Mystery of Eight Auction Buses: NAGAFF Seeks CG Adeniyi’s Intervention
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has called on the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to intervene in the mystery surrounding eight buses allocated to the association through the Nigeria Customs Service auction process but which could not be found for collection after payment and documentation had been completed.
The Founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, made the appeal while expressing concern over the association’s inability to take delivery of the buses, which were intended to support training, transportation and other operational needs of students and lecturers at the NAGAFF Academy.
Aniebonam explained that NAGAFF had initially applied for 41 vehicles to serve its various formations across the country, including chapters in Kebbi and Sokoto States, but was eventually allocated eight buses.
He said the association accepted the allocation, paid for the vehicles and completed all necessary processing, only to arrive at the port and discover that none of the eight buses could be physically located.
“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.
The NAGAFF Founder described the situation as an unfortunate experience, noting that funds had already been committed to the auctioned buses, leaving the association concerned about the fate of both its money and the allocated vehicles.
“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 therefore appealed to the Customs boss to personally investigate the circumstances surrounding the missing buses and facilitate a resolution of the matter.
According to him, the buses were not meant for the personal use of NAGAFF officials or members but were intended to strengthen the capacity of the NAGAFF Academy, particularly in transporting students and lecturers, supporting training activities and providing other necessary logistics.
He stressed that NAGAFF and the Nigeria Customs Service have maintained a long-standing and cordial relationship dating back to 1999, expressing confidence that Adeniyi would take a personal interest in uncovering what happened to the vehicles.
“NAGAFF and Customs are very close and responsible partners, dating back to 1999. It is our hope and belief that CGC Adeniyi shall personally take interest to know what happened,” he stated.
Aniebonam also linked support for the NAGAFF Academy to the success of ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Customs Service, arguing that the training and education of young freight forwarders are critical to building the human capacity required to sustain reforms in the sector.
He maintained that investing in the development of emerging freight forwarders would ultimately benefit the Customs Service and the wider maritime industry.
“If Adeniyi does not participate to assist and educate these young freight forwarders, all his reforms may be like building a castle on a sheet of sand,” Aniebonam insisted.
He urged the Customs management to urgently examine the circumstances surrounding the disappearance or non-availability of the eight auction buses and work with relevant stakeholders to resolve the matter.
Aniebonam maintained that a timely intervention and release of the vehicles would not only address NAGAFF’s concerns but also enhance the NAGAFF Academy’s capacity to train and prepare the next generation of freight forwarders for the evolving demands of the Customs and maritime sectors.