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Freight forwarders have joined forces with the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigerian Police to fight corruption in the nation’s seaports, airports and international borders.

The freight forwarders, under the aegis of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), said the partnership was in line with its campaign against unethical practices in the ports.

The deal was sealed when the founder of NAGAFF, Mr. Boniface Aniebonam led some members of the Anti-Corruption Committee of the association on a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, SFU. Mr. Anthony Mike Ogbizi.

According to Aniebonam, it is now time for Nigerians to support every effort to eradicate corruption, which is stunting the development of this great country.

He stated that corruption is dealing deadly blows on the country, and no effort should be spared in putting an end to the menace of corruption in the country. He informed Ogbizi that the association has a long and rich history of confronting corruption at the ports, pointing out that it was in furtherance of the task that the association set up a National Committee Against Corruption with the full complement of experienced and dedicated
members.

He noted that “when you fight corruption, corruption fights back and there is no gain saying the fact the association was already started seeing the signs.”

“The truth of the matter is that it is the tonic we needed to become more aggressive against any attempt by anybody or organisation to intimidate or
harass any of us. NAGAFF is directly in touch with Mr. President in his efforts to fight corruption in Nigeria. For the avoidance of doubt, Mr. President has been with us before he won election into the exalted position of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, when we went to break the monopoly of just one man at Jibiya Border of the North West axial of the federation. Today the Jibiya border has been Polerated for all concerned to do their legitimate business unhindered. We appreciate and thank the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali (retired) in this regard in ensuring that a level playing field is provided for all who have genuine business to do with Customs at Jibiya border as a freight forwarders”, he said.

Ogbizi, in his response, expressed appreciation to the NAGAFF leadership for the visit and the support towards efforts to eradicate corruption in our country. He expressed delight at the efforts of NAGAFF against corruption, adding that he has known the association since 1999 when he was the Head of Intelligence at Apapa Port.

The Police boss pledged the determination of his officers to the fight against fraud, in line with the mandate behind the setting up of the Unit.

Ogbizi urged NAGAFF to continue in the effort to make our country a pride of everybody.

The Anti-Corruption Committee of NAGAFF was inaugurated by the ICPC in recognition of the effort of the association in the fight against corruption. The collaboration was expected to extend to Zone 2 under the leadership of AIG Hassan Bala and the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police.

February 29th, 2016 ThisDay News