It has been 17 months since the Federal Government appointed an acting Registrar for the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), following the expiration of the tenure of Barr. Sam Nwakohu in January 2023. Since then, a substantive Registrar is yet to be appointed.
Findings by our correspondent revealed that the delay has sparked controversy and raised questions about the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the freight forwarding industry.
Recall that despite advertising and calling for interested and qualified candidates to apply for the position over a year ago, the appointment of a substantive Registrar has remained stalled. This has led to allegations that the current acting Registrar may be influencing her stay in that position
When approached for comments, some of those who had shown interest in vying for the position were reluctant to speak.
In a chat with our correspondent, Mr. Francis Omotosho, a former registrar of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Academy, who had expressed interest in the position, seemed evasive in his response.
“The government appointed her, so they know exactly what to do, if they feel that’s what they want to do, when the owner of the job did not bother then it means they want it so” he said.
On the other hand, Mr. Eugene Nweke, a former president of NAGAFF called for a more investigative approach to uncover the truth. He said “The acting Registrar did not appoint herself; she was appointed, so what I think you should do, by virtue of investigative journalism, is to do a small, short memo questionnaire to the honorable minister with regards to several issues for administration, then, do another memo to the honorable minister, what are his plans for the sector, then, the third one, the immediate vice chairman and the elected members of CRFFN, get one or two of them to ask what is the way forward. Because their own time is also going to two years, inevitably, sometime in June or there about their own two years will expire, so you need to ask the question.”
Meanwhile, a Panel of Inquiry set up by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Transportation has commenced investigations into a series of petitions and complaints lodged against CRFFN.
In a letter addressed to the Acting Registrar of CRFFN, dated 13th May 2024, the Ministry directed that the pioneer Registrar of the Council, Mike Jukwe, should be summoned alongside the five accredited freight forwarding associations, including the African Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON).
The letter, signed by Mukhtar Iliyasu Umar, Director of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement of the Ministry, who is Chairman of the Panel, stated that the Panel has commenced its assignment in line with the Terms of Reference (TOR).
The Panel is scheduled to engage with the leadership of the Council from 15th to 17th May 2024 and requests that the Council arrange a meeting with the pioneer Registrar, all heads of departments/units, the Deputy Director of Finance and Accounts, and the leadership of the five accredited associations, including APFFLON.
Furthermore, the Panel may require some information/documents from the Council for examination. The development is seen as a move by the government to address the lingering controversy and ensure transparency in the Council’s operations.
Also in a recent chat with our correspondent, the CRFFN Governing Council members have called for the unbundling of the council amidst lingering face-off.
This is in response to perceived neglect and lack of representation; the ousted governing Council members threatened to halt the collection of the Practitioners’ Operating Fees (POF) by the Council, unless their demands are met
A member of the dissolved CRFFN Governing Council, Chief Increase Uche had expressed frustration over the council’s inclusion in the dissolution of government boards, emphasizing that CRFFN is a professional council distinct from government-appointed boards and therefore should not have been affected by the government’s policy.
Uche highlighted the adverse effect of the dissolution on the development of freight forwarding policies and industry professionalism. He further asserted that the council, as a professional body, should not rely on government funding, citing the Oronsanye’s report which recommends that professional bodies generate their revenue independently.
The visibly aggrieved Council member called for a clarification of CRFFN’s status. He emphasized the importance of unbundling the council to allow for independent administration and governance.
