Freight Forwarders in the nation’s maritime and aviation industry have thrown their weight behind the Council of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (CRFFN) over the collection of the Practitioner Operating Fee (POF) that was recently launched.
Some of the freight forwarders, who spoke to Shipping Position Daily, stated that collection of the POF will not just serve as a source of revenue for the Federal Government, but that the fee will go a long way in the training and retraining of freight forwarders in the country.
Although some of the freight forwarders stated that they are yet to start paying because they are yet to take delivery of any consignment, they however maintained that as soon they have goods to clear in the port, it is compulsory for them to pay, owing to the advantages embedded in the payment of the POF.
Speaking to Shipping Position Daily correspondent the President of Nigerian Association of Air Freight Forwarders and Consolidators (NAFFAC) Prince Adeyinka Bakare, said that he is totally in support of the fee, while adding that members of his association have also embraced collection of the fee.
The President General of NAFFAC said although he could not ascertain the numbers of clearing agents who have begun the payment, he however said he was optimistic that many of the freight forwarders have embraced the collection, adding that with the POF in place, freight forwarders would be sponsored by the Council to undertake mandatory trainings that would enhance their businesses.
Speaking also, the Chairman of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Ikorodu Chapter also drummed support for the collection of the operating fee, describing it as a welcome idea.
He stated that he will not just pay, but will ensure that all members of the association in his chapter pay the fee as well, even as he said there are more benefit to derive from paying than refusing to pay. He urged other freight forwarders to do same.
in the same vein, the National President of NAGAFF, Chief Increase Uche said though he has yet to take delivery of any consignment, as he is out of Lagos, but said that NAGAFF is fully in support.
Speaking also, a member of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Mr. Tony Anakebe also lauded the council, stating he is fully in support of the collection of the fee.
The National President of ANLCA, Mr Tony Nwabunike, had recently also said that ANLCA totally agreed with the collection of Practitioners’ Operating Fee (POF) by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), while urging members of the association to fully comply with the collection.
CRFFN had also earlier stated that the Council would generate not less than N5billion yearly from the collection of Practitioners’ Operating Fees (POF), and that a percentage of the fund would be devoted to manpower development and capacity building among freight forwarders.
