AREFFN queues behind NAGAFF, ANLCA in support of POF collection

…Says collection will not add to cost of cargo clearance

As argument as to the desirability or otherwise of the collection of the Practitioners’ Operating Fee (POF) by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) from the freight forwarders operating at the nation’s seaport, airport and land border stations rages on, the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders Nigeria (AREFFN) has joined the league of the accredited freight forwarding associations in support of the collection.

In a statement released in Lagos on Wednesday by the Chairman and Secretary of the AREFFN Board, Mr. Ejike Metu and Mr. Innocent Elum respectively and made available to our correspondent, the Board alongside the executive of the association commended the “federal government’s progressive and unequivocal commitment to the professionalization and repositioning of the freight forwarding practice in a challenging knowledge-based global economy.”

The Board noted that the recent approval granted by the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to the CRFFN’s proposed POF geared towards proper funding of the Council’s programmes and policies was yet another welcome development.

“AREFFN stands on all fours in support of the POF policy and has directed her numerous members across the country to key into it. Indeed, as a corporate member of the Council with a commitment expressed in our Motto to partner government in advancing the nation’s economy, we cannot afford not to play a key role in making the POF policy a success”, the Board said.

It added that contrary to the sentiments expressed by few industry players, POF collection cannot in any way heighten cost of cargo clearance as it would rather reduce same as practitioners would pay far less to the Council than they pay their different associations at present.

“As partner in progress with Council, AREFFN encourages her to fast track commencement of the POF collection in view of the enormous responsibilities waiting for her attention”, it concluded.

Photo: Chairman Board of Trustees, AREFFN, Mr. Ejike Metu.

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