Amidst growing agitations and apprehensions over the perceived silence for almost two months after the appointment of the new Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), the Registrar, Mr Kingsley Igwe has broken his silence, assuring stakeholders that he has resumed office and is actively working behind the scenes.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that in October, 2024, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola approved the appointment of Mr Igwe Kingsley as the substantive Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria.
The Head of Press & Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy, Muhammad Zakari had said in a statement that the appointment was contained in a letter signed by the Director of Maritime Services at the ministry, Mr Babatunde Sule noting that the move was part of efforts to reposition the CRFFN for better efficiency and management.
Mr. Igwe Kingsley took over from Mrs Chinyere Uromta, who has been acting as the Registrar of the council for over a year.
Since the appointment, freight forwarders have raised concerns over the Registrar’s quiet disposition, fueling speculations and dissatisfaction about the direction of the council under the new leadership.
Many industry players had expressed the need for urgent action to address the numerous challenges besetting the council and the freight forwarding sector, particularly following the fresh seven-day ultimatum by Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) to the management of the CRFFN demanding the immediate payment of all outstanding salaries to its members.
But, in an exclusive interaction with Shipping Position Daily last week, the CRFFN Registrar addressed concerns raised by industry stakeholders regarding his silence since his appointment into the position.
He explained that his current approach is deliberate, aimed at understanding the council’s challenges and devising sustainable solutions, rather than engaging in what he described as “playing to the gallery or the jamboree style of past leaderships, without meaningful impact.”
“I have resumed office and have been working behind the scenes to thoroughly assess the issues affecting the council. My priority is to ensure that we tackle these challenges strategically and effectively,” he said.
The Registrar emphasized the importance of collaboration and called on industry stakeholders to bring forward their suggestions and contributions toward addressing the myriads of problems facing both the council and the freight forwarding industry at large.
“I believe that collective input from stakeholders is crucial in shaping the future of the CRFFN and resolving industry issues. My doors are open for constructive engagement,” Igwe added.
However, a freight forwarder and Tin Can Chapter Public Relations Officer of the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (APFFLON) Mr Clinton Okoro called for patience and understanding from stakeholders regarding the new CRFFN Registrar as he settles into his role.
Okoro emphasized the importance of allowing the new leadership the time to grasp the complexities of the council and the challenges facing the freight forwarding industry. He noted that the CRFFN has struggled to meet its mandates, with lingering operational and administrative issues requiring urgent attention.
Okoro lauded the Registrar’s strategy of first gathering facts and understanding the landscape before embarking on large-scale reforms. Expressing optimism about the Registrar’s potential, he highlighted his industry background and deep understanding of the freight forwarding sector as key strengths.
While urging stakeholders to exercise patience, Okoro also called for constructive support to enable the Registrar to succeed in addressing the council’s challenges and advancing the freight forwarding industry.
“Somebody that just entered into an office, will first need to understand the place. The ministry has been facing very big challenges, including internal issues like unpaid staff and unfulfilled regulatory obligations.
“You have to at least; sit back and get some facts you can work with. People shouldn’t be in a haste to start expecting much from him. It’s just about two months since he resumed. This is somebody who is an industry person and a stakeholder in the industry. There’s no way he will not do better than bringing in someone who doesn’t even know what it takes to run this council,” Okoro stated confidently.
“He needs time, but I am very certain he is going to do well. The only thing is for everyone to align and support him,” Okoro concluded.
