By Cosmas Okereafor
Following the closure of operations for two days running at the cargo village of Murtala Mohammed International airport, due to increase on cargo charges from #7.00 to #20.00 by FAAN, works in the area has come to a halt as stakeholders await further development. In a joint press conference organized yesterday by the leaders of: Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), National Association of Freight Forwarders and Consolidators (NAFFAC), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), called on the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria(FAAN), to reconsider its position saying that, the agents are ready to sit on a round table to talk things over with the authority. Dr, Oluwasegun Musa, the Deputy National President, Air Logistics and Former NAGAFF Chapter Chairman, MMA averred that FAAN and the agents have good working relationship ever and are ready at this time, to negotiate to avoid anything that is capable of derailing economic program of government in the area.
He alluded to the fact that, airport environment is very sensitive which the agents are mindful of at all time, pointing that industrial disharmony was not the way to go at this time of economic revival. He described as astronomical the idea of jarking up the cargo charges from the present #7.00 to #20.00 in view of the present economic situation and therefore appealed to the authority to be very considerate in any measure its taking. He bemoaned the loss within these two days everyone downed tools, stressing that, agents are ready to go back to duty as soon as consensus on the matter is reached. For him, Mr Tope Akindele, the Chapter Chairman of ANLCA in the area pointed that at no time the agents want to work at cross purposes with FAAN, rather he sued for understanding but however reiterated the unions commitment to promote industrial harmony for the common good. He bemoaned a situation where FAAN would increase the cargo charge arbitrarily without due consultations with other stakeholders. On the rumour making round that, FAAN is poised to demolish both NAGAFF and ANLCA secretariats, Akindele urged the authority to consider what would be the fate of thousands of agents who operate in the area if that happens adding that, the associations are ready at anytime to resolve any lingering issues with FAAN amicably.
The Former Deputy National President, Air Logistics, Mr Elihu Eshiet, on his part, holds the view that, at no time would the agents sabotage the revenue of the FG and therefore called on the Minister of Aviation, Barrister Festus Keyamo(SAN), to look into the plights of the agents because of their immense contribution to the growth and development of the national economy. Others who spoke at the conference called for amicable settlement of the issue to pave the way for all stakeholders to go back to work without further delay while consultations continues..
