By Joshua Yousouph
A former Port Standing Task Team (PSTT) coordinator has said that the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) can strengthen its emerging enforcement framework by drawing lessons from the operational structure and outcomes of the PSTT model.
This position was articulated by the former Coordinator of PSTT, Mr. Moses Fadipe, who clarified the functional differences between the newly launched CRFFN User Experience Diary and the former PSTT initiative within Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem.
According to him, integrating lessons from the PSTT model with structured data from the User Experience Diary could provide a more robust and sustainable enforcement framework for CRFFN.
Fadipe, who is currently Technical Adviser on Maritime to CBi, maintained that while the PSTT focused more on direct enforcement and agency oversight, the emerging CRFFN approach places greater emphasis on information gathering, analysis, and stakeholder-driven compliance solutions.
He explained that while both mechanisms aim to improve efficiency in cargo clearance processes, they operate from different perspectives and address distinct challenges within the port environment.
“The pattern of data collected will determine the strategy of enforcement to be adopted. You don’t put the cart before the horse,” he said.
Fadipe further stated that data generated from the User Experience Diary would play a central role in shaping future enforcement strategies, as it would provide empirical insights into patterns of infractions, service delays, and procedural inefficiencies within the system.
He added that the PSTT was primarily established to address systemic inefficiencies and curb the excesses of government agencies involved in cargo clearance operations, with a focus on enforcement, compliance monitoring, and intervention at the port level.
In contrast, he noted that the CRFFN User Experience Diary is designed as a feedback and data collection mechanism that captures the day-to-day experiences of freight forwarders.
He expressed optimism that with proper alignment of both models, Nigeria’s cargo clearance system could become more transparent, efficient, and responsive to industry challenges.
