We Shall Clamp down on Shipping Companies, Terminal operators collecting charges for Services not rendered -Eze Uchendu
The Chairman Nagaff, Apapa chapter, Prince Eze Uchendu has hit out at shipping companies and terminal operators who fleece freight forwarders with frivolous and arbitrary charges, causing them to pay for their inefficiencies and services not rendered.
The newly sworn in Chairman of Nagaff, Apapa Chapter has read the riot Act to those still bent on perpetrating illegalities at the Port.
Speaking with Journalists in his office, recently, Uchendu said, “in the next six (6) Months, any shipping company which does not comply with the ease of doing business, those still bent on collecting illegal, frivolous charges for Services not rendered will not be overlooked, we shall let them know that this is a new era.
My chapter has a good understanding with the Nigerian importers, in collaboration with Alaba traders’ Union, we don’t need to go to the government, we will demand for explanations on any noticed increase,” Uchendu warned.
Asked to discuss the noticeable flaws and gaffs of the Chapter in the last dispensation, Uchendu said, ” at this juncture, I don’t want to assess the last administration. I do not want to assess nor examine my predecessor this early in the day but I know there were faults, gaffs and I will not want to wash this dirty linen outside. There were short comings which I may not discuss outside. I will simply correct them and when I have done this, my work will speak for me,” he said.
On where he will see the chapter in the next three (3) years.
He says, ” by the grace of God, I will like to position Apapa Chapter on a very high pedestal. A level where members of sister Associations will be envious and tempted to jump ship and embrace Nagaff as new members for our enviable achievements.”
Continuing, he says, ” as you know, for the past twelve (12) years, Nagaff, Apapa Chapter could not boast of a Secretariat, formerly it was 18/19 NPA Commercial building but after the destruction of that building, the past two Chairmen never deemed it fit to get a Secretariat for the chapter but I can tell you now, that within two weeks of our stay in office, we have been able to secure a large space within Apapa here. It’s not too far from where we are, 13/14 wharf Rd., just opposite Eleganza plaza.
In the next couple of weeks the office will be commissioned for use and work will commence in immediately.”
The Chairman went on to say, ” I think that is the first step for me and my Exco. If we did this in just two weeks, I feel 3 years is too far to look at. In the next one year, we shall witness tremendous changes in the running of this chapter,” he enthused.
Within this one year, terminal operators, shipping companies and the NCS, will know that a new regime had come on board, with the kind of relationship that will be forged. It’s not going to be business as usual, I will work within the dictates of the law. First, protecting the image and integrity of the Association which I represent. Second, I shall listen to the plights and complaints of those I represent, I tell you, it’s not going to be business as usual. It’s not going to be giving money or taking money this time,” Uchendu stated.
He promised that the chapter’s Compliance team which was almost comatose, will be up and doing, to fight the plights and course of the Apapa Chapter, even though the national compliance team is doing a wonderful job.
On how he intends to get the chapter members behind him, he says, ” this democracy and it’s a government of the people by the people and for the people. This is a movement, you have to join the moving train with good intents and purposes. My administration will be all encompassing, Apapa Chapter is for all, not for me alone.”
He advised members to always be punctual to meetings and endeavor to check up the Association’s website for updates.
“We want to run an open and transparent government. My hope and aspiration is to lift Nagaff, Apapa Chapter higher than I met it,” Uchendu said.
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