By Rahanetu Abuh
In light of the challenges facing the industry, the president of the National Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF),Tochukwu Ezisi (RFF), has urged the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) to promptly tackle the critical issues confronting the Association.
Ezisi revealed this during the visit of Mr Kingsley Igwe, the Chief Executive Officer of CRFFN, to NAGAFF.
He stated that Igwe’s presence demonstrates the important collaboration between their Association, NAGAFF, and CRFFN.
While acknowledging the crucial role of CRFFN in influencing, regulating, and enhancing the industry, Ezisi pointed out the challenges the sector is encountering and urged the council to take prompt action to address these urgent issues.
In his speech, the President mentioned that the Association’s request is founded on the resolution of the unresolved matters.
“Our demands are as follows: Resolution of outstanding issues
We demand that CRFFN provides a clear roadmap for resolving outstanding issues affecting our members, including but not limited to the payment of practitioners operating fee, POF.
“Two, improve regulation and enforcement. We demand that CRFFN strengthen its regulatory and enforcement framework to prevent the activities of unlicensed and unregistered freight forwarders.
“Three, increase stakeholders’ engagement. We demand that CRFFN engages more regularly with NAGAFF and other stakeholders to ensure that the concerns and interests of our members are taken into account.
“Four, capacity building and training.
We demand that CRFFN provides regular training and capacity building programs for our members to enhance their skills and knowledge.
“Five, recognition of NAGAF’s role. We demand that CRFFN recognizes NAGAFF’s role as critical stakeholders in the freight forwarding industry and involves us in the decision-making processes,” he noted.
He wrapped up by expressing that the association views these requests as fair and crucial for fostering a constructive and effective relationship between CRFFN and NAGAFF, and they are eager to continue the discussion on this issue.
NAGAFF President also recognized the registrar’s dedication to professionalism, ethical practices, and the pursuit of excellence.
In response to a question
about the measures the council is taking to facilitate the smooth functioning of the association, the Registrar/CEO of the Council for the Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Kingsley Igwe started by addressing the misunderstanding that the council does not carry out the NPA’s directives, but instead operates as a sister agency,
similar to others. clarifying this point,
Igwe quickly shifted attention to capacity building, which is one of the many strategies aimed at alleviating the challenges faced by the business.
He said, “I want to begin first to correct an impression that was created that CRFFN regulates NPA. No, CRFFN is a sister agency as NPA under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, just like NIMASA, Shippers’ Council, NIWA, and the rest
“CRFFN is one among the agencies under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. Having said that, let me dive straight into the capacity building that was mentioned, which means training and retraining of freight forwarders. (3:29)
“What is CRFFN doing differently this time around? I am aware, and you all know and you have heard my voice, even when I was active as a NAGAFF member, I was a strong voice against CRFFN in terms of capacity building, providing requisite training to professionalize the freight forwarders, the practitioners.”
The Registrar also mentioned that they may not have done everything perfectly, but he has promised everyone facing challenges in the industry that policies will be implemented more effectively, using his own experience as a model for others.
“I want to make something clear here. We might not have gotten right in the past, but this time around, we have no choice but to get it right because it is out of the training that I received what I am today in the industry
“So what I am assuring you and what I am bringing to the table here is everything that I have learned to make me a professional practitioner in the industry,” he noted
He stated that now that they can access the established principles, training will be conducted not just in locations that are unaffordable for everyone, but also in places like ports, where anyone interested in the training can participate.
As he puts it, “Now that we can access it, I have personally made it as a point of priority that training will not longer be held in places like UNILAD where many cannot go and afford it, like the accredited institutions that are far, far away from our point of operation.
“Under my regime, we will bring the training to the port terminal. Everybody who can make out time to participate should come in and participate. That way, I don’t think anybody has any excuse. So, if you don’t know what the industry is all about anymore after the training, you are on your own.”
