… Election now to hold March 9
The Federal Ministry of Transportation through the Electoral Committee has released a new timetable for the conduct of election of freight forwarders into the Governing Board of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).
It will be recalled that the Ministry through the Electoral Committee had scheduled the election for October 2021 but had to postpone the election indefinitely following the disagreement by freight forwarders on the mode of the election.
While the five accredited freight forwarding associations were insisting on 6:6:1:1:1 sharing formula as well as opposing the participation of independent candidates in the election, the independent candidates, on one hand opposed the sharing formula proposed by the Five accredited associations describing it as a move to disenfranchise eligible contestants.
However, after series of consultations by first, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani and subsequently, the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister directed the Permanent Secretary to conduct the election within the next two weeks which has since elapsed. He also directed that independent candidates should be allowed to participate in the election in accordance with the provisions of the Act establishing the CRFFN.
Meanwhile, a public notice issued on Monday by the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, A.D. Suleiman reads in part, “Sequel to the expiration of the two years tenure of the Governing Board of Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), the Honourable Minister of Transportation in the exercise of the power conferred on him by Section 2 (1) (f) of CRFFN Act 2007, has constituted an Electoral Committee to conduct election into the Governing Board of the Council.
“The Act provides that an elected or appointed member of the Governing Council shall hold office for a period of two (2) years beginning from the date of election or appointment as applicable.
“You may wish to note that Section 2(1) (g) of the enabling Act states that ‘five persons to be elected from amongst registered freight forwarders operating in each of the following zones: Western Ports – 5 persons; Eastern Ports – 5 persons; Cargo Airports/Land Borders – 5 persons
“Consequently, all eligible registered freight forwarders are hereby informed that the Electoral Committee will commence the election process as contained in the timetable.”
The Notice indicated that the screening and accreditation of candidates will now hold between the 7th and 8th March, 2022 in Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt respectively.
According to the notice, while the screening of candidates from the Western Zone would hold at the Command Guest House, Child Avenue, Apapa, Lagos on the 7th and 8th March, 2022 from 10pm to 4pm daily, the screening of candidates from Eastern Ports would hold at Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on the same date and time just as screening of candidates from Cargo Airports/Land Borders for those in the Northern region would hold at Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua Centre, Central Business District, Abuja from 7th to 8th March, 2022 from 10am to 4pm daily.
It also informed that the election of candidates would hold on Wednesday 9th March, 2022 in Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Abuja respectively as follows:
a. Election of candidates from Western Ports, Airport/Land Borders to be held in Lagos: Command Guest House, Child Avenue, Apapa, Lagos.
b. Election of candidates from Eastern Ports, Airport/Land Borders to be held in Port Harcourt: Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
c. Election of candidates from Northern Zone for Airport/Land Borders to be held in Abuja: Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua Centre, Central Business District, Abuja.
The notice went on to reveal that election shall start at 10am prompt.
It also indicated that receipt of complaints arising from the election would hold from 10th to 14th March, 2022 while decision and recommendations on all complaints would hold between the 15th and 16th March, 2022.
“In view of the above, all registered freight forwarders should adhere to the election time table. Also guidelines for the conduct of the election shall be given at the screening venue”, the public notice said.
Photo: Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Honourable Minister of Transportation.
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