Freight Monitor
Fresh cracks in ANLCA widens as Emeka Igwe tackles Mustapha, accuses him of being an interloper
“As a leader, I mustn’t be the one to truncate the peace in ANLCA–Mustapha
The Eyewitness Reporter
The new vista of crisis in the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents(ANLCA), sparked off by the sudden resignation of Nze Aloy Emeka Igwe as the chairman of the Association Election Committee (ASECO), seems to be festering.
The resumed hostilities in the association, six months after a fragile peace was brokered following the factionalized elections in September, are assuming a new dimension as Emeka Igwe had pointedly accused Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of ANLCA, of stoking the fresh crisis.
In his expanded reasons for his resignation, Igwe said he had to leave when the atmosphere was becoming suffocating and toxic.
He accused Mustapha of behaving like a tin god in ANLCA by virtue of his position as the BOT chairman, wilfully usurping the powers of the President of the association.
In an apparent response to the allegation of lack of accountability leveled by Mustapha against the former ASECO Chairman, Emeka Igwe said the BOT Chairman lied in a bid to frustrate him out as ASECO Chairman to pursue his personal political agenda.
“My resignation as ASECO Chairman is as a result of the suffocating foul air in the association.
“The BOT Chairman thinks he is the law and order in ANLCA.
“He does not obey simple rules, he does not understand the provision of the ANLCA Constitution as concerns BOT.
“He does not understand how the association should be run. He is hell-bent on usurping powers he does not have.
” His attitude is annoying and that was why I quietly decided to leave without making noise about it.
” Unfortunately, he thinks that the best way to harm me is to bring allegation that I did not render an account of my stewardship as ASECO Chairman” the former ASECO Chairman thundered.
Igwe accused Mustapha of attempting to perpetuate himself as the BOT Chairman as he was afraid to face free and fear elections which ASECO under his leadership will conduct, hence his(Mustapha) political maneuvering to ease him out.
“It is important to state that at a meeting supervised by the regulatory body – CRFFN at Eko Hotels that 8 members of BOT, 4 from each faction and 8 members of ASECO, 4 members from each faction were appointed.
” The arrangement was for ASECO to organize the NECOM election first and the BOT election a month after.
“But after the NECOM election, it seems that some BOT members are afraid to face AGM for election.
” They, especially the Chairman, have been playing games and tinkering with the idea of dissolving ASECO which was appointed just like them.
“He has no such powers. The arrangement was not for BOT to remain there in perpetuity. They were not elected.
“Mustapha’s fear is understandable because if the level of transparency and fairness exhibited at the NECOM election last September is applied, someone like him won’t return elected.
“The overwhelming majority of ANLCA members and even his colleagues are sick of his penchant to act as if he is the National President.
“So he is desirous to put a Chairman of ASECO that will return him elected and if you don’t like it… Go to Court” Igwe alleged.
He further alleged that the BOT Chairman, who he said is less than 10 years in ANLCA, thrives and feeds on crisis.
“Alhaji Mustapha is less than 10 years in ANLCA and he has refused to learn the ropes.
“He feasts on crisis and whenever there seems to be peace, he creates crisis.
“I decided to leave and I submitted my resignation letter quietly without involving anyone or the Press and NECOM accepted my resignation, thanked me for my services and wished me well in future endeavours.
” But Mustapha took it from there and brought false allegations against me.
“It is clear that the problem we have in ANLCA is Alhaji Mustapha because ever since he joined BOT, he has stuck to the Chairmanship position as if his life depended on it.
” You can see that he is the one throwing evil narrative to the public because he knows that his continued Chairmanship of BOT is illegal and the only way he can sustain that is to create a crisis and that was basically why I resigned.
“The man feeds on crisis and this crisis he has regenerated, let’s hope ANLCA will come out of it stronger.
” I don’t think that stakeholders will fold their hands and watch a greenhorn who knows very little about ANLCA to bring the Association to ruin and disrepute” the former ASECO Chairman declared.
He however put a lie to the narrative made by Mustapha that he, Igwe, as the chairman of ASECO, failed to render account of his stewardship.
The BOT Chairman had accused the former ASECO Chairman of ignoring several calls for accountability.
But in a swift reaction in his statement titled ” The Evil Narrative In The Eyes Of Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha”, Igwe said Mustapha’s allegation is tantamount to giving a dog a bad name to hang it.
“My attention has been drawn to a publication of an online outlet wherein the BOT Chairman of ANLCA alleged that I failed to give a report/account of the NECOM election of September 2023.
“The allegation is totally false and should be disregarded by the general public. I will come back to that shortly.
“The allegation that evil narrative was thrown at journalist presumably by me is equally false and unfounded.
“My resignation letter was addressed to the National President of ANLCA in the form of an internal memo.
“It was not released to the press and up till this moment I have not spoken to any journalist.
“It is NECOM that chose to accept my resignation letter in the form of a Press Statement in which they equally released my resignation letter to the public.
“The challenge ASECO had was various postponements that affected logistics hence the supplementary budget.
” Having said that, immediately after the inauguration of the new NECOM on 23rd November 2023, we met and reconciled the account which we submitted alongside the report to the National President and copied the BOT.
“So the account Alhaji Mustapha claimed we did not submit should be with him.
“The National Secretary received and acknowledged our report on behalf of NECOM.
” The acknowledged copy is hereby attached for our perusal.
“Record of all expenses as disbursed to each ASECO member and the purpose for the disbursement are fully captured and attached to the report.
“All members of ASECO consented to the report.
“Moreover, the budget for election and supplementary budget therein was sent to BOT which they exhaustively scrutinised and approved before releasing funds to ASECO.
“We religiously adhered to the budget. Hence our report is in compliance and fulfillment of our adherence to due diligence and accountability.
“Being ASECO Chairman was not a job I jumped to. Stakeholders wanted me to be there because they were convinced that I would be neutral, fair and just to all irrespective of faction or divide as it then was in ANLCA.
” I rose from the ranks in ANLCA, from Chapter EXCO member to Vice Chairman and eventually the Chairman of MMA Cargo Chapter.
” My antecedents are there, my impact on the association is well known to all.
“The contribution of my Chapter under my watch to the acquisition of the National Secretariat is still fresh in the memory of my professional colleagues” Igwe explained.
When contacted, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha said he had worked tirelessly for the peace which the ANLCA is now enjoying and will not be the one to truncate it.
He however said he would not banter words with anyone in this issue and to his, as far as he was concerned, the matter is closed.
“I have worked hard along with good-spirited individuals in our industry to return ANLCA back to this peaceful level.
“As a leader, I mustn’t be the one to truncate the same peace.
” I have received a lot of misleading stories about me in the past when the crisis was on.
“So I will never react on this one. All I know is that I have no reason to twist any story or lie against any of our members.
” So I apologise to our members who feel threatened by this new development.
” I can assure you ANLCA is not going back to the dungeon. We will not allow the fifth columnists to derail us.
” The booby trap has been detonated. I appeal to journalists to be more professionals. So that chapter is closed”, the ANLCA BOT Chairman concluded with a note of finality.
Freight Monitor
APFFLON: A clout chaser in maritime industry?
Freight Monitor
Ozo Chukwurah preaches peace in ANLCA
— praises efforts of Emenike, Farinto, Ipariola, Abdullaziz, Oforbike , Obiora,Okafor in keeping ANLCA together.
— crowns Wale Cole the new ‘governor’ of Tin Can chapter
Funso OLOJO
In what appears to the a new dawn of peace in the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents(ANLCA), the erswhile Vice- Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Association, Prince Ozo Chukwurah, have praised the current sanity in the hitherto polarized freight forwarders union.
Prince Chukwurah, in an exclusive interview with our reporter, eulogized the efforts of certain individuals for their efforts , commitment and sacrifice that have resulted to the present peace in the ANLCA.
Specifically, he singled out the National President of the association, Mr Nwokeji Emenike for his exemplary leadership,acumen and political sagacity in bringing back the ANLCA from the precipice.
The former Chairman of the Western Zone of the association also praised the sacrifices of Kayode Farinto,the former Acting National President of ANLCA, Alhaji Mukaila Abdullaziz, the former Secretary and later Sole Administrator of the Association, Mr Eniola Ipariola (Anyman), John Oforbike and Obiora Elochukwu which he said has helped to heal the wound inflicted by the years of intractable crisis which rocked the ANLCA to its foundation.
He also shared a kind word for Mr Dennis Oka for(Akataka).
” I want to congratulate Emenike Nwokeji, the National President for keeping the ANLCA together.
” He met a disunited and divided association from the BOT to all the members.
” He was able to stand and weathered the storm and restore peace and harmony to the association.
” I salute his courage and leadership qualities.
” My special recognition to some individuals for their roles in making ANLCA great again.
” In our BOT election, some of these people were humiliated, disenfranchised, yet they stayed in the association.
” People like Kayode Farinto, Eniola Ipariola (Anyman), Mukaila Abdullaziz.
Despite the treatment meted out to them, they still remain in the association,
I salute their sacrifice.
” I must not fail to mention the role of John Oforbike for being strong and steadfast in his love and commitment to ANLCA
” I will also like to recognize an independent mind, a strong but highly underrated individual in the person of Obiora Elochukwu, the present of Chairman of the Association Electorial Commission(ASECO).
” He surprised and exceeded the expectations of everyone in his handling of the chapter elections.
” He should be allowed to conclude the Apapa chapter elections.”
” My greatest and highest recognition goes to Prince Wale Cole, the elected chairman of the Tin Can Island chapter.
” I hereby relinquishes my title” the Governor ” and given it to Prince Wale Cole.
” Henceforth, he is to be known and referred to as the ” Governor” of Tin Can Island chapter of ANLCA.
” He is the new Sheriff in town.
On the conduct of the chapter elections and his expectations, Prince Ozo Chukwura said;
” Am appealing to the Board of Trustees (BOT) and all ANLCA members to allow and support Obiora Elochukwu ( ASECO Chairman) to finish his work.
“Because further crisis in ANLCA will never help anybody. But, most sincerely, I will also congratulate my big brothers, Chief Henry Njoku and Sir Ernest Elochukwu, while appealing to them to put their differences aside , so that ANLCA will rise more than it is now. Congratulations to all those who love ANLCA.”
On why he has decided to congratulate all this people and the conduct of the election having being a leader from the other faction, he said,
” From the time of Kamba, we have been having divided interests, even in your family, but that doesn’t remove you from the family.
“Interest will never die, but human beings will come and go. Some names are no more heard in ANLCA today, but those who are in the association today will fight to make same ANLCA remain one”.
Ozo also spoke on why he decided to hand over his title as ” Governor ” of Tin Can after over 20 years since he left office in 1999 and his expectations from Wale Cole as the new ” Governor” of Tin Can Chapter.
” I won the first election at Tin Can Island Chapter in 1999, people came together and gave me the title the “Governor of Tin Can”.
“I did not give it to myself , they gave it to me as a nickname, they felt then that I have the capacity to govern that big port of Tin Can.
“When Tin Can, Brawal, SCOA, SIFAX , PTML, all of them were under Tin Can”.
Why he decided to hand over the title to Wale Cole, after many Chairmen have come and gone- Ozo Chukwura said:
“They all came in their own different ways and styles. Dr Kayode Farinto came, a highly educated individual in ANLCA.
“Oyinola came with his own style, but this young man , Wale Cole , came like a Tsunami, that nobody could resist.
“Wale Cole came with a Tsunami that nobody could win him in Tin Can.
” That was how Prince Ozo Chukwura came in 1998, won the election with Tsunami, which I relinquished it to Olatunde, who later supported me to win again in 1999.
” It was the way and manner I collected the key to Tin Can that Prince Taiye Oyeniyi was holding and Oye supported me, that is when they gave me the title ” Governor of Tin Can”.
” Now that Wale Cole came with too much strength, he did not collect the key from me , because am no longer in office, he bulldozed his way and won the chapter election at Tin Can, he is now the new “Governor ” of Tin Can Island Chapter of ANLCA.
On his expectations from Wale Cole, haven’t regarded him as his political godson, Ozo declared
” He should always maintain peace and unity in ANLCA, not to see himself as a tin god , but to be humble.
“So long God has given me a second chance to be alive , I will continue to advice him. I have absolute confidence in him.”
Finally, Ozo Chukwura message to stakeholders to support Wale Cole and ANLCA to succeed, he said
” Many things happens in government. The way it is now is not they way it was then. I will advise him to work , more especially collaboration with NAGAFF people and give due respect to all the executives of NAGAFF, while I will beg them to reciprocate.
” Though, no organize competition, but there are individuals interests ” Prince Ozo Chukwurah concluded.
The ANLCA has been embroiled in an intractable crisis for over five years which the present NECOM inherited.
The crises rocked the association to its very foundation and threatened its existence.
But the recent happenings invite association suggest that peace and sanity is gradually creeping into the association being touted as the oldest and largest freight forwarders association in the country.
Freight Monitor
Freight forwarding business under threat as Customs Agents lament high cost of goods clearance at ports
— We are diversifying into other businesses to stay afloat– ANLCA Chieftain cries out.
Funso OLOJO
This is not the best of times for freight forwarders who ply their trade at the Nigerian ports.
This is because their cherished trade is under threat due to the astronomical increase in the cost of clearance of goods at the ports.
Due to the plethoral of charges slammed on importers/ Shippers at the Port, most of them could not afford to bring in as many containers as before while others have outrightly stopped the importation business.
This development, our reporter gathered, has therefore put the freight forwarding business on the brink of collapse due to lack of patronage.
According to the cost analysis of cargo clearance procedures at the Port, an average importer, using the Nigerian ports, pays more than six different exorbitant charges apart from customs duties.
For instance, before an importer could exit his goods from the ports, he pays the following charges.
a. N500,000 NAFDA Certification
b. N500,000 SON Certification
c.45 per cent( up from 30 per cent) terminal operators and shipping companies service fees/ charges
d. N 150,000 to N200,000 NESREA/ other Environmental Agencies charges
e. N45,000 per day demurrage on 20- footer container
f.N68,500 per day demurrage on 40- footer container
g.20 million Customs duty on 20- footer container
h.26 million Customs duty on 40- footer container.
In addition to these charges, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has recently increased its tariff by 15 percent.
It could also be recalled that the Nigeria Customs Service only recently put on hold the 4 per cent Free on Board (FOB) charge on imports due to the outcry of freight forwarders .
However, the FOB charge would eventually be reinstated later after sufficient consultations and sensitization are carried out by the customs.
Alhaji Mukaila Abdullaziz, the former Sole Administrator of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents(ANLCA) said the listed bills are more than that.
“What you have just listed was an average cost, they are more than that” he declared with a hint of bitterness in his voice, when asked to confirm the cost analysis as the foremost freight forwarder in the industry.
” The Customs’ Federal Operations Unit(FOU) is still there.
“Their officers will lay siege on the road for a container that have already paid the exorbitant fees you have mentioned.
“They too will slam their panthom charges on the already exited container and if you don’t pay, they will impound it and take it to their office” the ANLCA Chieftain declared.
When asked how freight forwarders break even in the face of these multiple charges, Abdullaziz retorted;
” We are not breaking even .No agent is breaking even except the dare- devil ones who are ready to do anything to break even.
“But for some of us who are old hands on the job and have names to protect, we are not breaking even because we are not ready to compromise the system”
“That is why most of us have diversified into other businesses to stay afloat”.
“The freight forwarding industry is dead” he said with a hint of regret in his emotion – laden voice.
Our reporter could confirm that most of the old hands in the freight forwarding business have diversified into hospitality business as they are owners of choice hotels spread across Lagos and other commercial cities in Nigeria.
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