Anxiety As NAGAFF, IFFN, Others Tackle CRFFN

Alleging breach of its Act  and failure to accord due respect to them, freight forwarding associations and some concerned stakeholders are spoiling for a war with the Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).
Leading the pack of those who are kicking against the Council are, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), the Institute of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (IFFN), as well as the Freight Forwarders Academy of Nigeria (FFAN).
Shipping Position Weekly confirmed last week that the current crisis is not unconnected with the recent pronouncement by the CRFFN at a recent press conference where it disclosed that it was already making plans to inaugurate a Nigerian Institute of Freight Forwarders “for individuals engaged in art and practice of freight forwarding” as a part of its plans for the remaining part of 2009 and 2010. Speaking at the council’s first media interaction since its inauguration in August 2008, its chairman, Mr Tony Nwabunike also disclosed that CRFFN also has plans to evolve a comprehensive education and training programme for practitioners in addition to many programmes. 
However, industry sources confirmed to Shipping Position Weekly that some freight forwarders saw the plans to establish an institute as a negation of the CRFFN Act and that meetings actually held to ensure that the plan never materialize.
It was confirmed that IFFN which is the foremost freight forwarding training institution actually held an emergency meeting to appraise the situation.
Similarly, the leadership of NAGAFF is said to be uncomfortable with some development at the CRFFN, especially as it relates to the courtesy and recognition which it expects to be receiving form the leadership of CRFFN.     
But, when contacted last weekend, president of IFFN, Mr Zebulon Ikokide told our correspondent that there is nothing serious about it and that at least CRFFN has not established any training institution.
When asked if it is legal for CRFFN to be involved in setting up of schools, he refused to comment, but added that CRFFN should use existing institutions for its training needs. But, registrar Freight Forwarders Academy, Mazi Joseph Anabaraonye pointedly told Shipping Position Weekly that CRFFN  should expect opposition if it wants to continue with the illegality.