ANLCA, ONNE CHAPTER DEBUNKS COLLECTING POF FROM TERMINALS

By Innocent Orok

Mike Ebeatu

The Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Onne Seaport Chapter, has debunked a misleading and unfounded report been circulated in platforms by non practicing Frieght Forwarder that ANLCA, Onne Seaport Chapter is allegedly collecting Practitioners Operating Fees, (POF) at Onne seaport on behalf of Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).

The Chairman of ANLCA, Onne Seaport chapter, Mr Mike Ebaetu has debunked the story in a chat with our reporter.

“For the avoidance of doubt and putting the record straight in line with the Association’s Constitution and CRFFN Act, ANLCA Onne Seaport Chapter has never and has no statutorily mandate to collect POF. The Association have been collecting the Association’s Welfare Dues, (AWD) which was a unanimous decision reached by all Executives and Members in line with the Constitution of ANLCA.

“It is also very petinent for the public to note that ,the AWD collection is an in house arrangement between ANLCA and the terminals in Onne Chapter for the welfare and wellbeing of all it’s members. So there is no iota of truth in the fibricated and concocted misleading information by a mischief maker to cause friction in the freight forwarding family. So the public should disregard such malicious stories”.

Speaking further Mike Ebeatu said “This is a refutation of misinformation, the libelous, falsity of a a person claiming to be a Journalist, we will investigate more to find out his credibility and bring this to the notice of Nigeria Union of Journalists, because his likes bring disrepute to the noble profession of Journalism.

” I wonder how someone who is not a Licensed Customs Agent and not a member of ANLCA Onne Seaport Chapter should say such a baseless and false statement.”

Adding, ” I use this opportunity to call on all Licensed Customs Agents, terminal operators and other stakeholders to disregard the report and be assured that my stewardship Will continue to adhere and uphold the rules and regulations governing our profession in line with the Federal Government’s Fiscal policies on Imports and Exports at the Ports”,