The registered Board of Trustee (BoT) of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has said the inauguration of an interim national executive following the dissolution of the national leadership after their tenure elapsed was to resolve the lingering crisis in the association that has crippled activities of clearing agents at the ports.
The Chairman of the BoT of ANLCA, Taiwo Mustapa, said the inauguration of the executives was necessary as the leadership crisis of the association, which has been in court on several occasions, has not only slowed down the progress of the association and its members but has affected trade facilitation.
He said the tenure of the former NECOM members had expired since April 16 this year, adding that as the association awaits a new election into the leadership positions, the interim executives would run the affairs of the association.
Recall that an interim executive was inaugurated last week and was given a six-month time frame to steer the affairs of the association until a substantive National Executive Council (NECOM) is elected.
The executives, who will act in the capacity of the president are Pius Ujubonu; vice president, Jamiu Adeyinka; acting secretary, Joe Sanni; publicity secretary, Francis Ituah; Treasure, Usman Babalungu and financial secretary, Waheed Gbadamosi.
Others are Co-ordinator, Western zone, John Ofo bike; Eastern zone, Obi Chima and Northern zone, Sanusi Wakili.
He said the inauguration of the executives is also in accordance with Section 22 (2c) and 13C of the association’s constitution following the expiration of the four years tenure of the former national executives in April 2022, which he said caused a crisis in the association.
“The leadership crisis is not making the association progress. This has distracted us from our core duties of ensuring credible trade facilitation. We are not able to challenge customs unfavourable policies hindering effective trade facilitation at the ports.
“ However, due to the refusal to vacate office after their tenure had lapsed on April 16, 2022, they have left the BOT of ANLCA with no other choice than to dissolve the NECOM.
“An interim NECOM will take over the affairs of the association for the next three months or six months, depending on when they fully round off their transition period.
“The ANLCA Constitution gives the board the right to inaugurate interim executives to run the affairs of the association pending when an election would be held for the leadership positions,” he said.
