…Alhaji Tanko Reacts, Claims Importers lose close to N2.8Bn to Samples collected by NAFDAC, SON
ZAINAB JUNAID
The National Coordinator, Save Nigeria Freight Forwarder, Importers and Exporters Coalition(SNFFIEC), Chief (Dr) Osita Chukwu Patrick, has challenged the petition written by the 100% Compliance Team of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders-NAGAFF to the National Security Adviser(NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu against the activities of the Operators of scanning machines in the Western Seaports, saying action does not have purpose value.
Speaking with selected journalists in Lagos yesterday, the National Coordinator, who is also the Chairman, International Freight Forwarder Association (IFFA) and President, Enugu State, Maritime Practitioners Association, condemned the petition and regards the approach as a breach of protocol, and abuse which undermines the job carried out by security agencies.
He said the Team led by National Coordinator, Alhaji Tanko Ibrahim should not be used to sabotage or destroy the collective effort of all stakeholders.
Recall that the Compliance Team under the National Coordinator, Alhaji (Dr) Tanko Ibrahim had accused operators of scanning machine of deliberately, purposefully and maliciously subverting the original plan and purpose of introducing scanning machines in cargo clearing processes, especially, in the nation’s Western Seaports.
In a letter addressed to Office of the National Security Adviser and made available to the media, Alhaji Tanko said the agencies are perpetuating the option of physical examination and also sabotaging Nigeria Ports. He claimed efforts by the Federal Government to secure the Nation are grossly undermined by some agencies, concessionaires and public officers in positions of authority.
However, Dr Osita, reacted on behalf of his association by condemning Alhaji Tanko’s petition saying 100%compliance speaks for no stakeholders but himself.
His words, “For Alhaji Tanko to have petition NSA, his move is seen as breach of protocol, it’s a frivolous attempt to undermine the handwork of all stakeholders in the industry. It’s a means of seeking cheap popularity. It’s important he understands that 100% compliance can only work in NAGAFF and not in the Maritime Sector. Tanko should always speak for himself and not as an association or on behalf of freight forwarders. How can you be indicting these agencies solely and say you are speaking for everybody?
Also on the allegation of goods samples collected by Security Agencies like National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), Standard Organization of Nigeria(SON) for further examination and not being returned to the owner, Chief Osita faulted the allegation claiming there’s no time goods taken as samples for further verification are not returned by these agencies.
He revealed that prior to the examination exercise, a form is issued out by these agencies for the approval to ascertain number of goods needed for further test or sampling and with this form the goods samples are returned to the importers.
“Alhaji Tanko is indicting NAGAFF with his actions, there is a form that NAFDAC usually issue out that they want to perform an examination and you need to authenticate the examination form to ascertain number of goods that is needed for further test, sampling. It is written on the form how the samples are utilized and there is no how you return to these agencies with the form without you being given your samples back. So to me his claims are false. And he has indicted all senior officers in this Zone with his act. Has he ever rewarded those doing good in the industry NO. Honestly his position is dead on arrival,” he stated.
But when Contacted, Alhaji Tanko of 100% Compliance Team in a telephone chat with our reporter maintained that “NAFDAC has representatives all over the world, every container shipped into Nigeria have their representatives here in Nigeria also. The representatives here will check the quality of the goods you import. There is a fee you will pay before opening form M, for example there is a sampling form that the terminal operators gives, and we go for further test. My concern is whether we pass or fail, what action have they taken? They are supposed to go to the warehouse of the importers and return the samples and also give him papers that he passed the Standards procedures. If they have been doing that, there will be a time that you will not bother on some importers because you would have build confidence in them and situations where there’s any violation, let the NAFDAC or Security Agency reveals where the importers have violated the regulations. They are supposed to be giving importers for food compliance, for maintaining standard procedures but instead they are enriching themselves, using importers samples to stock their shops. Why should we go and request for samples back when they can take it down to the importers themselves?
He continued, “The address is there on the form, ours is to notify the importers that samples have been taken by either NAFDAC or SON. At least both the good and the bad importers are well known to them. They are claiming that it’s little samples taken, but I don’t understand how an agency will be taking Air Condition AC, the in-window and out-window, take full generator and claimed they are small samples, full carton of drug, complete roll of medication is always being taken as samples. Is that small samples? The amount of samples collected is too much, after calculating the samples collected for five years by these agencies, it’s value is N2.8 Billion and that is a huge amount lost just for Samples collected. Government must come in to this matter.
Reacting on whether he speaks for himself or for all freight forwarders, Alhaji Tanko said “No NAGAFF member will say I’m speaking for myself, I always make sure we do the right thing, considering the fact that I’m the National Coordinator of 100% Compliance Team and anyone saying such see us as a barrier because they are always looking for fast lane to make money. It’s important to know that when you fight corruption, corruption must fight you back. Anyone faulting my petition must be a joker, we need to join hands to correct things and get things right, we can not allow the country to continue sinking. We need to contribute positively to the betterment of the Country. He said.
However, further findings by our reporter at SON office in Apapa revealed that all samples taken by the agency are always being returned once requested for with the form earlier issued to the agents.
An anonymous source claimed goods samples are returned after examination has been carried out. “Once the agents come back with the form earlier issued to them, their goods are given back to them. I don’t understand where the idea is coming from that we don’t always return samples,” he stated.
