Oluyinka Onigbinde
Following delays in conducting elections into the governing board of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), freight forwarders have alleged deliberate manipulations of the process by the Ministry of Transportation.
The freight forwarders have also lamented the continuous delay in conducting election into the governing council, while stating that there are plans to hijack the Council by the government to dictate what goes on in the council.
In a chat with our correspondent, the President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA); Mr Tony Nwabunike alleged that the Governing Council of CRFFN has been strangulated by the Federal Government via the Ministry of Transportation.
He stated that the agitation of freight forwarders is to make the council independent of the government, adding that with that the CRFFN will work more effectively if this is achieved.
He said if CRFFN is allowed some degree of autonomy, it would play the crucial role it is expected to play in the maritime sector.
“The Governing Council of CRFFN has been strangulated by the federal government via the Ministry of Transportation. What we have been agitating for is that the agency is a bit independent from the government. We believe that this would make the Council work effectively. However, all indications show that the government’s interest is so much that they want to dictate things.
“I can assure you that if CRFFN is allowed some degree of autonomy, it would find its way and play a crucial role in the sector.
“Similarly, for CRFFN to work effectively, they need to work in line with their registered freight forwarders and Customs brokers’ associations. The Council can’t work in isolation of these groups. If they partner with the freight forwarding groups, they would achieve their mandate. We can solve the problems of CRFFN if we work together” he said.
Speaking also, a freight forwarder, Mr Chidi Anthony Opara, noted that the delay in the governing council election could be for selfish manipulations, stating that without consultation, the Ministry empanelled an election committee.
He alleged that very reliable sources have quoted the Minister of boasting that he would appoint the Chairman and Vice-chairman of the incoming Governing Council and that anyone who doesn’t like that can go to court and also boasted that he would have left as Minister of Transportation by the time the case would even be called up for hearing.
In his words: “I do not know the reason for the delay, but if one has been following the Minister of Transportation’s method, one would have no option than to conclude that selfish manipulations are going on or about to go on. First, the Minister, without consultation empanelled an election committee
“Second, the Minister, instead of following the spirit and letter of the CRFFN Act as regards CRFFN Governing Council election, started hobnobbing with the so-called accredited associations on their funny 6:6:1:1 sharing formula”.
“Third, when some vocal stakeholders kicked against this sharing formula, the Minister retreated and later surfaced to schedule a meeting with the real contestants, now labelled ‘independent candidates’. The rest is now history.
“Fourth, very reliable sources have quoted the Minister of boasting that he would appoint the Chairman and Vice-chairman of the incoming Governing Council and that anyone who doesn’t like that can go to court and also boasted that he would have left as Minister of Transportation by the time the case would even be called up for hearing” he said.
He added that considering the above, sincere and discerning industry observers and stakeholders have no choice than to conclude that selfish manipulations are going on.
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Also speaking with our correspondent, Chairman 100% Compliance Committee of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF); Alhaji Tanko Ibrahim informed that the division among the freight forwarding associations has given room for the government to dictate and to manipulate things in the governing council of the CRFFN.
On his part, the Secretary-General of ANLCA; Mr. Babatunde Mukaila, stated that if the delay is a deliberate attempt to leave the most important people out of the affairs of CRFFN, it’s a wrong thing, adding that there is a need to organize elections, so that the Council could move forward.
He said: “If CRFFN had come up with a very straight target or guidelines, there wouldn’t be any reason to be back-pedalling. I want to encourage the Minister as someone who preaches integrity to come out straight on this issue and give a final guideline so the elections could commence.
“At the moment, there is no one to represent the interest of freight forwarders in CRFFN. If this is a deliberate attempt to leave the most important people out of the affairs of CRFFN, it’s a wrong thing. We need to organize the elections, so that the Council can move forward”.
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