The Members of the NECOM of ANLCA and Apapa chapter chairman in group photograph with Paul Van Der Linden at SIFAX two, Ijora.
Story by Dili Utomi.
In a bid to completely put paid to all doubts about who is in charge and also put the spotlight on the authenticity of the elected chairman and the executive members of the Apapa chapter of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the national executive committee of the association in conjunction with the elected executive members at the Apapa chapter of the association and the chairman of the Compliance Committee, on Thursday visited two bonded terminals under the SIFAX group.
The tour which was led by the national secretary of the association, Mr. Babatunde Abdulaziz commenced the tour with a visit to the new SIFAX two terminal at Ijora Seven up. They were received by the managing director of the SIFAX Container Port Terminal/SIFAX Logistics Limited, Paul Van Der Linden. At the meeting, Mr. Abdulaziz traced the history of the association to its formation in 1954 and buttressed that there has always been elections be it at the national or chapter levels to usher in new executive committee and for smooth and easy succession and running of the affairs of the association, he added that the visit was aimed at dissabusing anybody’s mind about who is in charge at the Apapa chapter of the association and to introduce the duelly elected and inaugurated executive members as led by Dr. Sylvester Budu well as the 100% Compliance Committee chairman to the terminal. The SIFAX terminal is under the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service. The national secretary also added that the chairman of the SIFAX group is a member of the association and indeed the chairman of the board of trustees of ANLCA. He gave a copy of the association’s constitution to the MD and they look forward to having a more symbiotically beneficial relationship with the Terminal.
The entourage in a group photograph with the o/c terminal of the SIFAX two Ijora, AC Dauda MG. In green attire is Mr. Abdulaziz and in red cap is Dr. Budu.
Mr Van Der Linden thanked the entourage for the visit as he joked that as a licensed agent, he is also a member of the association, he promised to work with the chapter chairman and his executive as well as the 100 % Compliance Committee.
The entourage afterwards moved to the office of the Customs officer-in-charge of the terminal, Assistant Controller Dauda, MG where the team was introduced by the national secretary of the association and the reason for the visit stated. AC Dauda also expressed his pleasure at the visit and said that it is a good thing for the relationship that they all share as partners in contributing to the economic development of the nation, he advised that the Compliance Committee should ensure that their task is carried out without fear or favour. At the two places, Dr. Budu also spoke up and said that he and his men are fully committed to working with the management of the terminal and the Customs personnel in order to carry out their functions rather smoothly and have more beneficial relationships.
AC Ohanyere speaking with the team in his office at SIFAX terminal at Trinity.
At the SIFAX terminal at Trinity, Apapa, the team met with the officer-in-charge, AC, Ohanyere, I.I and also went through the protocol of introducing the people in the entourage as well as reaffirming their commitment to having a good working relationship with the terminal. The o/c also thanked them for the visit, but warned that they should all not engage in activities that will make each other’s positions untenable. The o/c added that his door is always open as he wished the team well.
Some members of the entourage at the SIFAX terminal at Trinity.
At the end of the tour, Dr. Sylvester Budu who was the major organiser of the tour spoke with our correspondent and said that at the core of the reason for the visits is the issue of authenticating the legitimacy of the chapter executive as led by him, to make sure that in conjunction with the Compliance team a proper working synergy is achieved and to familiarise themselves with the terminal operators and the Customs personnel so that there will not be any conflicting interests. He said that the inauguration of the Western Zone executive by Hon. Iju Tony Nwabunike led national executive committee is a fantastic idea which makes it easier for them to have people to immediately run to when any operational or other issues crop up as he vouches for the capability of the coordinator of the Western Zone, Mr. Femi Anifowoshe. Dr. Budu said that since his executive committee and the Compliance Committee have the same objectives, there will be smooth functioning in all areas and that there is no fear of any overlap in functions. On the issue of e-Customs, Dr. Budu said that it a good idea, but that time is not yet ripe for it, he advises that certain measures be put in place before the process is introduced. He also condemned the giving of targets by the federal government to the Customs to meet as this makes nonsense of their Customs primary function of trade facilitation.
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