… Promises Stakeholder Engagement to see more Vessels Call at Rivers Port
By Bon Peters
As the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) 2024 Elections draw near, a chieftain of the association and incumbent Vice Chairman of the Area 1, Port Harcourt Port Chapter, Mazi Emmanuel Ebere Onwuka, has declared his intention to run for the chapter’s chairmanship position.
Mazi Onwuka, who made this known this to newsmen in his office Wednesday, added that as a thorough-bred and someone who is knowledgeable in the clearing and forwarding business, he is well qualified to take ANLCA to the next level.
Onwuka who noted that he has served the association in various capacities such as acting financial secretary, chapter secretary and vice chairman, added that he has been involved in many committees, especially reconciliation committee at various times where he participated actively in meaningful discussions with Customs, police and other government agencies concerning the members’ welfare and their business.
On how he would attract more vessels to call at the Port Harcourt Port, Onwuka emphasized that the issue of vessels calling at the port has been a serious challenge.
He added that at a time a shipping line, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) was almost pulling out of Area 1 but with collaboration and robust synergy with major stakeholders in the industry, they were able to convince MSC to stay.
Throwing more light, he reiterated that “at a time, MSC Shipping Line was almost pulling out from this Port, but with our intervention, we were able to still keep it operational here.
“We even went to Nnewi with Ibeto and that trip is gradually yielding results. We have equally approached Pacific International Lines, (PIL) Shipping Company and in no distant time, PIL will start bringing their vessels to Port Harcourt Port,” Onwuka added.
Emphasizing that, “Once elected, with the approval of our National President we will engage other shipping companies to call at Area. Our discussion with PIL will soon yield results”
In the area of experience, he disclosed that while growing up in the business as a Customs broker, he has been working at this port.
He said “see my license is about 30 years old and most of these people you are seeing here, passed through my tutelage. In short, my office is like a school to most of them. I have helped in training some people who want to learn the profession. And for you to do well, you must be able to know your classification, documentation, examination, delivery among others.”
He said his administration would revive the moribund ANLCA insurance policy, engage in training and re-training of members, ensure their welfare and more importantly maintain a healthy working relationship with the Nigeria Customs Service.
“I’m a due process man and my office is here at this port. If I were a dubious man, the government agencies would have kicked me out, but I am a compliant man and I follow due process.”
On his motivation to run, Mazi Onwuka, the Managing Director /CEO of Onwuka Freight Forwarders Nig Ltd, said he has been in the business for over thirty years and his integrity, sagacity, uprightness acceptability and the quest for purposeful leadership are some of the qualities he has, insisting he would run an open door policy and inclusive administration if he eventually emerges as the chairman, ANLCA Area1, chapter Port Harcourt Port.
