FILES- This file photo taken on January 18, 2017 shows a freight train transporting containers laden with goods from China, arriving at DB Cargo’s London Eurohub rail freight depot in Barking, east London, after travelling from Yiwu in the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang. The first freight train to link China directly to the UK arrived in the eastern Chinese city of Yiwu on April 29 after covering over 12,000-kilometres (7,500 miles), making it the second-longest route in the world. The journey is the latest effort in China’s drive to strengthen trade links with western Europe along a modern-day “Silk Road” route. / AFP PHOTO
By Godwin Oritse
THERE are indications that crisis may be brewing in the freight forwarding sub-sector of the Nigerian maritime industry as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Agents, ANLCA, Mr. Peter Obi, has been accused of anti-association activities. Already, Obi has been given two weeks ultimatum to disassociate himself from other freight forwarding groups or face sanctions.
Reacting to the development, Obi told Vanguard that he has not committed any offence as no freight forwarding association has the exclusivity of membership.
He explained that the law permits him to be a member of any number of associations without limit, adding, “although, ANLCA is the umbrella association, being a member of ANLCA does not stop me from joining other associations.”
Speaking to Vanguard on the development, National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kayode Farinto, said that by next weekend when the ultimatum would have expired, the ANLCA executive would know the next line of action to take.
Apart from being a member of the Board of Trustees of ANLCA, Obi is also the chairman of the Board of International Freight Forwarders Association, IFFA.
Meanwhile, Obi has said that the various freight forwarding groups that were supposed to protect the interest of practitioners have failed to live up their obligations. Speaking in Lagos at the National Executive Committee meeting of IFFA, Obi said that the debut of the International Freight Forwarders Association should not be seen as a tool to enrich the pockets of the executives, rather, it should be seen as a call to service.
The seasoned freight forwarder also said that the inauguration of the new freight forwarding group marks the beginning of a new way of practice of the profession adding that the group must be well coordinated at all times.
He said “Go out there and make a name for yourselves and money will come. Other associations have failed freight forwarders, do not allow this new group to go the same way. There was a time government was afraid of freight forwarders because we were a force to reckon with. Let us regain our lost glory, make IFFA the envy of other associations.”
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