CRFFN Registrar Commits To Capacity Building , Training Of Freight Forwarders

CRFFN Registrar Commits To Capacity Building , Training Of Freight Forwarders

L-R Registrar CRFFN,Mr Kingsley Igwe, National President NAGAFF,High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi,and Founder NAGAFF,Dr.Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam

By Frank Odinukaeze

The Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), has assured that the Council is not reneging on its statutory responsibility of training and capacity building of freight forwarders.
Kingsley Igwe, stated this while addressing freight forwarders during a working visit to the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) at their headquarters in Apapa.
Igwe’s speech focused on capacity building, training, and the challenges faced by the freight forwarding industry.

The CRFFN boss,began by clarifying misconception that CRFFN does not regulate the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) but is a sister agency under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, alongside other agencies such as NIMASA, Shippers Council, and NIWA.

He emphasized the importance of capacity building and training for freight forwarders, acknowledging past shortcomings but expressing a commitment to getting it right this time. Igwe highlighted the need for professional training to align with global standards and conventions, stating that the industry is knowledge-based and requires proper training for practitioners.

To address the issue of accessibility, Igwe announced that training sessions would be held at port terminals, making it easier for freight forwarders to participate. He also mentioned plans to localize the curriculum to ensure its relevance to the industry, consulting with experts both within and outside the industry to improve the training programs.

Igwe assured the audience that the CRFFN is dedicated to solving the challenges faced by the industry, including issues with the collection of the Practitioners’ Operating Fee (POF). He acknowledged the problems caused by using third-party consultants for POF collection, such as network failures and multiple debits, and promised to address these issues.
The CRFFN boss lamented the way the freight forwarding profession is being run presently

Former presidents of NAGAFF,Mr Increase  Uche ( L),and Dr Eugene Nweke (R)

He said ,”It looks as if what is being practiced today, the status quo is wrong. This is one of the battles we need to fight. And we all need everybody’s hands on deck in this direction.

“So that we can be able to control the industry. Not some dick and harry that comes in within the port premises and say he or she is an agent, is a freight forwarder, is being absorbed. Who is losing? It is you who is the practitioner”

He said these unregistered people who operate in the port are the ones causing havoc
” Because they can cause harm. At the end of the day, everybody is blamed. Meanwhile, you are exempted” he said.

He added,”They do not understand the principles and the rules. The blame that should be allocated to them is also apportioned to you. That should not be so”

National publicity Secretary NAGAFF,Dr.Clement Omenma (L) in a handshake with the Registrar CRFFN,Mr Kingsley Igwe

He said,”By the time CRFFN comes up with all the plans and programs that we have put in order to correct some of these things, we will be able to fish out the chaff from the grains and apportion the penalty rightfully as it should be. We are integrating, we have partially integrated our system with the system of the NPA. Because largely enough, most of what we need to enforce, we still need sister agency collaboration.

“Just as they need our collaboration in some of their programs that they enforce. And that is why we have an existing understanding with NPA and the rest. And we want to also extend that to all the agencies involved in the clearing process for proper recognition of the freight forwarding community in the supply chain and the freight logistics industry at large.

” when I came on board, the ministry was developing the policy for the federal ministry of marine and blue economy. Very fantastic projects that the ministry has done. I’ve gone through the policy.

” However, there was need to add some clauses that concerns the freight forwarding
practice. And I have submitted my policy documents to them. And they have captured it.

“And that policy document covers most of what I’ve explained here today.
He said the Council currently is improving on its revenue and would not want to rely on practitioners operating fee POF. “On improving our revenue,we would not just depend only on POF, we don’t need to depend on POF alone” he said.

He further explained that ,”Parts of the policy document that I submitted captured a need for CRFFN to be expanded in terms of their revenue reach. It is not only at the port that CRFFN should actually collect fees on containers, on conventional cargo, or even on liquid cargo, and all of that. The bike rider on the road is performing logistic services.

“And CRFFN should be able to generate revenue from their services, even though they are under NIPOST and being licensed by NIPOST at the moment. Apart from that, even the haulage operators who do not recognize that CRFFN should regulate them today, we have moved that they need to come under CRFFN. All of this and more are avenues for revenue generation for us he submitted.
The CRFFN Registrar took time to address so many concerns raised by freight and assured that the Council has taken note and would address all.
Igwe reiterated the importance of capacity building as a priority agenda for the CRFFN, with the support of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and the Presidency. He assured the freight forwarding community that they would not lose out and that the CRFFN is committed to improving the industry’s standards and practices.
Earlier,the National President of NAGAFF,High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi,in his welcome address , expressed delight at the presence of the CRFFN Registrar at the NAGAFF Headquarters.
“I am thrilled to welcome a remarkable leader, Mr Kingsley Igwe, the Chief Executive Officer/Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN). Sir, your presence here today enriches our gathering and reinforces the importance of collaboration in our industry” Ezisi remarked.
High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi emphasized the importance of collaboration for the continued growth of the freight forwarding sub-sector within Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
Ezisi highlighted the indispensable role CRFFN plays in shaping, regulating, and elevating the industry. He praised the council for its steadfast commitment to maintaining professionalism, upholding ethical standards, and advocating for excellence. “Your dedication is nothing short of inspiring,” Ezisi noted.
The visit by the CRFFN Registrar was seen as a gateway to greater possibilities and an opportunity to strengthen existing ties while exploring new collaborative avenues. Ezisi expressed optimism that this partnership would lead to meaningful advancements in capacity building, trade facilitation, and industry development in Nigeria.

The NAGAFF president presented a number of demands for the CRFFN,some of which include; resolution of outstanding issues concerning the members of NAGAFF,improved regulation and enforcement of rules guiding the operations of freight forwarders; increased stakeholders engagement, capacity building and training of freight forwarders to enhance skill and knowledge,and recognition of NAGAFF’s role as a critical stakeholder.
High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi also looked forward to the discussions and wealth of ideas that would emerge from the engagement, which he believes will further solidify the cordial relationship between NAGAFF and CRFFN. He concluded by warmly welcoming Mr. Igwe and expressing sincere gratitude for his dedication to the industry.
Speaking at the event ,Founder of NAGAFF, Dr.Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam ,advised the CRFFN Registrar to be firm and fair to all ,and to operate with an open mind , adding that the CRFFN should resolve all the concerns raised by freight forwarders .
He further advised the registrar to activate the CRFFN tribunal as it will help in sanitising the system.
“CRFFN has a tribunal.Go and activate it so that anyone who goes against the rule goes to jail” Dr.Aniebonam counselled.
Speaking also,two former presidents of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders NAGAFF,Dr Eugene Nweke andMr.Increase both gave their support to the registrar of CRFFN.
On his part Deputy National President Seaport,Chief Afam Chukwuma,advised the CRFFN to be more impactful and assertive.
“What is the impact of CRFFN ” Chief Afam asked.
He said the CRFFN has not loved up to the reason of its establishment
” You and I know today that if you go into the wharf, you go into the port, you meet all manner of people who claim to be freight forwarders . Someone starts doing business and he can no longer trade, he picks up documents, he comes to the wharf and says he’s a freight forwarder.
“There are people who wake up every morning not knowing where to go. They come to the port, find their way to the terminal, and they claim they are freight forwarders. And that’s why today if you go to Panti, Sabo police station, there are so many cases of agents, let me use the word agents now, and importers, people who have been given money to do work and they have run away for months.
“I’m telling you what I know. And because there is no recognition, there is no certification, there is no way to streamline people who are supposed to have access to these declarations, to have access to these practices. And this fundamental failure has left the industry open, has left the industry polarized, and has left the industry unabated” Chief Afam stated.Adding that the CRFFN should sanitise the freight forwarding profession, rid it of its current all comers affairs.
In his vote of thanks , Deputy President Headquarters,Mr Simeon Nwaonu, described the CRFFN Registrar as a” Very intelligent and knowledgeable professional “.
The occasion was attended by NAGAFF high commands including the BoT Chairman of NAGAFF Mr Chidiebere Enelama,Elders Council NAGAFF, Members of National Executive Committee,amongst others.