ANLCA ELECTION: Farinto Prromises To Create Institute Of Customs Brokerage
By: Bisi Akingbade
The presidential candidate in the forthcoming elections of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Dr. Kayode Farinto, has promised to establish an independent institute of customs brokerage which is to exclusively focused on the needs and challenges of customs brokers if elected as ANLCA president.
He made this promised while addressing his supporters during the campaign in Apapa, Lagos.
His word "In the industry, we have various sectors like freight forwarders, customs brokers, logistics suppliers, consolidators, and warehouse owners, but everything has been lumped together. This makes it difficult to differentiate between professionals.
"For instance, I pay N250,000 yearly to renew my license and an additional N15,000 at each command. On the other hand, someone else only pays N7,000 to register with the Corporate Affairs Commission. We are not the same.
"That’s why we want our own institute of customs brokerage to take care of customs brokers alone, just like advanced countries do. This is what we will pursue, God willing,” he said.
He further promised to ensure that the bill for the establishment of the Institute of Customs Brokerage is sponsored and passed into law if elected as president of the foremost freight agents association
Farinto noted that the association need a redesign and the group needed leaders that would help it achieve its aims.
"Going forward, we must redesign our lives. We need leaders that can help us achieve our aims. Our youths will be empowered, our women will have licenses."
He affirmed that CRFFN, is no longer suitable for members to belong because its original reason of establishment has been compromised.
"It is a misnomer for members of ANLCA to belong to CRFFN, as the original intention of CRFFN has been hijacked by the Federal government. The composition of CRFFN shows that the Federal government appoints 17 members while we elect 15.”
Dr. Farinto vowed that within 90 days, if the leaders could not achieve some of the campaign promises, members should stone them anywhere they see them on the road.
He however, promised to work closely with the Federal government to secure a 1% allocation from the annual revenue generated by customs brokers which will be used to tackle operational challenges.