The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) on Wednesday inaugurated an eight-man Board of Trustees (BoT) for the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agent (ANLCA).
The inauguration of the BoT took place at the 1st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association in Lagos.
The member of the board are Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha, Dayo Azeez, Mr Ernest Elochukwu, Mr Dennis Okafor, Mr Ozo Chukwura, Alhaji Shamsideen Awopeju, Mr Kingsley Offor and Eniola Igbaruola.
Also, a former BoT member, Mr Taiye Oyeniyi, stepped down from the board to be a patron of the association.
ANLCA for the past five year was having crisis with regard to the tenure of the BoT.
Speaking, Chairman, CRFFN, Alhaji Abubakar Tsanni, noted that the event had reduced the tension among members in the association.
Tsanni urged the association members present to relay the decisions taken to those absent as those present took responsibility for them.
He also urged members to understand that it was important for everybody to register with the CRFFN as that would guarantee them operating in the industry.
Tisanni pointed out that a tribunal had been set up which would soon start working and the aim was to ensure that only registered freight forwarders would operate in the country.
“That is why we said that only registered freight forwarders should attend the meeting and whatever decision taken is binding to everyone.
“The essence of the meeting is to have understanding in the association and whatever that was not concluded today will in due course be done,” he said.
In his response, a board member, Mustapha, noted that he was expecting a situation whereby both sides would clap, hug and laugh together and was happy to see such.
“We were able to calm the nerves of our members before coming for this meeting and we beg that whoever we have offended, in the spirit of forgiveness should forgive us,” he said.
He pleaded that whatever was brought to the table would be acceptable by all.
Also, Chukwura urged all members to calm down as whatever they want for the association, they would get but they needed to move the association forward.
Dr Kayode Farinto, acting President, ANLCA pointed out to members that the industry and members had suffered for the past five years and so the need to make peace.
“What we are having today is a political solution. I allowed you all to vent your anger because you have legitimate right, but we need to move on for peace to reign.
“We have witnessed colossal losses and I am happy that we are coming back together,” he said.
Farinto urged members to key into CRFFN and be registered, adding that by the end of the year, if they were not certified and practicing, they could go to jail.
“We have collapsed two structures, old and new board and the next AGM we will have soon, we must confine the rule of our board to what is stated in the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA).
“This crisis has exposed ANLCA and made people to know that the role of the board is meant to be advisory, but we had a situation where the board was taking executive function,” he said.
Also, acting Registrar, CRFFN, Mrs Chinyere Uromta, said that it felt good seeing the way ANLCA members displayed their grieves, wisdom and understanding as demonstrated.
According to her, it shows that they really want one house and for peace to reign.
“Where there is peace, there is progress. It’s a plus for the council and the freight forwarders, so that they grow the economy of the country,” she said.
