The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has alleged that the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) is being mismanaged under the watch of minister of transportation; Mr Rotimi Amaechi.
The NAGAFF, in a strongly-worded letter to the minister and signed by its National President, Increase Uche, advised the minister to direct the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) to withdraw its court case against the collection of the Practitioners Operations Fee (POF), saying that this is a major clog in the wheel of the Council.
The association raised major concerns about the seeming inability of the minister to give direction in the administration of the CRFFN.
In the letter, a copy of which was sent to Shipping Position Daily, the association noted that the intention of the CRFFN to regulate and control freight forwarding practitioners and position it for professionalism may be under serious threat.
The association said it is unacceptable and regrettable that after the Minister's approval for the collection of POF to start by August 1, 2017, the collection has not started effectively.
In the letter , the association lamented that: "We at NAGAFF, in view of our sacrifices to bring about this CRFFN, are concerned over the avoidable confusion in mismanagement and misapplication of the CRFFN Act, under your supervision"
"At the expiration of the first Council, all its powers revert to you as the Honorable Minister of Transportation with the mandate under Section 5 of the CRFFN Act. The authority of the Minister to give directions and character to the Council with or without the Board is clearly defined, because nature abhors vacuum and governance"
"We are aware that the only difference between the government and other bodies is the power of coercion the Government has to enforce its laws and regulations which is vested only in it (Government) by all laws. However, it sounds strange that this is not being put to use to enforce this directive to commence the collection of POF, more so as it has to do with Government revenue, which we know government doesn't joke with"
"It is on record that the CRFFN by the powers conferred on it registered five associations with their members. And it is on record that four out of these Associations are in full support of the collection of POF with only one against".
It added that, "ANLCA should be advised to withdraw their objection in court to the POF payment and collection. Set up Electoral Committee and guidelines for the purpose of the upcoming election".
NAGAFF also said that the Registrar of the Council; Mr Mike Jukwe should be more committed and proactive in dealing with issues that concern the Council.
According to the statement, Jukwe should be advised to completely detach himself from the overbearing influence of the first Council members that employed him, because some members of the Council are giving him ill advice based on selfish interest on how he should run the Council.
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