By Bon Peters
Chief CC Okafor has vowed he will restore ANLCA to its past glory if elected as the chapter Chairman of ANLCA Onne Seaport chapter.
Making this declaration in Port Harcourt the Rivers state capital Wednesday while addressing some select journalists, during his declaration to contest for the Chairmanship post, Okafor said the time is now to take ANLCA Area11, Onne to its former glory wondering why those in the executive of ANLCA who are contesting the Chairmanship position will be talking of “transformation, transformation”.
He said “you’re talking of transformation in the executive you’re in, for almost four years, why not transform now. But because you want to contest you are saying transformation, transformation. Those of you talking about transforming ANLCA, are still the people leading us till today.”
He described himself as the most qualified to steer the ship of ANLCA Onne Seaport chapter having worked with the likes of Chief Ernest Elochukwu, the former National president, as welfare officer, worked with the incumbent ANLCA,National President Mr Emenike Nwokeoji as Treasurer .
Continuing, he noted that he was once the Presidential liaison officer Eastern Zone during the time of Prince Olayiwola Shittu.
He added, during Mr. Kingsley Offor’s tenure, “I was the vice chairman for two terms and also in charge of transportation.”
“I was equally the Advisory and Reconciliatory Committee Chairman during the same regime in which we recovered some containers to importers.
The records are there to speak for themselves.”
“And all the assignments given to me by Mr Kingsley Offor were carried to the later. We were transporting our members from Eleme Junction to Onne and we were taking care of our elders ” Okafor said.
Piqued by what he described as rot in ANLCA Onne Seaport chapter at the moment, Okafor said he will work with Nigeria Customs Service, other government agencies and every stakeholder at the Port to ensure seamless business operations at Onne.
His words “I will engage Customs and every other government agency at the Port to ensure you do your business without much problem. A situation whereby once you have Bill of laden, your heart will cut and temperature will rise must stop. But you must do the right thing. You must be compliant and adhere to Customs import and export procedures”
“I am coming on a rescue mission, am not desperate to be ANLCA chairman but desperate to see the system work again” Okafor insisted.
When asked why he stepped down during the last election Chief CC Okafor, (Anaegbuachalla na Awka), the Managing Director and CEO of Atlantic System Agencies licensed in 1996, said what happened during the last election was a rape of democracy.
“I didn’t step down on my own, I was forced to do that.” I was supposed to be the chairman of Onne Chapter of ANLCA but they came with their obnoxious and unconstitutional harmonization and used it to push me out. I didn’t renege my aspiration to serve my people but was asked to step down”
He added, “such will never happen again especially with the incumbent National president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji who has created an enabling environment for transparent elections in ANLCA.”
“If you say you’re popular, come out and test your popularity, and it is a mark of incivility to keep quiet in the face of bad things happening at ANLCA Onne Seaport chapter, we will confront every challenge through dialogue and negotiation and ANLCA will be put back on a sound footing and the Association will be taken back to what it used to be. We will revive and review our insurance policy and Carter for the welfare of our elders in ANLCA”
Speaking further, Okafor who described himself as the “Hard Truth” emphasized that members should be wary of some of those aspiring to lead them but have Bonded Terminals.
“I don’t have Bonded Terminal and do not intend to have one in the future, we should vote people who cannot be unduly influenced by the regulatory bodies at the Port because of their business interest but people who will secure your business and our collective interest and aspirations.We must come out indivisibly to fight and protect our profession”
he reiterated.
Speaking to our correspondent, Chief Ekene Oyeoka, who said he is the chairman Association of Anambra Freight Forwarders and Managing Director and CEO of Sealand Nig Ltd, described Chief Okafor as somebody with capacity to lead and accessible. He insisted that his integrity is second to none and also humble.
He added that his aspiration was in order as according to him, Okafor is a leader per excellence who will take ANLCA to its rightful place.
Bon Peters,
Port Harcourt, Rivers State
