The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has said that it will not allow any freight forwarder who fails to register with it access to the nation’s seaport, airport and land borders.
The Chairman of the Governing Council of CRFFN, Alhaji Abubakar Tsanni who disclosed this at a roundtable organized by members of the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in Lagos yesterday said those of them who failed to register with the Council, would not be able to renew their licenses with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) when they want to do so next year.
Tsanni noted that it was necessary for every freight forwarder practicing in Nigeria to register with the CRFFN adding that they have no option or alternative than to register with the Council if they want to do business in the ports next year.
In his words, “Anybody who is not registered with CRFFN will not have access to enter the port any longer. Also, those that did not register, when they go to renew their licenses, definitely, the customs will not renew their licenses. So, it is necessary, everybody has no option or alternative than to go and make registration if he wants to do any business in the maritime of Nigeria.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of Research and International Liaison, CRFFN, Chief Increase Uche observed that if anyone is caught practicing as unregistered freight forwarder come 2020, the Council would be left with no option than to apply the law.
He said, “Under Sections 24, 28 and some other relevant Sections of the CRFFN Act, it is very clear what the punishments are. So, we are not going to leave any stone unturned; we are not going to compromise the standard. For now, we are trying to make sure that they comply with what is required but by next year, it is not only arrest that will be carried out, what we will do is to enforce and monitor compliance. So, arrest will be the last option.”
Uche who is also the National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) also said, “We have a tribunal, we also have stipulated code of conduct, we have professional ethics in which our members must measure up to. Issue of disobedience to law or non-conformity to rule of engagement is not a small crime.
“We have right from inception asked our members to go back to the CRFFN and get themselves registered. It is mandatory that every practicing freight forwarder must be registered. So, where you did not register, the port is a security area, it doesn’t allow unauthorized person to have access to it.”
Photo: CRFFN Governing Council Chairman, Alhaji Abubukar Tsanni.
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