Multiple Checkpoints: Customs Agents Attack NAGAFF for Withdrawing from Planned Protest Against Customs
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Wednesday came under attack by customs agents for withdrawing from the planned shutdown of ports in protest against multiplicity of checkpoints by officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
NAGAFF was part of some associations, including the Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) who lamented the negative effect of the multiple checkpoints on the road close to the ports and border posts.
The associations which came under the umbrella ‘Concerned Freight Forwarders’ had given the leadership of the Customs to address the issue within 72 hours or they will shutdown the ports.
But NAGAFF President, Chief Increase Uche had few days after a press conference by the concerned agents issued a statement directing its members not to be part of the action.
Reacting to the development, some customs agents said through the social media that NAGAFF has always worked against other associations when the need for united action against any government agency, particularly the Customs arises.
Noting that the association had said that it prefers dialogue on the issue, the agents referred to similar positions in the past and queried what it had achieved for the industry.
One of the agents, known as Pastor Edwin alleged that by taking this position, NAGAFF may have been settled.
Edwin argued, “ If not which dialogue are they talking about, for how long now have they not been dialoguing? Strike, protest and downing of tools is the hallmark of trade unions, even NLC, ASUU etc employ it when necessary. But in maritime industry, Nagaff will always play holier than thou and align with the interest of customs and govt authorities after collecting miserable peanut to betray practitioners. Let’s see what their phantom dialogue would produce” .
But another agent known as Okey Nnerus reacted, saying that Pastor Edwin should stop saying what he cannot be substantiated.
In reaction, Pastor Edwin said, “ Which substantiating are you insinuating about? Let’s go into antecedents of crisis management in the maritime industry and take an inventory the roles Nagaff have played each time there is a crisis. Tell us, have Nagaff ever lead a proactive protest, strike or taken an action either as a Union or in collaboration with other maritime unions to effect a visible change in the numerous problems bedeviling the maritime industry? Remind me if I have forgotten. Instead, each time there is a crisis, is either Nagaff pulls out from having a united voice with other splinter unions, or it would make a statement that would make others in the industry seem like trouble makers who want to destabilize the ports. If you are not economical with the truth or trying to display eye service to those you owe it, tell us, what have Nagaff’s dialogue and its deal dialing antics achieved in resolving the myriad of problems in the port?
Let’s tell ourselves the truth, if you remove strike, protest etc, a union is a lame duck. Dialogue is more effective in during of strike or protest, especially when you have a deaf government”.
Pastor Edwin was supported by another agent, Anyaeche Joe who said, “That’s their way! Just to maintain :”the good boy” of the Establishment while other Associations are portrayed as “antagonists”. And yet people expect stakeholders to speak with one voice for the good of all”.
However on the allegation of settlement, a source who is a member of NAGGAFF said this was not true, adding that those who feel that way were only bitter about the association’s decision to pull out when it is most needed.
The concerned agents had identified 10 different units of the Customs, including the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Headquarters Strike Force and others which are constituting obstacles to trade in the ports and border stations.
In the statement by the President of NAGAFF, Chief Increase Uche, the association said it will not support any act of unprofessional conduct capable of breaching the public peace by any of its members and/or freight forwarders in general.
Customs spokesman, Mr Joseph Attah had in reaction to the concerns raised by the agents justified the action of the Customs units, arguing that the officers have not violated extant laws in their activities.
A ttah said that the checkpoints were part of the anti-smuggling war by three units of the Customs, namely – the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Command resident officers and Headquarters Strike Force.
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