ANLCA Crisis Update: Transport Ministry Sacks CRFFN, Takes Over Mediation Process

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…No Going Back On Election—Mukaila

By DAPO OLAWUNI

Fillers from the meeting called by the Minister of Transportation between the warring factions of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) on Thursday in Abuja indicates that the ministry has decided to take over the adjudication process away from the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN)

Moving forward, there are fresh indications that the ministry would now mediate the process until mutual understanding and peace is achieved in ANLCA.

Speaking with DAILY TREND exclusively at the end of the meeting, a Member of the Registered Board of ANLCA and Former President of the association, Chief Earnest Elochukwu said the CRFFN which was represented by its Acting Registrar, failed to defend it’s role in the ANLCA crisis and the approach adopted in resolving the crisis.

Recall that Elochukwu had at a press conference in Lagos on Monday challenged the CRFFN, saying that the Chairman, Alhaji Tsanni Abubakar was biased in resolving the crisis in ANLCA.

He said that the process reeked of bias, even as he described CRFFN action as a monumental fraud.

Our correspondent gathered that the Thursday meeting was called by the Minister of Transportation on the strength of a petition written by the board members against CRFFN action in the ANLCA crisis.

Chief Elochukwu said “The ministry called us to hear us out, the Registrar of CRFFN was there, myself, Chief Dennis Okafor and Mr Dayo Azeez were identified present

“The ministry said the meeting was called, based on the report that CRFFN submitted that it has resolved the crisis in ANLCA, but that when they saw the fresh petition against the process, the ministry felt the meeting should be called

“We have our own detailed account of the crisis which I rendered. The Acting Registrar was asked to give an account of how the crisis was reconciled but she has nothing to give, except for quoting sections of CRFFN Act. The ministry said it was aware of all these Act, but interested in what method was applied in reconciling the factions

“At the end of the day, the ministry said they have heard us and that they would take charge of the situation.
The CRFFN Registrar said all the sides were invited but they did not show up for the meeting”

Meanwhile, speaking with DAILY TREND on Wednesday, National Secretary of ANLCA, Alhaji Abdulazees Babatunde Mukaila has said that there is no going back on the planned election into the National Executive Committee (NECOM) of the association.

While reacting to allegations of the NECOM elongating it’s tenure by three months, the ANLCA Scribe confirmed that the supreme constitution of the association was followed.

He also said that the BOT Chairman, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha was aware of the development, and that board members were present at the said NEC meeting where the decision was taken.

“Under section 8 subsection 2 of our constitution which talks about extension of tenure, it is clearly stated that if a situation arises wherein election cannot be conducted, extension of six months can be granted, but where that deadlock persist, then the BOT can step in, dissolve NECOM and appoint an administration which must not be more than six months in office to conduct a fresh election

“The same section said in subsection 2 said the National Executive Council in conjunction with BOT shall have power to extend tenure for three months

“At that meeting, ASECO said they needed forty five days to sell forms and do due diligence on all the application people have submitted.

“Prince Taiye Oyeniyi said forty five days is not known to our constitution, and they should take three months, so that they don’t run back to the house seeking more time

“Alhaji Mohammed Mojeed from Tin Can Island Port moved the motion, supported by Toyin Oyeleke, it was unanimously adopted and we all left.

“As of today, ASECO has rolled out their guidelines and timetable which would culminates on 25th of May for NECOM election.

“Suddenly, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha wrote a letter that after 16th of April he is taking over the association, he is not talking of election again.

“Board members were present at that meeting, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha as BOT chairman was in Saudi Arabia.
On the day he was sworn in, he agreed with us that 16-days was not enough for ASECO to conduct the election

“Ozo Chukwura was there at the meeting, Prince Taiye Oyeniyi came as a Patron, five of the BOT members attended the meeting. From the opposition, Mohammed Mojeed was the one who moved the motion” he said

Alhaji Mukaila said it was regrettable that ANLCA is taking One step forward, ten steps backwards.

He said “This peace process cannot breakdown, the election would happen, if they don’t want us to sign any documents before that day, we would do that, but the election must happen, somebody must emerge as the NECOM to run the association, not the BOT”

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