NAGAFF Chieftain Pledges Sensitization Workshop For Freight Agents On Illicit Drugs Importation

A chieftain of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Comrade  Obinali Emeka has assured practitioners of a robust working relationship with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security agencies at the port  on  the best way to prevent  and avert arrest of agents on Illicit drugs importation by unscrupulous shippers.

 

Emeka who is vying for the post of Vice Chairman, Apapa Chapter of NAGAFF stated this in Lagos during the Western Zone Chapters  Election flag off campaign by contestants on Monday.

 

Speaking with newsmen, the freight forwarder reiterated that when elected into office, as Vice Chairman of the Chapter, will ensure constant engagement with the narcotics agency to carry out aggressive campaigns forestall further arrest of freight forwarders and customs brokers respectively.

 

 

He said some practitioners have been arrested over consignment laden with illicit drugs in recent time , while importers are not queried in the process.

 

He  maintained that regular sensitization and workshop must be in place for agents to understand the dynamics on such importation and how to avoid

 

According to him, freight forwarders and NDLEA operatives will have significant role to play in the eradication of illicit drugs from the nation’s seaports.

 

The Ambassador of War Against Drug Abuse WADA added that innocent freight agents have suffered incarceration over the clearing of such consignment from the ports and there was the need to change the narrative through enlightenment programme, workshop and seminars for practitioners in logistics chain supply services.

 

Apparently, determined to maintained cordial working relationship with government agencies at the port, the freight forwarder  also pledged to ensure that practitioners and personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service work in synergy to promote and boost trade facilitation.

 

“We will make sure that we are on the same page with customs to promote trade and to also ensure digitalisation of single window platform .”

 

He added that issues associated with delay in dropping of boxes and pilfering of containers would be some of the chapter executive priorities to tackle when elected.

 

By Roland Ekama