‘Why Nigerian
importers prefer Cotonou ports’
By Evelyn Oragwuncha
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
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•Okafor
Photo: Sun News Publishing |
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Could you tell us about yourself?
My name is Deacon Ugochukwu Cosmas Okafor. I am from Anambra
State, precisely Umudim in Nnewi.
How did you start this business?
I went into this business with a vision. God gave me the vision
when I was in Kaduna about 12 years ago. Most people come
into business without vision probably because they have seen
most people make their money through that business, they move
ahead without seeking God’s vision. God has a vision
for everyone in this world, I followed his vision for me and
it’s been successful through His grace.
How is freight forwarding business doing in Nigeria?
Maritime business is a very lucrative business, all you need
is to be honest with your clients and tell them the basic
principles of the business. All you need do is collect the
documents (known as bill of lading) from your clients and
proceed to the customs and do the necessary things. At times,
most agents or agencies inside the ports give us problems
because most of them are not learned enough to understand
the policies of the industry, some don’t even know anything
about tariffs and this generates alot of argument and by so
doing, they waste your time. This is why there is always delay
in the clearing of some containers. We appeal to the Federal
Government to give adequate training to those working in the
port for them to have a good knowledge of what they are doing,
thus making our interacting with them easier and the job faster.
How have government policies affected your business?
The policies in our industry are okay. It has not affected
me in any manner. We have inspection agents who check the
value of goods that are being imported based on the importer’s
invoice. After assessment, they issue the Risk Assessment
Report (RAR) which determines the duty that is being paid
by the importer based on a particular consignment. After this,
we move to the bank where the necessary documents will be
given for us to proceed with the clearing. So, the policies
are okay for they will tackle smuggling outside the country.
Why do Nigerians import through Cotonou Port?
In Nigerian ports, there is so much delay in the clearance
of goods. Although under normal circumstances goods are supposed
to be cleared within 48 hours, the reverse is the case. This
development is disturbing to importers who wait indefinitely
for their goods to be cleared. Most of them obtain loans from
the banks to import goods and when the goods are not cleared
on time, it affects the repayment of the loans hence they
prefer to import through Cotonou where the process of clearing
goods is not cumbersome. Then you go for your RAR, make your
assessment, pay your duty and before you know it, the goods
are already in the warehouse of your clients.
Who are your clients?
I have a lot of people I am working for. Some of them are
Coscharis Motors Ltd., F. N. Hallmark Nig. Ltd., Dafa Int.
Ltd., Anomax Nig. Ltd, Jenon Investment Ltd, Venus Nig. Ltd
and Baishem Nig. Ltd. and so on and they have never regretted
it.
How do you people cope with the increase in tariffs?
The tariffs are in place basically to hamper the job. Some
were increased while others were reduced. The ones that were
increased like those on batteries and keys were to reduce
their importation so that the indigenous companies and manufacturers
in the country could be encouraged.
What is your vision and mission for your company?
My vision for O. U. Cosmas International Limited is to ensure
that honesty and steadfastness are enthroned so that those
Iam working for are satisfied with our services. Most companies
have folded up because of dishonesty. My mission is to take
the company to a higher level.
From your own business perspective, how would you define marketing?
Marketing is about identifying what your customers want and
doing everything possible to satisfy their needs. I have gone
extra mile in satisfying them so that they will always come
back whenever the need arises.
How do you market yourself to your clients?
Just this morning, someone I never knew called me to come
and collect papers for the clearance of his goods. It does
not take anything to attract a customer or clients in any
manner except your being honest and fast with your job. We
have our Lorries for the carriages of our consignments. All
we do is to make sure we satisfy our customers, deliver goods
on time to avoid unnecessary argument. Good product, they
say, markets itself and by God’s grace, they keep coming
back and also telling others about us. We have never had a
better yesterday.
What are the risks and challenges faced in this business?
There is no business that has no challenge. In this industry,
our challenges are times when your container arrives in the
terminal especially in Apapa, we have alot of congestion.
So, by the time they start allocating the containers to their
different terminals, it takes time and before you know it,
3, 4-5 days are gone. Just like the one I have that was supposed
to have been delivered but which has not been delivered up
till now. These are some of the challenges. When 2-3 ships
arrive at the same time, the containers are block stacked
and it takes up to one week to dig them before allocating
to terminals.
What are you people doing to flush out the bad eggs in the
industry?
We really have bad eggs in this industry because of the soaring
rate of unemployment in the country. There is no organisation
without bad eggs. Most people not even licensed to operate,
they just dabble into it and at the end, their clients suffer.
Some of them create more problems for you when asked to clear
a container. They tell all sorts of stories thus frustrating
their clients. We advise clients to take time to find out
who they are dealing with before giving out jobs to agents
and ensure they are licensed to operate.
How would you define a brand?
A brand is an idea in the mind of the consumer. A brand has
its personality, character, credentials known by its loyal
consumers and stakeholders in the market. It is equally known
as an identity given to a product by the producer or manufacturer
with the intention of making it a household name.
How important is marketing in life?
Marketing is very important and very essential in life because
without marketing, people out there and your customers will
not know what you do and the services you render. You must
market yourself, your product, good and services for people
to know you and what you do, also make sure they get value
for their money after the use of the products.
How did you come about the name O.U. Cosmas International?
O. U. Cosmas is a vision God gave me 12 years ago. It is a
kind of inspiration given to me by God. I am a twin by birth
but I lost my twin brother 12 years ago, then the company’s
name was Cosmatins, a combination of our names. After he died,
I decided to have my own name. O for Okafor, U for Ugochukwu
and Cosmas Nigeria Ltd so that God can speak to you personally,
God is mindful of names and these names are very important.
God gave me the vision and since then, it’s been success
all round.
Why do some agents short pay duties due to a consignment?
Short payment of duties depends on the agreement you have
with your clients. Most clients find it difficult to go through
the tariffs, this does not mean that we encourage short payment
but when it is made, it means that the customs have added
an additional duty for you to pay. Some agents short pay deliberately
to make more profit out of the job when they undercharge their
clients for the clearing of their consignments.
How do you cope with touts in the Port?
Touts are unqualified agents who hang around in the ports
to dupe clients. Some measures have been taken to put a stop
to it. Those who come into the port through the sea with ferries
and boats are hoodlums who come to vandalize people cars and
most times they do it in collaboration with the ports security
agents. Initially, before you enter into the port through
the gate, you must have an I. D. card that shows your name
and the company you represent but the reverse is the case
now, so we ask the Federal Government and those in authority
to please do something fast before the situation gets out
of hand.
If your company were to be a human, how would you describe
it?
I would describe it as an honest person who derives joy by
making his clients and people around him happy.
What advice do you have for young ones who wish to come into
this industry?
My advice to them is to have a vision. Not all that read medicine
are doctors. You have to be focused, determined, honest and
straightforward. Love what you do with passion, though you
may encounter some challenges at the beginning but keep moving
because there is always light at the end of the tunnel. I
have seen a garri seller who trained all her children to the
university level and has a comfortable accommodation, with
a good car. It is all about following your vision and being
determined to succeed.
What lessons have you learnt on this job?
I have learnt alot of lessons in this maritime business but
the most fundamental one is patience. Anytime I am given a
job to do, I ensure that the job is delivered promptly.
I have also learnt to be focused, have endurance and be determined
to succeed. |
