Maritime

CRFFN has failed in its statutory functions, NAGAFF says

Published

4 years ago

August 10, 2020

…As freight forwarders reply CRFFN on comment on Presidential Compliance Team***

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) on Monday opened up again on the Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarders in Nigeria (CRFFN), stressing that in NAGAFF’s estimation, the CRFFN “has literally failed, in carrying out most of its statutory functions”.

The NAGAFF made the observation in a swift reaction to a recent statement credited to CRFFN Registrar, Barr. Samuel Nwakaohu. He purportedly made the statement during an interview with Crime Reporters, recently in Lagos, saying “NAGAFF PRESIDENTIAL COMPLIANCE TEAM is illegal”

“The expectation of NAGAFF as the umbrella body of all freight forwarders is that by this 21st-century freight forwarding practice, a reasonable percentage of the practitioners must have been properly trained having undergone a series of training programs. But to our chagrin, CRFFN has literally failed in carrying out most of their statutory functions as expected.

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“In the wisdom of NAGAFF based on the Aims and Objectives of the Association, we have the responsibility to regulate, train, and empower our members. By doing so, they are expected to behave better. Having realised that we are yet to get the best out of our numerous members in terms of professional good conduct, we decided to establish the Presidential 100% Compliance Team”, the body highlighted, in a statement issued by Dr. Arthur Igwilo, of NAGAFF Policy and Strategy Scribe, NAGAFF HQTRS.

Explained Igwilo: “Suffice it to say that he indeed made such declaration, we became dazed and amazed by such comment from the regulatory council.

“According to section (4b); And (4c) which states the statutory functions of the council.

4(b) states that the Council will determine the standards of knowledge and skill to be attained by persons seeking to be registered Freight Forwarders and raising those standards from time to time in accordance with International Industry practice .4(c)To regulate and control the practice of freight Forwarding.

“Based on the provisions of the above, issues of standard knowledge and skills were mentioned. And these are achievable by training. If an individual was properly trained, the tendency is that he/she will behave aright better than an individual improperly trained by any standards.

“In the practice of freight forwarding in Nigeria, it has been observed that most members lack proper professional training. Therefore, their attitude to practice their profession is always questionable”, he said, pointing out that the whole essence of the Compliance Team is to ensure freight Forwarders are made to be compliant in the way they practice the profession.

“For emphasis, the Team was established to manage our members in line with international best practices. Ensure that freight Forwarders are made to be compliant in the way they practice the profession. The kind of professional advice they should give their clients should be akin to professional ethics. Compliance with fiscal policies of the Federal Government. How best to relate with Agencies of government including the Nigeria Customs Service. Bank transactions. Relationship with Haulage services providers, and many other Stakeholders. Even interpersonal relationships among the practitioners.

“Apparently, we set out inadvertently to help CRFFN carry out her statutory duties. Our efforts are tantamount to complementing the activities of CRFFN as a responsible member of the council. Ordinarily, we could have expected CRFFN, to commend and encourage us to even do more. Instead, they chose to disparage NAGAFF.

“Our commitment to this is in line with our desire to sanitize the system, assist in facilitating trade to attract and enhance revenue generation. Make the FREIGHT Forwarding subsector one of the biggest employers of labor, reduce cost of doing business which had skyrocketed by not being Compliant by the Shippers. Ignorance they say is not an excuse in law. Untrue declaration by Shippers and their Agents is evidence of noncompliance. Section 46 and 47 of CEMA made provisions for the consequences of such action. Such action is born out of ignorance. But if properly trained, the propensity and propinquity to indulge in such economic sabotage will be drastically minimised

“To say the least we are practically disappointed in the unconfirmed statement of the Registrar, as such NAGAFF may reconsider its membership of the COUNCIL. In addition, NAGAFF may return to FIATA as well as relisting our appeal court suit to determine the status of CRFFN in reality”, the NAGAFF further said.

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NSC Registers Terminal Operators, Shipping Companies, Agencies

Published

2 days ago

April 26, 2024

Maritime First

….In the Regulated Port Service Provider and Users platform

The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has registered stakeholders in the maritime industry on its Regulated Port Service Provider and Users platform with the theme “Regulated Port Service Provider and Users” in Lagos.

The Executive Secretary of NSC, Mr Pius Akutah, disclosed this at the sensitisation programme by the commission for port operators.

Akutah, ably represented by Director Consumer Affairs, Chief Cajetan Agu, said the sensitisation programme was the second edition after its commencement during the last quarter of 2023.

The CEO of NSC said that the 160 registered port operators consist of agencies, terminal operators, shipping companies, individual port users, as well as service providers.

“We invited the stakeholders of the port to enlighten them on the processes for online registration of Regulated Port Service Provider and Users.

“We have demonstrated to them how to register and how to make payment and we were able to present before them the various categories under the registration.

“The rate of payment is also in the registration. The payment of each group depends on the operation. A shipper pays N30,000, terminal operators and shipping companies pay N300,000, truckers also pay N30,000 while some pay N50,000 as well as N100,000.

“The council was able to intimate them on the benefits because port users benefit more as we help to interface for reducing port charges from time to time,” Akutah said.

He said that there was a need to continue to work with port operators to stop delays and also eliminate high costs to make the port efficient.

The Deputy Director, Stakeholders, Service, NSC, Mr Celestine Akujobi, said the sensitisation exercise was important for the council to enable us to bring all the port stakeholders together.

According to him, this is to avoid challenges which might unfold during the implementation of the council’s responsibilities.

“We are engaging other ports across the country and we hope that before the last quarter of 2024, the council will implement sanctions on the defaulting operators”

“By the time we introduce sanctions on defaulters, no operators will complain that he or she is not aware of the registration.

“I’m happy with the turnout of this sensitisation. This shows that the operators are well informed of the statutory fiction of the council as the port regulator.

“The final implementation will commence as soon as we ascertain that all the operators have keyed into the portal.

“We are engaging other ports across the country and we hope that before the last quarter of 2024, the council will implement sanctions on the defaulting operators,” Akujobi said.

The Vice Chairman of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwards (NAGAFF), Dr Ifeanyi Emoh said that port challenges were enormous. He noted that they originated from some government agencies.

Emoh urged the council to look into regulating other government agencies so that they could be a window where they collected port challenges collectively instead of indiscriminate charges.

The Member of the National Council of Managing Director of Licensed Customs Agents, Mr Abayomi Duyile, commended NSC, saying that the sensitisation would enable both the government agencies and port users to operate on the same level.

The Chairman, Board of Trustee (BOT), NEXUS Association of Maritime Truckers Operators (NAMTOP), Mr Raheem Morufu, said he had registered since November 2023, but found it difficult to register on the NSC portal.

“I’m now well informed after the training that everyone will register individually, regardless of their operations to be attended to when there is a challenge.

“I want to commend NSC for their intervention when the shipping companies overcharged me. I was able to be refunded N20 million after the intervention,” Morufu said.

Maritime

Michael Ugbagu Assumes Duty As Comptroller Federal Operations Unit Zone C

Published

4 days ago

April 24, 2024

Maritime First

Michael Ugbagu Assumes Duty As Comptroller Federal Operations Unit Zone C

In the meantime, Comptroller Michael Ugbagu has assumed office as the 28th Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit Zone C (FOUC) of the Nigeria Customs Service, Owerri.

Comptroller Ugbagu took over from his predecessor, Comptroller Kayode Kolade in a simple ceremony in Owerri, on Friday.

Comptroller Ugbagu thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs; Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and his entire management team, for the trust and confidence bestowed on him to pilot the affairs of the Unit.

He equally thanked Comptroller Kolade for his “highly commendable “ achievements while he held sway and pledged continued compliance with established guidelines while discharging his duties.

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“ We will ensure compliance with the current import and export guidelines using intelligence and technology to drive our operations.

“ There will be watertight security against smuggling activities across the zone. Smugglers will be discouraged, frustrated and made uncomfortable, thereby making smuggling, duty evasion and warehousing of smuggled goods unattractive within the zone.

“ This is an onerous responsibility and I will not let the Service down“ he said.

He called for support and cooperation from the media and the general public to enable him carry out his new assignment.

Maritime

Auwal Haruna: Katsina Command Boss, Muhammed Umar Condoles Family

Published

4 days ago

April 24, 2024

Maritime First

Auwal Haruna: Katsina Command Boss, Muhammed Umar Condoles Family

…Assures family that justice will be served

The Customs Area Controller of Katsina Command, Comptroller Mohammed Umar, has on behalf of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, paid a condole visit to the family of late Customs Assistant II Auwal Haruna in his native home. Auwal Haruna tragically lost his life while on duty.

During the visit to the Kayawa community in Dutsi Local Government Area of Katsina State, Comptroller Muhammed Umar expressed his deepest sympathy to the family and members of the Kayawa community for the irreplaceable loss, recognising Auwal’s sacrifice in the line of duty.

He emphasised that the Service lost a disciplined and well-dedicated officer.

The Area Controller assured the family of the deceased that the Service has initiated a thorough investigation to apprehend those responsible for the heinous act and would ensure justice is served.

The Chairman of Dutsi Local Government Area, Hon. Abdulrazzak Adamu, expressed gratitude on behalf of the deceased family members for the Service support during this challenging time and urged the Service to bring the culprits to book and ensure that justice is served.

The Katsina Area Command Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs, Tahir Balarabe confirmed that a moment of prayer was held for the eternal peace of the fallen hero, Auwal Haruna.