The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), has passed a note of warning to the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) over what it called incessant arrest of containers and other cargoes exiting the seaports to their final destination.
The association said yesterday that its action was based on alarms that have raised by freight forwarders and customs licensed agents, on indiscriminate arrest of consignment along the road, the association however threatened that it would put a stop to the development.
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), has passed a note of warning to the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) over what it called incessant arrest of containers and other cargoes exiting the seaports to their final destination.
The association said yesterday that its action was based on alarms that have raised by freight forwarders and customs licensed agents, on indiscriminate arrest of consignment along the road, the association however threatened that it would put a stop to the development.
Addressing journalists in Lagos yesterday, Founder of NAGAFF; Dr. Boniface Aniebonam said that the actions of SON on these containers poses serious distraction to port operation.
Aniebonam urged SON to respect the rules of engagement in freight forwarding operation pointing, out that NAGAFF is playing the role on an advocate in ensuring that the practice of arresting containers stops.
According to him, "I am aware that the law establishing the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is a bit weak, I am also aware that they are at the National Assembly to see how their laws can match their operating environment, but the point here is that there is the need for them to respect of rules of engagement and follow the laws".
He also urged freight forwarders to visit the agency's website to know more about functions and operation of SON.
Speaking further the NAGAFF founder reiterated that the agency's job is more on warehousing and factories checks, than port operations and mounting of checkpoints on the roads.
According to him, section 23 of SON Act , empowers the agency's council to make rules and regulations but must not be inconsistent with the Act, saying that, "whatever they want to do must be in the frame work of the act establishing it".
Aniebonam noted that plans are ongoing to draw the attention of the director general of SON; Dr. Joseph Odumodu to the need for his officers to follow the rules of engagement.
He pointed out that for the nation to be transformed; there is the need to respect the laws of the land, noting that as a government agency, SON has to lead by example.
Aniebonam said SON should have a cordial relationship with customs about interception of containers and cargoes rather than lay siege on the roads.
He also stressed that the agency is not a revenue generating organisation of government; , even as he further charged SON officials to go to warehouses and factories rather lay ambush on cargoes and other consignments along the roads.
The NAGAFF founder added that, "If we don't respect or obey the laws of our land, then we must be acting as if we are Boko Haram because that group is an outlaw that is not loyal to the government".
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