NAGAFF Urges Government Agencies To Make Nigerian Ports Competitive With Global Standard Under AFCFTA.

BY Chinonye Anyatonwu

The National President of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarder, (NAGAFF), Chief Emmanuel Tochukwu Ezisi has called on the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) and other relevant government agencies to make Nigerian ports more efficient and competitive with global standards especially under the current African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in order to attract more ship calls from the region. Speaking in his welcome address at the 24th Year Anniversary and Award Celebration of the association, held recently in Lagos, the National President stressed that if Nigerian ports must remain competitive to attract more cargo flow in the region, NPA, NSC, NCS and others have to check the inefficiencies in the ports and Customs operation.

He highlighted some features of inefficiency manifesting in port operations, as in Poor quality of services at the port which is key to operational efficiency; Port charges, arbitrary hike in duty and terminal charges indirectly affects port operational efficiency; Illegal activities of non-state actors within and around the port’s terminals; Proliferation of agencies contribute to cargo clearing delays; and Challenges faced by truck drivers in accessing terminal gate, loading amongst others. According to Chief Ezisi, NAGAFF in its 24 years of existence has contributed immensely to the national economy, adding that the association has immensely contributed also to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through adequate payment of duties, levies and Practitioners Operating Fees (POF) accrued to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Chief Ezisi noted that NAGAFF trade facilitation and 100% Compliance units were designed to enhance growth in national economy by checking anti-trade facilitation activities at the ports. Further speaking, NAGAFF president said that the association contributes greatly to capacity building of the nation’s workforce through its accredited NAGAFF Academy, and members contributions to business operations within and around the port areas and border stations helps to fight and reduce insecurities and social vices.

Also speaking at the event. the founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam, said that he founded the association in order to liberate freight forwarders from oppression, disclosing that he single handedly sponsored the Council for the Registration of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) in his bid to professionalize the job. He noted that many of his colleagues who opposed the bill later benefited from it.

L-R: National President of NAGAFF, Chief Emmanuel Tochukwu Ezisi, ex-Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigerian Shippers Council, Barr. Hassan Bello and Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam at the NAGAFF’s 24th Year Anniversary/Award Ceremony on Friday The founder stated that though CRFFN may not be working as it should now but he was optimistic that it would achieve its original purpose in the near future. He urged the young ones following him to brace up and take full charge of the association, adding that, “I am going out of the scene, old age is setting in and I have stopped wearing face caps for red caps which signifies senior citizenship in Igbo land ", the founder stated.

Earlier in his speech, the former Executive Secretary, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerians Shippers Council(NSC), Barr. Hassan Bello instructed freight forwarders that they should always see themselves as professionals not trade unionists "They should therefore be more focused on their job and not see themselves as trade unionists who carry association matters on their heads". In his words, "Freight forwarders are professionals whose job is very essential to the nation as they occupy a strategic position in the economy, the association is just a means to an end and not a means in itself and therefore enjoined them to give more time to their profession" He advised freight forwarders to focus on exports and not be interested in only imports as the nation can’t grow without exportation.