APFFLON Inaugurates Onne Chapter EXCO, Restates Commitment to Partner with Other Maritime Associations for Economic Growth

Africa Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has inaugurated her Onne chapter.

Speaking at the event Thursday, at Onne, Rivers state, the National President of APFFLON, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite said he was at Onne to affirm the EXCO who has been working for nearly two years.

"Am here to affirm and encourage them that we are with them from the national to the chapters."

He expressed happiness with the successes recorded so far by the Atanda led Onne chapter of APFFLON insisting that what he saw has vindicated him for taking the decision to work with him and the current EXCO.

“I urge them to keep up the tempo", he stated.

On his relationship with Customs, other government agencies at the Ports, and Maritime associations he said APFFLON has a cordial and robust relationship with Customs, ANLCA, NAGAFF among others insisting that "Professionalism is not politics, it is only those who are not technocrats that think that professionalism is politics."

We are here to fill the lacuna that existed in other associations and we will be happy to partner with every relevant and critical organization or association for economic growth and development of our members and Nigeria at large."

“We are not fighting anybody, no rivalry, nothing. Our common goal is to develop our people, and empower them financially through our Profession and grow the economy that is fragile at the moment", he said.

Ogunojemite who has charged the Federal government on Ease of doing business and Trade facilitation said he was piqued by the level of Construction work going on at Elelenwo and Onne axis of the East/ West Road.

His words: I was here 16 months ago and till now nothing tangible has been done on the construction of this road. This will affect Ease of Doing Business and Trade Facilitation especially now that Nigeria is moving towards the African Free Trade Arena”

He urged the authorities concerned to expedite action to ensure the road construction and the provision of other infrastructures that will enhance trade for the benefit of his members and Nigerians at large.

Earlier in his welcome address, the APFFLON Chapter Chairman, Onne Forwarder Kolawole Atanda had welcomed everyone to what he described as an epoch making day. He stated that " history is being made today in Onne as APFFLON has been formally inaugurated as a chapter in Onne command of the Nigeria Customs Service to operate as one of the recognized Freight forwarding organizations.

He added that the vision of APFFLON was to create an environment that positions Nigeria prominently in the committee of maritime nations, “ensuring we operate at an international level."

Speaking further, Atanda emphasized that APFFLON is not just an association, but an advocacy platform dedicated to maritime advocacy and national economic development.

He noted that the Association is not limited to maritime issues alone but about the welfare of the people, the economy and policies that impact Nigerians as a whole. 

He also noted that members are ensured that programs and policies of the Nigeria customs service are followed to the later especially in trade compliance as well as a pressure group to ensure that all Port related agencies do not or are not seen as exploiting clearing Agents.

"Today is a turning point, I do appreciate other associations for the role that they have played in the industry. I want to let them know that we shall try and fill whatever lacuna there might be in the system, the more, the merrier they say", Atanda emphasized.

He went further to posit that APFFLON was established nearly 10 years ago. But the organization got into Rivers State specifically onne command some few years back.

He said “I understand that some will wonder why the inauguration took this long?

But like every good venture, it had its own teething challenges."

Atanda who lampooned the former leadership said “at inception of the organization the initial leadership suddenly abandoned the ship at high sea ,and the ship automatically became rudderless and heading towards no direction .But I and together with the great minds decided to steer the ship out of the storms and steady the ship towards sailing to its desired destination "

He said he was proud to say " today to the Glory of God that APFFLON, within this short period of time has moved from what is APFFLON to we know APFFLON " This we are grateful to God and to every member that has made this journey possible . Your sacrifices in terms of time despite your tight schedules and resources have been instrumental to what we have all achieved so far"

The Onne chapter Chairman listed some of his achievements to include acquisition of Office accommodation "Within this short time we have been able to secure an office for the Association as we used to hold our meeting in public spaces"

"We also participated alongside other associations in successfully reversing the obnoxious fees that was introduced at onne by trucks owners and their collaborators

He noted that many of their members might not be aware of the steps taken by APFFLON to remove the sudden hike in Haulage fees introduced by truck owners association and their collaborators last year.

The fees according to him were not in the interest of agents even as he concluded by saying that "our association is constantly engaging the shippers’ council where issues of Tariff hikes are being discussed."

The newly inaugurated EXCO include :

Atanda Kolawole.... Chairman.

Chima John Ejimofor .... Vice Chairman.

Issah Kabir Yomi... Secretary General.

Alice Etim Emmanuel.. Asst Secretary.

Ibrahim Soyoye... Financial Secretary.

Amos Alewu Omenka... Treasurer and Jared Patrick Egelem as Public Relations officer.

Speaking on behalf of other members of the EXCO, the Secretary General, Mr. Issah Kabir Yomi expressed their determination to work for the upliftment of the Association even as he vowed that they would not use their positions to oppress anybody and according to him, "nobody will also oppress us."

Written by Bon Peters

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