The African Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria, APFFLON has paid a courtesy visit to the Zonal Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Mr. MT Wetkas.
The visit which took place in Lagos recently, was part of the association’s ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration with key government agencies in addressing pressing issues affecting the freight forwarding industry in Nigeria.
The President of APFFLON, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, during the meeting, highlighted the challenges faced by his members and the freight forwarding practitioners in general, particularly regarding unjustified charges imposed by shipping companies and terminal operators at the nation’s seaports.
He listed those charges to include excessive rents and demurrage fees, which he said were deliberately designed to exploit freight forwarders even as he harped on the need for a platform where such grievances could be addressed promptly, without recourse to lengthy legal battles.
The APFFLON delegation underscored the importance of having government intervention in these matters, emphasizing that the EFCC’s involvement would help expedite the resolution of disputes.
The association noted that relying on the legal system often leads to delays in obtaining justice, which can have a detrimental impact on the industry.
In response, Mr. Wetkas expressed the EFCC’s commitment to fostering strong relationships with citizens and organizations to safeguard national security and the economy.
He acknowledged the concerns raised by APFFLON and assured the association of the Commission’s readiness to collaborate with them in addressing issues that undermine the economic well-being of the nation.
The APFFLON team also mentioned that this visit was part of a broader outreach to various government agencies and organizations. They revealed that similar appeals had been extended to other bodies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, to discuss the broader implications of economic policies and their impact on the freight forwarding industry.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties agreeing on the importance of creating a platform for dialogue and intervention in cases of injustice within the industry.
APFFLON expressed optimism that this collaboration with the EFCC would lead to more timely and effective resolutions to the challenges faced by their members.
Photo 1: (L-R): Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, President of APFFLON and Mr. MT Wetkas, Zonal Director, EFCC exchanging souvenirs during the visit to the Zonal Office in Lagos by APFFLON recently.
Photo 2: A Cross – section of APFFLON members and officials of the EFCC, during the courtesy visit by APFFLON to the Zonal Office in Lagos recently.
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