Customs agents sack exco members over expired tenure, appoint new leadership

Abiola Seun Clearing agents operating at the nation’s seaports, on Wednesday, announced the dissolution of the association’s National Executive Committee (NECOM), saying their tenure has expired.The association under the aegis of the Association of Nigerian Licenced Customs Agents (ANLCA), said the tenure of the dissolved executive members expired since 16th April, 2022.Speaking at the association’s secretariat, the Board of Trustees chairman, Taiwo Mustapha, however announced an interim management team led by Pius Ujubonu.According to Mustapha, the tenure of the dissolved executive committee of the association expired on the 16th of April, 2022 and have, therefore, created vacuum in the association leadership.He said, “we have been on this for the last four years and it’s pathetic that we have stayed so long on it.

” From today, I want to say on behalf of board members, that the association shall be well. Whatever happen to the association lies with the BoT.

“We decide to take it easy going through all peaceful moves for peace to return to ANLCA but to no avail.”“The climax of it was when the secretariat was locked for five weeks. We spoke and we met with the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) and the Commissioner of Police.

“The CP appointed the Area commander to midwife a truce and we are prepared for it, infact, we are ready to shift ground for a win win but they reneged from their side.“Now, i have pronounced that the National Executive Council of the association has remained dissolved and the Owerri convention where the association’s constitution was purportedly amended remain null and void.“The BoT is empowered to run the association for six months but we will create an interim committee for one months or as at when time permits so that they can conduct election for new executive.”The interim executive as announced by the BoT chairman are, Pius Ujobonu as acting president; Jamiu Adeyinka as acting Vice president and Joe Sanni as acting secretary.Others are, “Francis Ituah as acting publicity Secretary; Waheed Gbadamosi acting Financial Secretary and Alhaji Usman as the acting Treasurer of the association.In his acceptance speech, the acting President of ANLCA, Pius Ujubonu, promised to steer the affairs of the association with fairness and equity.He said, “It’s been years we have been battling this tenure elongation issue. The constitution says four years for national executives and three years for chapter executives, but the Tony Iju-led NECOM refused to vacate office after their tenure lapsed in April.“What is happening today is a watershed and I can assure all members of ANLCA that it’s a new dawn.

“We will run and manage the affairs of the association with transparency and fairness.

“Gone are the days when the association will be put under lock and keys for weeks. All ANLCA members are enjoined to, henceforth, come to the National Secretariat of the association. The building belongs to all of us. It’s not the property of any single individual.”