NAGAFF Plays Out On Public Hearing Against Customs Officers
By Benjamin Ameh
The must expected Public Hearing on allegation of corruption against DC Saidu Aliu of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other Customs officers which earlier scheduled for Monday rescheduled to Wednesday December 16, 2015 at the Freight Forwarders Village was eventual held on the wet ground as the body played out, quoting timely intervention from reliable hierarchies of both the Customs and the group.
It was not off much tensed as it was presumed as it was a mere gathering of within the NAGAFF members and few journalist, to highlights occurrence as represented by the intervention of superior authorities of the Nigeria Customs Service and NAGAFF
National Chairman, Anti Corruption Committee of NAGAFF, Increase Uche told journalists and freight forwarders that the issues were still mere allegations adding that the freight forwarders who besieged the NAGAFF Village. The NAGAFF founder, Chief Dr Boniface Aniebonam had promised to look into the complaints of freight forwarders, with regards to evolving an enduring solution to customs-freight forwarders frictions, particularly on issues of alleged unwholesome conduct of some Customs officers.
Uche also disclosed that a meeting involving a delegation of the High Command of NAGAFF, led by its Founder Dr Aniebonam and some members of the NCS management at the Command. Both had taken a critical look at the complaints of the embattled freight forwarders and requested all parties allow internal mechanism put in place to resolve the issues amicably.
“The decision of the Association to embrace the peaceful resolution of the crisis is based on the Association’s philosophy of dialogue, consultation and responsible partnership in matters concerning our members and agencies of Government and because of the enduring cordial relationship that exists between the Nigeria Customs Service and the management of NAGAFF.”
Uche stated that the authorities of the Nigeria Customs Service and the management of NAGAFF actually held a pre-public hearing meeting with the CAC of the Nigeria Customs Service at TCIP Command where the contentious gray areas of seeming disagreement were discussed.
“The Nigeria Customs Service management under the leadership of the TCIP CAC agreed that these areas will be immediately looked into and a wider and holistic stakeholders’ meeting will be held as soon as possible where everyone concerned will be briefed on steps he the CAC has taken to make amends in the areas of concern to all manner of people who come to do business at the TCIP Command.
According to Uche, the CAC promised that all malpractices inherent in operations at the Command will be addressed and effect necessary changes that will facilitate trade devoid of corrupt practices, he observed, adding that the customs management also realized that “the era of impunity at any level is over.”
In his comment, Dr Aniebonam said NAGAFF was appreciative of the cordial relationship that existed between the Association and management of the NCS both at the National Headquarters and Command, noting that it was “built over a long period of time”, predicated on mutual understanding and respect.
While NAGAFF President, Fwdr Dr. Eugene Nweke said “Association as Whistle Blow on Corruption within Maritime Industry will not relent its efforts to expose the corrupt operators, going forward.”
While National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Director of Publicity, Dipo Olayokun toed the line of his boss that “the CAC of TCIP Alhaji Jibrin Zakari has tepid himself into our (NAGAFF) heart, deserves honour and respect as a conflict resolution expert of repute”, while praying for CAC continuous success.
