The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), has encouraged all freight forwarders, Nigerian importers and NAGAFF members in particular to always observe simple trade regulations of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), so as to support the organization in its efforts to ensure quality standard of imported products.
In a press statement signed by th
e founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam stated that as patriotic citizens of Nigeria, the minimum requirement expected of freight forwarders is to conform with the new “change” philosophy of the current government in Nigeria, adding that the earlier they embrace change and acquainted themselves with the values of the rule of engagement the more secured their investments.
According to him, “For us at NAGAFF, we shall continue to encourage SON to increase its awareness campaign on matters of quality assurance and control over SONCAP regime in Nigeria. At the same time we urge SON to continue to evolve an approach that shall stop the idea of arresting containers on our
city high ways.”
Aniebonam lamented that it is most unfortunate that through the activities of some unpatriotic elements, freight forwarders have continued to enrich other nations without getting value for money, warning that as a patriotic Association it will not provide cover for any of its members in the event of disobedience to rules and regulations guiding Nigerian international trade.
In the same vein, the NAGAFF high command urged all its members to take it as a professional responsibility to ensure that all practitioners adhere to proper documentation in obtaining of product and SONCAP Certificates for each product imported and cleared out of Customs control in all approved entry points of the seaports, airports and border stations.
He appeal that Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) should enter into strategic cooperation with SON with a view to enlightening all concerned on matters of quality assurances and control of substandard and fake products into Nigeria, stressing that it is a civic and patriotic duty upon all freight forwarders, including himself, to work with SON to save lives and properties of the Nigerian people by ensuring standard of products.
speaking further, Aniebonam said, “In the same vein we shall continue to appeal to SON to risk-manage import transactions using the frame work of corrective measures to lessen the burden of waste
