ANLCA Condemns Hasty Implementation Of New Customs Exchange Rate

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  Expels erring members, SIFAX boss emerges new BOT chairman

By Yusuf Odejobi

The National President of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Iju Tony Nwabunike has expressed his displeasure towards the quick implementation of new Customs exchange rate.

He opined this at the emergency general National Executive Council Meeting (NECOM) held at Marriot Hotel in Ikeja GRA, Lagos stating that it will negatively affect trade and members of the association.

The meeting which is the highest organ of the association was held to address fiscal and monetary policies of the government as it affected the association, personal issues, financial issues, operational issues, disciplinary committee report among others.

Addressing the members, Nwabunike frowned at the incessant federal government’s pattern of changing exchange rate through Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), lamenting that the quick implementation of new Customs exchange rate won’t work as supposed because it takes a minimum of 90 days from opening Form M to the arrival of vessel at the port.

His words: “You look at the time of opening Form M and the time of arrival of vessel and you’ll realize why the federal government ought not to do an immediate exchange rate implementation but rather give a timeline of at least five months.”

According to him, the process would have been seamless if port stakeholders, especially freight agents were carried along in order for them to notify the authorities about the actual reality and how such policy affects trade.

The ANLCA boss took the opportunity to announce the new Board of Trustees (BOT) with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Olayinka Afolabi as chairman and Prince Ozo Chukwura as his vice.

NECOM also took the decision to expel for life, some members and the company they represent who have acted with great misconduct as against the disciplinary committee recommendation to suspend them for 4 years as stated within the association’s constitution.

Members present at the meeting voted against the committee’s recommendation because they believe that faulted members have acted and stepped beyond the line and suspending them was not enough sanction.

Some of those expelled are former National President of ANLCA, Chief Ernest Elochukwu and his company, Nestilo Nigeria Ltd; Sir John Oforbike and his company DENCA Services Ltd; Mr. Temitope Akindele of Great Star Line Nigeria Ltd; Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha of Pyramid Nigeria Ltd; Prince Taiye Oyeniyi of Mackmany Nigeria Ltd; Mr. Joe Sanni of Multimodal Logistics Ltd; Mr. Gideon Nwagbaraocha and his company etc.

Prince Chukwura reacting to his new role revealed that since he has been a member of ANLCA, he has made quite a number of board members and this won’t be different.

He added that the board will act as the father of the association, act as the custodian of the association’s properties and ensure litigation brought against the association is resolved amicably.

“Anytime there’s disparity among members, the board will come together to ensure peace reign. I’ve been part and parcel of negotiating team for years and in my little capacity, I’ve participated in a number of conflict resolution and achieve a number of success. We’re not the running the daily activities of the association but we’re going to give NECOM our full support.”

“The role of the board is to keep peace and bridge the gap in the association. Even those that are expelled if they ask for forgiveness to come back to the association with sincerity of purpose, as fathers of association we’ll appeal to NECOM as fathers of association to look into their case once more,” he said.