Recent outcomes of a meeting between the Minister of Transport; Mr Rotimi Amaechi and freight forwarding associations as well representatives of the Nigeria Customs Service may pitch the Ministry against the Nigeria Customs Service.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that the minister held a meeting with the leadership of the five associations and the Registrar of Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN); Mr Mike Jukwe and Customs last week.
Our correspondent also confirmed that ANLCA was represented at the meeting by Mr. Pius Ujubonu, AREFFN was represented by Dr. Frank Ukor, NAFFAC by Mr C.A.T Agubama, while Council of Managing Directors was represented by Mr. Ben Ndee.
To give vent to recommendations and decisions taken at the meeting, the Ministry of Transport has officially communicated to the five registered freight forwarding associations.
In the letter which was obtained by our correspondent, the Ministry seemed poise for a showdown with the Customs, by insisting that registration with the CRFFN is a pre-condition for obtaining or renewing Customs licenses, an agelong contention between the CRFFN and the Nigeria Customs Service.
In the letter which was signed by one Ekawu P.O; a Deputy Director, the Minister directed that “the NCS will ensure that all licences to be issued or renewed henceforth will first be cleared by CRFFN. CRFFN will prior to issuance of the clearance for renewal or issuance of Customs license ensure full payment of annual subscription and Practitioners Operating Fees….
The minister also directed that “the representative of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is to inform their Management on the decisions reached at the meeting for their implementation of Section 19(1&2) of the CRFFN Act”.
Since the crux of the meeting is the collection of the controversial Practitioners' Operating Fee (POF), the letter also directed that the Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA) should “direct the Seaport Terminal Operators (STOAN} to comply with the Honourable Minister’s directive on payment of Practitioners’ Operating Fee by ensuring the POF payment of additional requirement for release of cargo from the ports”.
The minister also directed “that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will direct the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company PLC (NAHCO) and Sky aviation Handling Co. Ltd (SAHCOL) to comply with the Honourable Minister's directive on payment of Practitioners' Operating Fee”
Other decisions taken were: “that as from 1st January, 2O17 nobody will be allowed to access into the seaports without a security gate pass; that for anybody to gain access into the port, he/she must have proof of business at the port for that day or he/she is a staff of the port”.
Also, it was agreed that, “the Council For Regulation for Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) shall collect all monies for the Practitioners’ Operating Fee (POF) and warehoused by the Council and disbursed based on the formula recommended by the Committee”.
Shipping Position Daily also confirmed that, when decision on how proceeds of the POF would be shared was to be taken, it was put to vote and it was only the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) represented by Chief Increase Uche that voted against it.
Another decision taken was that, “ as a requirement for access into the ports, Freight Forwarders must possess the CRFFN Certificate or Identity card before obtaining the gate pass to operate at the seaports, airports and Land border stations.
It was also directed that, “ that no association will be allowed to collect dues within the seaport and airport facilities and Land Border Stations and that as from 1st January, 2O17 the use of biometric cords will be enforced to make for seamless and effective operation at the seaport”.
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