ANLCA, TINCAN CHAPTER, HOLDS MAIDEN STAKEHOLDERS MEETING
***Inaugurates Coordinators of Terminals under Chapter
By Mcanthony Onuoha
Tincan Chapter of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) led by Prince Olawale Matthew Cole, on Wednesday, 21st of May, 2025, held the first meeting with maritime Stakeholders.
The well attended event provided a platform for members of ANLCA and other sister associations to harvest complaints about the operational challenges they are faced with at the Port.
A good number of aggrieved agents lodged their complaints before the Chairmen of various associations who keenly noted the challenges and promised to meet with the appropriate authority for solution and possible resolution of the problems.
The Tincan Chapter Chairman, Prince Olawale Cole, the Chairman of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders-NAGAFF, Chief Dr. Emeka Paul Chiedozie, the Chairman of Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders in Nigeria (APFFLON), Alhaji Akeem Ayobiojo, and his Counterpart, Chairman of National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Clearing Agents- NCMDLCA, Mr. Lawal Oladimeji, were also in attendance.
Prince Olawale Cole, after hearing the complaints of over 15 clearing agents, promised that the Chairmen of various associations would meet with the Customs Area Controller of Tincan Command, Compt. Frank Onyeka, to see how they could proffer solutions or possibly, resolve the issues completely. He called for calm, urging those that are aggrieved to exercise a little patience, assuring them that their complaints would be looked into by the appropriate authority.
Some of the issues raised were that of multiple alerts, while some condemned the 846 system, calling it a big fraud. Some also condemned payment for value and blocking as well as delay in shipping company refund. The issue of undue interception by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) also came to the front burner, the activities of Tincan Command’s Enforcement Unit, the high-handedness of MSC and delay by CMA in issuance of e-invoice, the issue of network failure and a deluge of various operational challenges were mentioned by aggrieved clearing agents who graced the event.
Meanwhile, The Chairman of ANLCA, Tincan Chapter, Prince Olawale Cole, at the event, inaugurated the Coordinators of various terminals under Tincan Chapter, and issued them with their identity cards for smooth operations.
Speaking after the inauguration, Prince Cole tasked the Coordinators on professionalism, and cautioned members against marginalization, adding that the only way to achieve progress was teamwork and unity of purpose.
Meanwhile, the Chapter’s Legal Team was also inaugurated.
The Chairman of NAGAFF, Tincan Chapter, Chief Dr. Emeka Paul Chiedozie, pledged to collaborate with the Chairmen of sister associations to achieve a favorable working condition for the Chapter, saying that the welfare of members would be their utmost priority. And promised to always be available to sustain the synergy. Other Chairmen also pledged to work in collaboration with Prince Olawale Cole for collective prosperity.
