By EKPO, ERIC
The leadership of the Council for the Regulation Of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) began a tour of all the accredited associations in a bid to woo them into collaboration for mutual survival in the face of the tough fiscal operating environment.
Consequently, CRFFN visited the National Association Of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) last week in Apapa, Lagos.
Speaking during the visit, the CRFFN Registrar/CEO, Mrs. Chinyere C. Uromta stressed that the aim of their visit was to strengthen relationship between the two bodies as well as elevate the standards of freight forwarding in Nigeria. In her words, “I wish to recall that the core mandate of the Council is to professionalize the freight forwarding sector by developing standards, providing education and training programs for freight forwarders”
She further narrated that the current administration under the leadership of senator Bola Tinubu is aware of the importance of this sector to the economy and national building and invariably understands how important core freight forwarders are to national growth, hence the creation of a full- fledged Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Representing the NAGAFF president Chief Emmanuel Ezisi, the Deputy National President, Simon Nwonu, expressed delight over the visit, as it will now grant his fellow members the opportunity to ask question about pressing issues.
Throwing some question towards the registrar, a member asked what could be the reason behind CRFFN not living up to expectation in freight forwarders training.
Reacting to the question, the CRFFN boss disclosed that CRFFN had brought FIATA trainers to train their staff which they in turn had trained a lot of freight forwarders and this has led to accreditation of 17 affiliated Institutes for learning.
Another member asking question, said: “The Minister of transport, when he came here said, they have been remitting money meant for freight forwarders to the CRFFN,,why is the payment of the Declarant Fee being delayed?”
Replying to the question, she said, the reason for this is partly due to wrong account details being submitted initially and some are third party account details which are not trusted. In her words “We will like to assure you that efforts are in place to commence payment of all outstanding and ensure, going forward, payment of this “gazetted” fee, would be paid as when due”
Another member asked, “Why build a training center in Abuja when the hub of business is in Lagos and Port Harcourt?”
Replying to the question, Mrs Uromta stated that NIFF is more or less a central training center, stressing that there are other accredited institutes in and around Lagos that stakeholders can have access to.
Another NAGAFF member, Mr. Igwe Kingsley, however advised that CRFFN should undertake a review of their educational curriculum as it appears that freight forwarders were never in the picture. He stressed that, it was probably made to generate revenue and that the executives of companies were being targeted and at the end of the day, the curriculum appears more academic than professional. He also appealed that CRFFN provide free training for freight forwarders for six months as this would attract forwarders to CRFFN and bring practitioners close.
Speaking on, he advice the council to think about owning a working website as well as updating it on a regular basis, to facilitate communication and access to information.
Another member also advised CRFFN to issue identity cards to its registered members which could serve as a port pass and can be used to access every port in the country.
In reference to all the recommendations, the CRFFN CEO averred that majority of the issues raised has been discussed within the council and that various committees had been set up to handle most of these issues and that implementation are in the pipeline.
