Story by Dili Utomi.
The Apapa chapter of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) led by Prince Eze Uchendu this afternoon played host to the Commander of the Apapa Special Area Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Noah Udotong Essien.
The meeting which took place at the Wharf road office of the chapter provided an opportunity for the Commander to bare his mind on a few issues concerning his duty.
Mr Essien who was accompanied by the assistant commander, administration and logistics, Mr. Edo Adanu and the Command’s public relations officer, Mr. Thomas Ogbaudu said that “We have come to establish a relationship of cooperation, understanding, due diligence and satisfaction. My aim as the Commander of this Special Area Command is to make Apapa Port, a no go area for illicit drug trade and the agents (freight forwarders) are the best bet to count on for information and so we will largely depend on them”
Mr. Essien noted that he has had a long standing relationship with NAGAFF over the years as he had previously served under the Apapa Special Area Command stating that the association has been run with the interest of members at heart.
The Commander also says that “My office is open for any complaints or for the resolution of any matter regarding our operations. You all know our core values and the principles that we represent at the NDLEA”.
Mr. Essien opined that the work of the NDLEA is so vital to the society because the evil of drug abuse has ruined many lives and broken a lot of homes. He promised to send a letter to the national office of NAGAFF in order to open new channels of cooperation.
The host and Apapa chapter chairman of NAGAFF, Prince Eze Uchendu on his part said that “The war against crime is an extended and endless one as everybody in the society has a role to play. We shall continue to do our best as body of professionals to help the NDLEA succeed in their quest to have a drug free Apapa Port”. Prince Uchendu says that the NDLEA is very much putting in its best effort as is testified with the various seizures of illicit drugs around the country and also promised continuous close working relationship with the NDLEA. The chairman says that they want to create the proper synergy with the NDLEA in order to achieve a drugs free Apapa Port.
The chapter also inaugurated its newly constituted Trade Facilitation Team. The Team is mandated to provide guidance and support to freight forwarders in regulations, work with all relevant agencies like the NPA, DSS, NDLEA and other entities at the Port, facilitate communications and to coordinate various stakeholders involved in the trade process, monitor and report on trade related issues and provide training and capacity building programmes to freight forwarders.
As the 25 man Team was inaugurated, the chairman reminded them that they have a name to protect and so should all work within the ambit of the law.
In an interview after the inauguration, the chairman said that it has became rather imperative for them to have a structure which is empowered to report infractions from all sides and set in the mechanism for dealing with such infractions, hence the inauguration of the team. He said that the essence of the team lies in helping to see to the fast tracking of the goods clearing processes by identifying all the bottlenecks that hinder the smooth process along the value chain so that these can be easily removed.
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