and then, you move into the port, and you confront FOU and the rest, you are going to create more problems and I am telling you that these traders will turn behind again to attack you. They will see you as the one causing the problems.”
Insisting that what the proponents of the new organization needed was knowledge, Aniebonam said, “You can’t do much when you don’t have knowledge. The first thing to do is to get knowledge for administration. I am sure that you are going to have an enforcement unit. In that enforcement unit, do you know what you are going to do? Do you have knowledge? Do you know how to tackle such issues? But if you don’t, you have messed up everything.”
He however, disagreed with Dr. Frank Ukor on the organization seeking the help of other freight forwarding associations to fight corruption and entrench compliance saying, “You don’t need the cooperation of anybody to do the right thing. What you are talking about is compliance, there’s already a law. When you know that you are doing the right thing, go ahead and do it and fall in line with the law. That is the rule of law and that’s what is governing the society.
“If you want to go and start looking for NAGAFF, ANLCA and the rest, will they understand what you are saying when they have made up their minds on what they want to do? But if you lean on the part of the law, you go ahead and do what is most important for the society.”
Highlights of the event included the presentation of the Certificate of Office to the executive of the organization, unveiling and launching of the organization’s constitution. The event was attended by four traditional rulers, leaders of organized markets, traders, Importers and exporters as well as freight forwarders.
Photo 1: High Chief Dr. Basil Nwolisa, National President, National Compliance Joint Task Force of Licensed Clearing Agents, NCJTFCLA (middle) with some of his executives during the event in Lagos on Friday.
Photo 2: Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, Founder of NAGAFF speaking in his goodwill message during the event in Law Lagos on Friday.
Photo 3: Great Stanley Chidum, representative of the Chairman of the event, Chief Eric Ilechukwu (Akunwafo) giving his opening remarks at the event.
Photo 4. A cross-section of the Royal fathers during the inauguration in Lagos on Friday.
Photo: A cross-section of the newly elected executive of NCJTFCLA during their inauguration in Lagos on Friday.
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