…As APFFLON holds sensitization program for freight forwarders in Lagos Airport
ZAINAB JUNAID
In a bid to promote professionalism and excellence in logistics and freight forwarding industry, Stakeholders in Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Lagos, have converged, brainstormed on factors mitigating successful cargo clearance, export drive and chart way forward.
Organization of Nigeria (SON), Nigerian Police Force, ground handling companies, all freight forwarders representatives, and the media addressed the Security, Safety and ease of a business around Airport environment at a wSensitization program organized by the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders aand Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), MMA Chapter, on Tuesday, 3 December, 2024.
The program which was in collaboration with all government agencies within the environment, also emphasized the critical role of collaboration in promoting excellence in the industry.
In his remarks, Chairman, Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), MMA Chapter, Mr. Quadri Olorunfunmi stressed the importance of enhancing export drive, and the need to prioritize ease of cargo clearance, saying, “To further enhance our export drive, we must prioritize ease of cargo clearance vis a viz ease of doing business as agenda of FGN, as well as optimize the development of our export infrastructure, which include our ports and logistics systems. This will in turn ensure that our export process are attractive, efficient, reliable and competitive in line with global practice”.
Olorunfunmi equally posited that collaboration and knowledge sharing is key to promoting professionalism, ethics, and excellence in the logistics and freight forwarding industry.
“We strive to create a platform for our members to network, share best practices, and address common challenges.
“As freight forwarders and logistics professionals, we play a vital role in facilitating global trade, economic growth, and development. Our work is often behind-the-scenes, but its impact is felt by businesses, communities, and individuals across the continent and globe as a whole,” he said.
While expressing appreciation to the National President of the association, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, and other members for their hard work and support in making the event a successful one, Mr. Quadri advocated mutual collaboration to promote growth and development of the industry; create brighter future for the freight forwarders, businesses, and host communities.
Customs Area Controller, Nigeria Customs Service NCS, Murtala Muhammed Airport Command, Comptroller Awe, reiterated commitment to enhance trade facilitation through the policy thrust of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and assured Stakeholders of mutual collaboration in ensuring fast and smooth running of business.
Represented by Deputy Comptroller Ngozika Anozie at the event, the Area Controller informed that his administration will continue to add value to all freight forwarders and urged the agents to be steadfast in the payment of their duties.
“Freight Forwarders must always do proper documentation of works and desist from engaging in what can hinder revenue,” he added.
Bashir Tijani, Assistant Controller of Narcotics, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on his part, enlightened freight forwarders on the importance of having a secured business environment, and also stressed the need for strict compliance with war against drug abuse, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts to addressing the usage of drugs.
He noted that these will enhance Cargo clearance and smooth operations within the terminal.
While addressing the impact of drug abuse in the working environment, Tijani highlighted various forms of drugs to include socially acceptable drugs, illicit drugs and psychotropic drugs.
To him, “When the socially acceptable drugs are overused, we say it’s drug abuse, and this impedes the ease of trade facilitation. We need to strictly comply with the War against drug abuse, to sensitize our working environment, ensure safe and secured environment for ease of doing business. When you engaged in this illicit act, it deter your personality, the image of your business and the entire environment.
“The fight against the menace of drug abuse is a collective efforts and we must adhered strictly to all rules guiding against drug abuse. NDLEA does not only arrest offenders caught in the act, we enlighten, counsel and rehabilitate them. We have War Against Drug Abuse(WADA)”.
Also speaking, Mrs Alao, who represented Director of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Bemoaned outrageous rate of pedestrians within the terminal and informed that the Agency has set out plan to address the issue.
Her words, “New cargo road map has been brought up to sanitize the terminal. There will be access control into the terminal henceforth. This will help enhance safety, security and ensure International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) compliance. In Pilgrims and Cargo terminal, a platform will be set up for proper registration of all business owners and everyone operating within the terminal. It will have biometrics of all exits and entries. This will help Clean the terminal and ensure everyone are ICAO compliance.
“The Portal will be open to APFFLON members in few weeks time to have their members registered. The essence of the registration is to avoid denial at the gate,” She Stated.
Similarly, Freight forwarders who expressed their displeasure at the event on existing decayed working conditions and environment, were assured better optimal Service in the long run.
The event was also graced by representative of Customs Area Controller, NCS, MMAC, DC Ngozika Anozie; representatives of Nacho Aviance- Hajia Salma Lawan, Baba Ado Muhammed; Tijani Bashir, Assistant Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA; B.Johnson- representative of DSS; Mrs Adenike Adeyemi of Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) among others.
