The Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, CRFFN Barrister Samuel Nwakohu has commended the strides and efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to entrench sanity in the nations Ports in order to guarantee a friendly and healthy business environment by reducing the number of Customs units at ports.
He made the commendation recently in his office in Lagos in response to the directive of the Comptroller General of Customs Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) that led to the immediate withdrawal from Western Ports, some customs taskforces and special team recently deployed from Abuja to inspect 3rdparty cargo at the Ports whose acts were said to have led to delays in cargo clearance leading to exorbitant payment of demurrage by Freight Forwarding Agents.
The CRFFN boss therefore applauded the collaborative efforts of the Command with that of the Council which he said led to the withdrawals adding that the move would enhance efficient service delivery in the Ports and in line with the Presidential order of Ease- of doing-Business.
Recall that a fortnight ago, some aggrieved and Group of Concerned Freight Forwarders had in a release issueda 72 hour ultimatum to the Federal Government to address the challenges militating against cargo clearance or else they will shut down the Western Ports, which informed the timely intervention of CRFFN in a meeting with the Group urging them to stay action on their proposed strike with the assurance of addressing the challenges with the appropriate quarters within 14 working days.
The Group had earlier lamented over the citing of multiple customs check points by different formations of the Nigeria Customs service at the nation seaports leading to delays in cargo clearance and exorbitant payment of demurrage.
The Council Boss, Nwakohu, nevertheless commended the Pragmatic Leadership of the CRFFN Governing Council in their efforts to resolving issues affecting the Council.
He further expressed his appreciation to the Freight Practitioners for their patience and re-affirmed the readiness of the CRFFN as the Practitioners Regulatory body in advancement of the course of Freight Forwarding profession in the country and urged them to make the Council their first point of call with their concerns in the course of their duties.
