By Innocent Orok
The Maritime Police Command and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwaders ( NAGAFF) has resolved to work together for the progress and business welbing of all maritime stakeholders.
Recalled that the NAGAFF Compliance team led by Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko had being in dagger -drawn with the Maritime Police Command over what they described as incessant blocking of containers duly cleared from the ports by the Nigeria Customs Service. The NAGAFF team had petitioned the Inspection General of Police and Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) threatening to go on indefinite strike to drive their demands.
But, in a swift turn of event, the NAGAFF Compliance team has said that it has suspended the proposed strike action and promised to work with the Maritime Police Command for a smooth trade facilitation and freight forwarding practice within the ports .
In a chat with Roamrepporters Online, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Maritime Command, AIG Okunade Ronke, said after the visit of the NAGAFF team and other stakeholders to the Command followed with a strategic meeting with the Nigerian Ports Authority Management and NAGAFF, a truce has been reached by the two parties.
” The NAGAFF team visited this command and that was the first time I was meeting with them. We discussed and I explained to them what we have been doing. I told them we don’t just blocked containers as they alleged ,but when stakeholders brought complains or intelligence about such containers , that’s when we take actions.
” I also told them the efforts the command is making to make sure criminal elements don’t take advantage of the system, and so we are carrying out our statutory functions. After our engagement, they saw reasons with me and were surprised that is not what they think. I told them is just lack of communication and that because they have not deem it fit to even approach me or the Command to resolve the issues.”, the AIG explained.
On the Strategic meeting with the NPA management, based on the proposed strike by the NAGAFF Compliance team, AIG Okunade said the NPA seeks to know what the issues are and why they are proposing to go on indefinite strike.
“Again, the NPA invited us for a meeting based on the same matter, I responded and told them that I have ordered my officers to desist from blocking containers , except on intelligence report.
” I also told them that there are some of their members who are under investigation, while some are facing prosecution for illegal and criminal activities. Truly speaking, I have sanitize the system and we are doing more . I have also instructed my officers not to engage in any indiscriminate and unwarranted blocking of containers without any credible intelligence or investigation.”
The AIG , due to the Strategic meetings and dialogue ongoing with various stakeholders, the NAGAFF team has promised to work together with the command and they also have suspended the idea of going on strike.
AIG Okunade who has previously held meetings with members of Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN), National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents ( NCMDLCA) and other critical stakeholders while promising stakeholders cordial operating environment, also advised them to always be on the side of the law , while carryingout their businesses as she said the police is to protect everybody, while enforcing the law.
