The Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Adegboyega Oyetola CON, has advised the freight forwarding associations in Nigeria to merge to form a single group in a bid to actively push for their professional goals.
Oyetola, was speaking at the closing ceremony of a 2-day training exercise for freight forwarders in Lagos, organized by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, CRFFN recently.
Despite having five CRFFN accredited freight forwarding associations namely: the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, National Association of Air Freight Forwarders and Consolidators, NAFFAC, Association of Registered Freight Forwarders Nigeria, AREFFN and the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, NCMDLCA; the Ministry believes that an unfair tussle among the groups is hampering the growth of the practice of freight forwarding in the country.
The Minister, who was represented by his Special Adviser, Prof. Busayo Fakinlade, said, “The Ministry thinks that all associations have to come together to be able to make progress in the industry.”
“I’m here as part of the Ministry’s solidarity and support for CRFFN. We are also looking at the agency’s Act and also other approaches to improve the productivity of the Council. The Act portrays what the Council should do.”
According to him, the freight forwarding associations should measure the conduct of their members and their core objectives vis-a-vis the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) standards.
“You have to focus on your core objectives and position yourselves to advance your common good. It is because you have fractions that you are losing out on some of your benefits. If all your associations come together with one voice, I don’t think any agency can discard your propositions,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, the Minister’s representative expressed satisfaction with the 2-day training and commended the leadership of the Council for organizing the workshop.
According to him, the gains of having a distinct Marine and Blue Economy Ministry will soon be witnessed across the nation via the increased utilization of inland waterways, river ports and other initiatives being championed by the Ministry.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of CRFFN, Mrs. Chinyere Uromta, thanked the Minister for providing sterling leadership since his appointment, describing the Minister as a father.
Uromta equally assured the freight forwarders that the payment of declarant fees will continue to go on smoothly, even as she encouraged the practitioners to promptly pay the Practitioners Operating Fees, POF to enable the Council continue to organize worthwhile training.
The event also featured the presentation of certificates to the participants and special awards to the best freight forwarders after an examination.
NAGAFF Secretary, Mr. Kingsley Igwe clinched the first position after the training and advised the Blue Economy Ministry to define its place and the role of freight forwarders in the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.
Photo: (L-R): Representative of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Prof. Busayo Fakinlade, the Acting Registrar, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, CRFFN, Mrs. Chinyere Uromta and Mr. Kingsley Igwe, best performing trainee at a 2-day Blue Economy Training for freight forwarders put together by the CRFFN in Lagos recently.
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