The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has decried that there has been a significant increase in the level of corruption in the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) since the emergence of a substantial Director General.NAGAFF made this known in a letter sent to President Buhari and also disseminated to the media.
The letter read, “Mr. President, since the exit of Dr. John Akanya as the DG of Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), it has been a case of breaches and abuses of statutes as well as corruption in the administration of the Organization.
“However, there is no need to cry over spilt milk but to look towards the future of Nigeria under your watch. Mr. President Sir, it is with deep sense of humility and patriotism that we advise you to pay attention to certain strategic parasatals in the maritime trade and transportation, because of their strategic nature and implications on security of the state and revenue therein”
NAGAFF pointed out that SON plays a significant role in trade and commerce which are key to the growth of the nation, hence they stressed that the association should be play a major role in the reforms required to enhance the revenue base of Nigeria and pull the nation out of the current economic recession.
“Mr. President, there is the urgent need to restructure, reform and reposition SON, NAFDAC and indeed all regulatory agencies of Nigeria to become optimal in their performance devoid of corrupt acts and actions.
“The concept of systemic corruption is the greatest problem bedeviling our march towards a greater Nigeria and economic recovery. It is basically human element, borne out of bad leadership in most of the organizations” NAGAFF said.
NAGAFF asserted that SON either didn’t understand what President Buhari’s “change” mantra set out to achieve or that they were deliberately frustrating the President’s efforts.
The Association also thanked the President on the appointemet of leaders at various parasatals including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agencies (NIMASA).
NAGAFF also emphasized the need for Nigeria Customs Service, Standards Organisation of Nigeria and National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration Control (NAFDAC) leadership to engage the mantra of “change”.
“Mr. President, let it be on record that your attention be drawn to the ports because corruption is quite high there” NAGAFF stated.
