The National President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu, has urged the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barrister Hassan Bello, to save the jobs of some Nigerian by sponsoring a bill that would protect certain categories of local professionals. Shittu made this statement against the backdrop of influx of foreigners into the country in search for jobs. He advised Bello to assist stakeholders by sponsoring and pursuing a bill for the protection of certain categories of local jobs in the industry, particularly those of indigenous freight forwarders. He said, “Foreigners are steadily coming into the country and taking over the jobs of Nigerians. The Council must sponsor a Bill in 2018 to protect the Nigerian interest.” He said that the NSC should not fold its hands and watch industry operators embark on what he called “mindless xenophobic attacks”, before government moves to do something about it. The ANLCA president stated he had noticed the dynamism which Barr. Bello had brought into play, and which he said had changed the image, goals and relevance of the Shippers’ Council. He noted that in the recent past, while most stakeholders’ complaints may begin and end with a written acknowledgement, the present administration would not only acknowledge complaints, it would also carry stakeholders along, a move he said had given such challenges or complaints prompt attention. On his part the President of Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Engr Greg Ogbeifun said that Nigeria would soon begin to realize the dynamism when the structural foundation and gains of operational values being currently established by the Council begin to percolate into tangible dividends.
