NAN-HE-8
Warning
By Bolaji Buhari
Lagos, Jan. 5, 2017 (NAN) A Freight Forwarders, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, on Thursday advised members of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) to shun corrupt practices and carry out their duties honestly.
Aniebonam, the founder of NAGAFF, gave the advice in Lagos at the inauguration of Mr Oluwole Adeyemi as the association`s fourth president and Mr Increase Uche, as his deputy.
He said that many freight forwarders had been caught for their alleged involvement in shady deals, losing their professional integrity and businesses in the process.
“Why should we as members of this great association involve ourselves in corrupt practices in order to do our job?
“Why do we have to bribe all the time to clear our consignments?
“Why don`t we genuinely declare our consignments to the customs and pay the duties due on them?
“So many freight forwarders have landed themselves in trouble because they are into shady things.
“The fact is that we cannot make headway in this business, if we don’t do things honestly,’’ he said.
Aniebonam also warned them against using their businesses to import goods for importers, saying that the practice was not only bad, but also dangerous.
The NAGAFF`s founder said there had been cases of importers concealing illicit items like cocaine, heroin in their consignments without the knowledge of freight forwarders on whose businesses the importation was made.
He urged them to work with unity of purpose for the betterment of the association and their businesses.
In his inaugural speech, Adeyemi thanked all NAGAFF members for their support.
He said that the success or failure of his administration would depend largely on the level of co-operation he would get from members.
“Your co-operation is highly needed. If I fail as your president, it is you. If I succeed it is you,’’ he said.
Adeyemi said that part of his agenda was to ensure the revival of the association`s academy to build capacities in the business of freight forwarding. (NAN)
BHB/FF/GOK
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Olagoke Olatoye