NAGAFF expresses sadness over agencies’ officials sabotaging government interest
NAGAFF expresses sadness over agencies' officials sabotaging government interest
The 100 percent compliance team of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has expressed sadness over how government officials neglect the interest of the government in the enforcement of law and order in the society
The National Coordinator of the group, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko in an open letter to the president, National Assembly and other relevant stakeholders, maintained that corruption, and lack of requisite education are the remote causes of unrest in Nigeria
He maintained that all government officials should give a good representation to the president at all levels to nip corruption in the bud.
He also called on the operators in the maritime sector to eschew corruption and other related negative activities.
Alhaji Tanko believes that education is the bedrock of qualitative lifestyle even as he called on the government to invest heavily in education of the younger generation..
Full text of the letter: “CORRUPTION IS THE REMOTE CAUSE OF UNREST IN NIGERIA– matters arising Nigerian ports
“There are no gain saying the fact that the remote cause of unrest in Nigeria is about corruption , lack of education and knowledge
“Take it to the marine that if we continue to encourage corruption in Nigeria and refuse to invest heavily in education we shall be building a castle on a shifting sand
“The issue here is not about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and or the State governments of Nigeria, it is about us the Nigerian people to respect and obey rule of law and order of the society
“Specifically in our own sector of the economy, the Maritime trade and transportation, it is time we do the correct thing and stay out of corruption act and related negative activities
“Let it be on record that the heads of government agencies and parasatals assigned to ports and borders have not ask it’s officers to extort money from Nigerians who come to the ports to transact businesses
“The duty of officers are simple and straightforward to ensure full compliance to import and export regulations of the government. Indeed their various functions are clearly outlined in the extant rules and regulations guiding import and export procedures of Nigeria
“What is left for us is to abide by the regulations and learn how to be honest in our endeavours and responsibilities
“And for most agents of the government, it is so sad and regrettable to note the level of neglect over government interest in relation to enforcement of law and order of the society.
“It is trite to note that it shall be a statutory duty on the part of agents of the government to protect the interest of the government and the society. It is to the contrary at the moment occasioned by corruption
“The compliance team of Nagaff is prepared to assist the federal government in collaboration with the Nigeria customs and the Nigeria police to ensure best practices in the customs ports and border stations of Nigeria
“Our country can not survive with the level of corruption in Nigeria in almost all the sectors of the economy
“Going forward we do say that it is all about our collective courage and will to confront these avoidable circumstances in our country
“And for those who may be afraid to participate in this initiative of doing things rightly , let it be on record that the Comptroller General of customs, the Inspector General of Police and other heads of Government Agencies at the ports and borders never ask any of its officers to extort money from any one at the ports
“However in carrying out this initiative , let it be noted that he who goes for equity must come with clean hands to enable justice to prevail
“To set example of our intent to tackle corruption, unprofessional conduct and indiscipline of some officers of the government in the Nigeria ports, we hereby draw the attention of Inspector General of Police to a particular officer serving at Maritime police Command, Obalande Lagos Nigeria
“This particular officer is so corrupt with impunity and courage that his superior officers can not even talk to him over his bad conduct for over three years in that Command
“This observation is being forwarded to Inspector General of Police and DIG, finance for further investigation and NAGAFF is prepared to provide material evidence in this regard
“We shall in due course and gradually, pick bad officers from the various agencies of the government posted to entry points who we consider as part of the problems against renewed hope for Nigeria’s greatness
“Let it be on record that NAGAFF has the capacity to escalate corruption act against anybody found to be sabotaging the efforts of the federal government of Nigeria at this critical time of depression among Nigerians
“We look forward to Inspector General of Police reaching out to us at NAGAFF hqrs 2a Maybin St Apapa GRA Lagos. This observation is equally being forward to the AIG Maritime command for her information and we know that this particular officer may have received several warnings from appropriate higher authority
“We also know that a customs command and Nigeria shippers council have severally intervened over this particular officer issuing stoppage letters to Terminal operators and shipping companies on cargo at the ports.
“We also know that past Inspector General of Police may have issued various warnings to the police formations to stop meddling with customs statutory functions and yet this particular officer will never listen
“It is our belief that proper investigation by IGP monitoring unit shall reveal soonest this particular officer and his activities to serve as deterrent to other corrupt officers of the Government Agencies assigned to the ports
“Indeed as a chieftain of All PROGRESSIVE CONGRESS , it shall be inappropriate for me to keep quiet and watch this particular officer of the Nigeria police Force sabotage our concerted effort towards making Nigeria a better place for all Nigerians to live and attain their aspirations.
“This observation is therefore being signed into effect as a working document to Inspector General of Police and chairman All Progressive Congress Party accordingly
SIGNED
Alhaji Tanko Ibrahim
Head compliance
NAGAFF hqrs Lagos
