Aniebonam implores CGC Adeniyi to probe missing NAGAFF auction buses
Maureen Aguta
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has appealed to the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, to intervene in the alleged non-release of eight buses allocated to the association through the Customs auction process.
The buses, according to NAGAFF founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, were acquired to support the operations of the NAGAFF Academy, particularly the transportation of students and lecturers as well as logistics for training programmes.
Aniebonam expressed concern that despite the association completing payment and fulfilling the necessary documentation and processing, it had been unable to take physical possession of any of the eight vehicles.
He disclosed that NAGAFF had initially applied for 41 vehicles for use by its various formations across the country, including its chapters in Kebbi, Sokoto and other locations, but was eventually allocated only eight buses.
The association accepted the allocation, made the required payments and proceeded with the necessary procedures, only to discover that the vehicles could not be found at the ports.
“We applied for 41 vehicles, cutting across chapters, Kebbi, Sokoto and all others. We were given eight. That eight, we paid, we processed, we got to the port, but we could not get to see even one physically,” Aniebonam said.
He described the situation as unacceptable and urged the Customs management to investigate what happened to the auctioned vehicles and identify those responsible for the failure to deliver them.
According to him, the development has left NAGAFF’s funds tied up in vehicles it has neither taken possession of nor been able to deploy for the purpose for which they were acquired.
“Right now, we have paid and our money is stuck. If we knew, we wouldn’t have applied in the first instance and continued to struggle in our usual manner,” he said.
Aniebonam stressed that the buses were not intended for the personal use of NAGAFF officials but were specifically acquired to strengthen the NAGAFF Academy and improve the training environment for young freight forwarders.
He said the vehicles would be used to transport students and lecturers, facilitate practical training and provide logistics support for academic and other activities of the academy.
The NAGAFF founder therefore urged Adeniyi to personally examine the circumstances surrounding the matter and facilitate a resolution.
“NAGAFF and Customs are very close, responsible partners dating back to 1999. It is our hope and belief that CGC Adeniyi shall take interest personally to know what happened,” he said.
Aniebonam further linked the development to the broader reform agenda of the Customs Service, arguing that effective reforms must be supported by investment in human capacity and professional education.
He said strengthening the NAGAFF Academy would contribute to the development of competent freight forwarders capable of operating effectively within the emerging Customs environment.
“If Adeniyi doesn’t participate to assist and educate these young freight forwarders, all his reforms may be like building a castle on sand,” he said.
He called on the Customs management and other relevant stakeholders to urgently establish the whereabouts of the eight auctioned buses and facilitate their release or otherwise resolve the financial and administrative issues surrounding the transaction.
Aniebonam maintained that resolving the matter would not only protect NAGAFF’s investment but also strengthen the academy’s capacity to train the next generation of freight forwarding professionals.