Leading Freight Forwarders Raise Doubt Over Controversial ‘SGF Letter’ On CRFFN Fees Collection

Leaders of some freight forwarding associations have expressed doubts about the authenticity of the April 29, 2015 letter purportedly written by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) which directed that the Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding (CRFFN) has no power to carry out certain functions in the absence of a governing council for the agency.

Leaders of some freight forwarding associations have expressed doubts about the authenticity of the April 29, 2015 letter purportedly written by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) which directed that the Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding (CRFFN) has no power to carry out certain functions in the absence of a governing council for the agency.
Speaking to our correspondents in Lagos yesterday, the leaders (identities with held) alleged that the controversial letter which was addressed to the deputy president of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents; Mr Uchu Block must have been forged.
The letter, which those opposed to the collection of the practitioners operating fees hinged their opposition on, was signed by a director in the office of the SGF; Mr Elaigwu P.Ejembi .
But the freight forwarders called for a thorough investigation to ascertain the authenticity of the of the one-page document.
 One of them, who is the president of one of the associations, confirmed that the Police has already been notified about the development.
He told one of our correspondents in Apapa yesterday that, after a closer look at the letter, his association is left with no doubt that the letter did not emanate from the Presidency as is being claimed.
“We have examined that letter and we have found out that certain things were implanted, but we are going to notify the Police about it, all those who caused that forgery will be made to pay for it”, he stated, even as he observed that “apart from the forgery, how come no one knew about the letter until after three weeks”.
Another freight forwarding association leader added that, the petitioner (Mr Uchu Block) is not a member of the CRFFN, he expressed surprise that a non-registered practitioner could write to request for election into the governing council of the body.
“Uchu is not a registered freight forwarder, he is not a member of CRFFN, so why is he interested in how the Council is run,” he observed, just as he added that the newly-created platform; Concerned Accredited Freight Forwarding Association (CAFFA) will take up the matter of forgery with the appropriate agency of the Government.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that the CAFFA had on Monday discredited the letter, and directed that its members should cooperate with the CRFFN in the collection of the fees.
The CAFFA comprises of: National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Association of Registered Freight Freight Forwarders, Council of Managing Directors and NAFFAC.