…Charges them to work in line with FG’s policy direction
By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The Minister of Transportation, Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo has charged members of the Council Governing Board Nigerian Shippers Council to ensure to work in line with the policy direction of the Federal Government.
Sambo advised that their tenure should foster an economy that is robust, transparent, accountable and discharge their duties in line with international best practices.
According a statement by Eric Ojiekwe, Director Press and Public Relations, The minister made the charge on Wednesday in Abuja when he inaugurated the Governing Board Nigerian Shippers Council at the Ministry of Transportation Headquarters in Abuja.
Sambo reminded the board members that the Council is vested with “the responsibility of providing a forum for the protection of the interest of shippers on matters affecting the shipment of imports and exports to and from Nigeria as well as liaising with the appropriate arms of the Government of the Federation and other Organizations in assessing the stability and adequacy of existing services and make appropriate recommendations.”
The Minister, further, urged the Board members to work in line with the policy direction of the Federal Government while reminding them of their roles of engendering harmonious working relationship with the Management of the Council.
He expressed confidence that the Board would live up to the expectations of the government and called on members to deploy their expertise to promote prudence, transparency, accountability, equity and fairness in the discharge of your responsibilities, while admonishing them to be change agents by adhering to zero tolerance to corruption.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, said: ” you have your roles to support the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, but you are not part of the day to day running of the Council. At some later date, we will be having a retreat where your roles will be clearly spelt out. We are planning to do it with all our Boards so that we avoid conflicts. It has become important for me to stress this at every Board inauguration for agencies of the Ministry of Transportation to avoid stress.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of the newly constituted Board, Lawal Sama’aila Abdullhi thanked the Federal Government for giving them the opportunity to serve, assuring that the Board will deliver on its mandate and support the Management of Nigerian Shippers’ Council to succeed.
It was however observed by our reporter that there was no representative from the South East on the board of the Council.
Members of the Board include: Rufai Ahmed Akambi (Kwara), Usen Ekong Udoh (Akwa Ibom), Otunba Oluseyi Odutan (Ogun) and Violet Olaitan Williams (Lagos).
Others are Mohammed Allamin Kam-Salem (Borno), Emannuel Lyambee Jime (Benue) while the Chairman Lawal Sama’ila Abdullahi is from Kaduna State.
