As the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) is preparing for the collection of Practitioners Operations Fee (POF), the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has kicked against the collection, saying that it will lead to multiple taxation.
The National President of APFFLON, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite who said this in a statement h issued last week, also said that freight forwarders are already compelled to pay annual dues to the council.
He however advised that the council should take a second critical look at the implementation and collection of the POF in the nation’s ports and borders, adding that the economy is already tensed and business are struggling to survive.
Ogunojemite added that the duty of regulating freight forwarding industry should be done according to global best practices.
“We believe the duty to regulate an ever dynamic industry like ours should be done in accordance to global best practices, if we are truly sincere about the policy of Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria”, the group argued.
He nevertheless advised the CRFFN to embark on a national sensitization programme if the POF collection must be implemented.
“Even if it becomes imperative to implement the collection of POF, we advise the council to embark on a national sensitization campaign to enlighten the general public and freight forwarders in particular on the need for the collection and how the POF will be of benefit to them in the long run”, he advised.
“We advise the CRFFN to, not only regulate but also invest in the welfare of individual registered members of the Council by educating them in their chosen career and investing in their health and life insurance, and finally, the collection of the POF shouldn't be seen as an opportunity to criminally enrich personal purses or a cake to be shared among few on a round table”, he concluded.
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