PORT CONGESTION: NWABUNIKE, CRFF Chair thanks FG, counsels importers, agents

As efforts to decongest  Lagos ports get underway, the chairman, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding (CRFF), Hon. Tony Nwabunike expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the concession that has been granted owners of containers which had been trapped in the ports.
Government had given owners of the contentious containers a 60-day grace period within which they should come forward, pay duty and the 20 per cent penalty, after which, containers that are not cleared would be forfeited to the government.
But, reacting to the development, the CRFF chairman told Shipping Position Weekly that as a body, the CRFF whose members are the ones that are involved in the business of clearing of imported consignments in the ports is appreciative of government’s gesture.
He also advised freight forwarders to take maximum advantage of the concession and comply with the guidelines that have already been set out by the task force on port decongestion.
Nwabunike told freight forwarders not to be scared by the presence of security agents; especially the dreaded Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stressing that their presence should not be a hindrance.
“Do not be worried about their presence, the CRFF will protect freight forwarders”, he assured even as he admonished agents to abide by the guidelines and do the right thing
In apparent reference to the age – long argument that importers (and not license customs agents) are to be held liable for any discrepancies that may be discovered in the process of cargo examination and delivery, the Council chairman disclosed that his group will soon commence sensitisation tour to importers on the need to embrace integrity and best practices and obey import guidelines.
 “We will also soon start consultations with freight forwarders and importers on certain aspects of our mandate”, he stressed just as he expressed confidence in the on going port decongestion efforts.