Against the backdrop of the protest carried out against the collection of the Practitioners’ Operating Fee (POF) yesterday by members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at the ports, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has called on its members nationwide to comply with the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) in that regard.
A statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of NAGAFF, Mr. Stanley Ezenga warned NAGAFF members not to allow anybody or organization to drag them against the payment of POF as instructed by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
According to him,”All freight forwarders are hereby advised not to be dragged by anybody or organization against the payment of POF as instructed by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“While appreciating the rights of Nigerians to protest, the need to be law abiding cannot be overemphasized. Any person or group is at liberty to approach the court for a restraining order to stop collection of POF by the Government if one is in disagreement. It is also important to note that every freight forwarder and/or Licensed Customs Agent is mandated to ensure that he or she and or corporate body is duly registered with NAGAFF and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).
“It is instructive to mention that CRFFN has positioned its system officers at NAGAFF Headquarters and other zonal offices nationwide to assist in guiding freight agents on the processes and procedures of POF collection and the forthcoming election into the Council Board thereto. It is the primary responsibility on the part of CRFFN to regulate and control the practice of freight forwarding in Nigeria as a profession. NAGAFF shall in due course of time expose the remote cause of the seeming agitation other than the POF payment which shall be used to develop the operational capacity of freight forwarders of Nigeria”.
The association’s spokesman advised all freight forwarders and licensed customs agents to approach NAGAFF Headquarters at 2A Maybin Road, GRA Apapa Lagos, 12 Notore Road, Off NAFCON roundabout Onne, Port Harcourt, (South East/South-South), Jibiya Border Axis, No. 8/9 Yahaya Madaki Way, Kofar Kaura Katsina State (North West), NAGAFF Office, Nuate, Cargo Ware House Local Wing, Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja (North Central) for guidance and assistance in documentation and assessment of fees payable in their transactions.
“You are expected to present your original import bill of lading and/or certified copy for proper assessment. The declarant in this regard shall be based on your RFF number given to you by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria as a registered freight forwarder. All payments are made to the TSA account of the Federal Government of Nigeria”, Ezenga stated.
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