- IFFA Pledges to Revive Moribund Terminal
The International Freight Forwarders Association has pledged to deploy its members in ensuring that activities boom again at the Lillypond Container Terminal Limited at Ijora.
The association stated this on Friday during the inauguration of the Ijora chapter of IFFA.
Speaking during the inauguration, the IFFA President, Dr. Sam Onyemelukwe, also urged sister associations including the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders to eschew violence and avoidable confrontations with the Federal Government but embrace peace and constructive argument.
He noted that his group comprising professionals committed to the advancement of their business interests would continue to stimulate growth and development in the freight forwarding sector and support government’s efforts in growing the economy through the seaports.
In the face of prevailing economic instability, Onyemelukwe promised that the group would collaborate with other port stakeholders to make maritime and freight the number one revenue earner for the Federal Government.
He enjoined members of the association nationwide to disregard any directive on industrial action and withdrawal of service.
He said, “We must move away from the old, primordial tendencies of militancy evident in issuing unnecessary ultimatum, withdrawal of services, closing down of the ports, strikes, violent protests and their likes. Problems are better solved through continuous engagements and interfacing among stakeholders by effective dialogue to articulate plans and measures that will engender progress.”
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Ijora-Lillypond chapter of IFFA, Chief Lawrence Ubah, said that the moribund condition of Lillypond Container Terminal was worrisome to major stakeholders, hence the establishment of IFFA at Ijora.
According to him, all the known existing associations that have all it takes to bring back the glory of Lillypond terminal and its Customs Tin Can Island 2 Command have failed to do so.
He assured the Tin Can 2 Customs Controller, Mr. Mahmud Dalhat, that the coming of the association would bring a turnaround in his command and increase its revenue generation.
Ubah also assured the terminal operator and other government agencies at Lillypond that the association was set to bring about the needed connections and contacts to revive the terminal.
“IFFA is the only association for now that has all it takes to bring back the glory of Lillypond command. This is evident and can be attested to by the cream of personalities and groups of people who are members of IFFA”