A cross section of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN)- registered freight forwarding associations and have commended last week’s flag-off of the enforcement team to rid the profession of quacks.
A cross section of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN)- registered freight forwarding associations and have commended last week’s flag-off of the enforcement team to rid the profession of quacks.
While some of the leaders of the freight forwarding associations in Lagos confirmed that most of their members who were yet unregistered will be advised to do so in order for them to be able to continue to practice, the Nigerian Institute of Freight Forwarders (NIFF) has also hailed the exercise, saying it is the dawn of a new era in the nation's international trade transactions.
A statement by the Institute’s acting Executive Secretary; Barrister Valentino Buoro added that “the milestone marks the end of the road for fake forwarders who have in the past tarnished the image of this globally recognised profession”.
“For far too long a time, honest and hardworking freight forwarders have suffered humiliation and bad publicity as a result of the activities of fraudsters who masquerade as clearing and forwarding agents to dupe innocent importers. Such fraudsters had remained endemic in the system because they offer below industry rates for cargo handling in order to lure their victims”, the statement added.
It expressed optimism that “with the successful commencement of this phase of the CRFFN's mandate, the industry will now witness the separation of the wheat from the chaff”.
On his part, the National President Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN),Dr. Frank Ukor admitted that with the commencement of the enforcement, some members who refused to register will be affected.
Ukor said most of his members have been advised to register, otherwise, they won't be recognised as qualified freight forwarders.
"We are very happy about it and Nigeria does not want to start anything until it is late but one thing for sure is that is a good development".
Ukor noted that all the registered freight forwarding association under CRFFN is involved in the setting up of the enforcement team.
On his part factional President, National Council of Licensed Customs Agents(NCMDLCA); Chief Festus Ejiofor said that the commencement of enforcement is a good thing for practitioners in the industry.
Ejiofor affirmed that all registered associations are fully behind the enforcement to clampdown on those yet unregistered.
He confirmed that his association is fully in support of the enforcement team and advised agents to comply with the CRFFN Act.
"If you are member of National Council and you are yet to register with CRFFN, you don't have any business to be in freight forwarding", Ejiofor noted.
In a similar reaction, President of NAGAFF, Chief Eugene Nweke affirmed that it is the right move of achieving professionalism in the freight forwarding practise.
The NAGAFF boss said there is need for the enforcement unit of the CRFFN to operate in the port, adding that it will create an enabling environment for professionals to operate.
He stated that members of his association have been advised to register for them to be counted as professional freight forwarders in Nigeria.
Similarly, the NIFF urged registered freight forwarders who have not regularised their membership of the Institute to do so by picking up their membership registration forms and taking advantage of the Institute's Members Support Desk which will assist them in finding solutions to a wide range of business challenges.
“As we use this medium to congratulate the management of the CRFFN for a good take-off in this respect, we urge all registered freight forwarders to seize this opportunity to sign up for the 2013 Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme of the Nigerian Institute of Freight Forwarders which kicks off in this month of August 2013 . Let it be noted by all concerned that participation in the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme is a prerequisite for obtaining the annual practice license of the CRFFN. It should be understood that without a current practice license no registered freight forwarder will be in a position to carry on business”, it warned.
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