There is uncertainty and confusion about the commencement of collection of the controversial Practitioners Operations Fees (POF) on August 1, by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).
The Minister of Transportation; Mr Rotimi Amaechi had in a letter directed that the collection should commence on the date. He also directed that preparations should commence for elections into the CRFFN governing council. The ministry also released time table for the elections.
But, feelers from all the parties involved reveal that the date may yet be another wrong step taken by the Ministry in its efforts to stabilise the CRFFN.
While the CRFFN is keeping mute over arrangements for collection, the five registered freight forwarding associations are also speaking discordant tunes. While majority expressed readiness for the collection, only one is against it.
Registrar of the CRFFN, Mr. Mike Jukwe told one of our correspondents last week that, “CRFFN is a government agency and the government has asked us to begin collection of POF and that is exactly what we are going to do”.
Even though he was evasive when asked for details, he nevertheless betrayed the fact that the Council is also not sure if the August 1 date is sacrosanct.
“All I can say is that the Minister has given a directive to start collection and we are working in line with the directive”.
When told that there is no modality as yet for collection other than the letter from the minister, he said we should “wait and see”.
On his part, President of Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN); Dr. Frank Ukor assured of the group’s readiness for the collection.
Dr. Ukor said that all his members have been sensitized about the POF collection and that they are all ready to comply.
He said "CRFFN has communicated to us in a letter that "the collection is commencing on 1st of August. Other than the letter they wrote us about the election and the commencement of POF we have not heard anything again"
"They have given us the time table, but no conditions for the elections have been given so far"
"The minister has given the NPA and the terminal operators the powers to input the POF in their bill from 1st of August. So as from Tuesday, if you are raising your debit note, it would be included and you have to pay"
On his part, President of National Association of Freight Forwarders and Air Cargo Consolidators (NAFFAC); Chief Thomas Agubamah said that his members are ready for the take-take-off of the POF collection.
"NAFFAC members have no objection to collection of POF by CRFFN. It is our view that any consequential issues over the 35% share due to the declarant can be quietly resolved whereby associations will also benefit"
Asked if there has been further communication between CRFFN and NAFFAC, he said "No, but we have taken note of the notice issued by the FMOT early this month".
Similarly, President of the National Association of the Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Chief Increase Uche, has expressed the association’s readiness for the collection.
The NAGAFF President however told our correspondent that the association is waiting for further directives from the CRFFN on the modalities.
“We are waiting for modalities from CRFFN; we are yet to get any directive from them. So we are very prepared anytime they are ready, those of our members who have cargoes should pay. We are not countering the government’s decision on POF collection.
Meanwhile, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has kept mum on the imminent collection. When he was contacted by Shipping Position Daily correspondent at the weekend, National President of ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu said he has no comment on the matter.
Discussion about this post