…Calls for sack of Internet Service Provider
Following the challenges currently faced by freight forwarders and their importers as a result of constant server failure, the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), has said that it is ready to take the Nigeria Customs to court on behalf of the freight forwarders.
The President, APFFLON, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite who disclosed this in a statement in Lagos recently, recalled that for weeks now, the recurring server failure in the Nigeria Customs Service operations had grossly hindered freight forwarders and their importers from taking delivery of their consignments in good time, even as shipping and terminal charges accrue.
Ogunojemite observed that calls by freight agents on the federal government to fire customs internet service provider, Messrs.’ Webb Fontaine for alleged incompetence have continued without violence.
He maintained that it had been substantiated that the server failure had grossly affected the revenue drive of various customs commands, leaving marks of frustration on the faces of Customs Area Controllers who unfortunately, have no immediate solution to the challenge.
“Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), has said it would file a lawsuit against Nigeria Customs Service on behalf of freight forwarders to ensure that they recover every Kobo they lost due to server failure within the period.
“We are prepared to assist the affected freight forwarders who come forth with their claims backed up with documented facts in this regard. Affected freight forwarders should send relevant information to info@apfflon.org, through WhatsApp on +2347065557987 or call +234703465085 to lodge any complaint related to the subject matter. The person can as well visit APFFLON SECRETARIAT at 29, Atinuke Olabanji Street, off Obafemi Awolowo way,Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
“As an advocacy group in aviation and maritime, we advised those having delivery challenges occasioned by server failure to state how long it took them to capture their SGD; additional storage charge incurred as well as other difficulties associated with it, assuring them that their right to litigation can be fully exercised if they would join APFFLON to seek redress, promising to recover in full, every additional cost associated with the challenge, provided the agent tenders the documents via the aforementioned links”, he said.
Ogunojemite, in the statement, vowed to always stand up against injustice meted out to freight forwarders in the course of carrying out their professional duties.
He, however, called on the federal government to immediately sack the Nigeria Customs internet service providers, Messrs. Webb Fountain, for gross incompetence which he said had grossly jeopardized its policy on Ease of Doing Business, as well as hindered trade facilitation.
“As an advocacy group, we are filing a lawsuit against the Nigeria Customs and their clients so as to get justice for those freight forwarders who have all these while lost both man-hours and resources due to server failure which is not in any way a fault of theirs. We are beckoning on anyone with genuine documents that was caught in the web of this challenge to come forth and join APFFLON in the litigation”, he appealed.
Photo: APFFLON President, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite
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