APFFLON Supports Minister’s Appointment Of CRFFN Registrar Amidst Controversy

APFFLON Supports Minister’s Appointment Of CRFFN Registrar Amidst Controversy

APFFLON, President,Otunba Frank Ogunojemite

….joins suit against Minister as interested party

By Frank Odinukaeze

The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has publicly distanced itself from the legal actions taken by four of the five self-accredited freight forwarding associations against the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola. The associations are challenging the appointment of Mr. Kingsley Onyekachi Igwe as the substantive Registrar/CEO of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).

In a statement released on Sunday, APFFLON’s National President, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, criticized the actions of the four associations, stating that they do not represent the views of the majority of freight forwarders in Nigeria. Ogunojemite described the situation as “sad and unfortunate,” noting that the freight forwarding community had long advocated for the appointment of a professional practitioner to the role of Registrar/CEO of CRFFN.

Ogunojemite praised Minister Oyetola for his decision, asserting that the appointment was made in the best interest of the profession and the nation. He emphasized that the Minister exercised his authority under the “Direction of General Character” power conferred by the CRFFN Act of 2007.

“We as members of APFFLON are not part of this litigation. The Honourable Minister has taken a good decision on this matter,” Ogunojemite stated. He accused the opposing associations of acting out of selfishness and personal interest, rather than the welfare of the industry.

Ogunojemite further argued that the Minister’s decision was necessary to reform the maritime sector and ensure Nigeria’s visibility in the global maritime community. He called on all stakeholders to support the Minister’s efforts to bring about positive change.

Addressing concerns about the legality of the appointment process, Ogunojemite dismissed references to Section 11 of the CRFFN Act, stating that the current state of emergency in the industry justified the Minister’s intervention. He insisted that the government must step in during such times to rescue the profession from chaos.

“The appointment of Mr. Igwe has come to stay as far as we are concerned. We stand with the Honourable Minister on this one and will give him all the necessary support to see that this appointment stands.
“We were clamouring for somebody from the profession and someone was appointed to pilot the affairs of the Council and they are kicking.

“And look at these people who complaining, they don’t have the moral right to complain, because some of them have flouted the Council’s Act several times. When they came up with the 6:6:1:1: sharing formula for the purpose of electing freight forwarders into the Governing Council, did they follow due process or was it provided for by the Act? And now, because the odds did not favour them, they are crying foul and I can tell you authoritatively that there’s no validly accredited freight forwarding association in this country as at today.

“Yes, as individuals, they could have the locus to say whatever they are saying but not as association because their accreditation is not for ever or permanent. There’s a requirement for you to sustain your accreditation which one way or the other, they have ran foul of it. If you look at the section critically, they need to pay their annual subscription to remain accredited but most of these associations have not been paying their annual subscription yet they are still getting money from the Council. That’s sabotage!

“Again, if you look at the CEMA Law which provides that each registered company or incorporated trustees should make annual returns to the Corporate Affairs Commission, these people are sabotaging the government by not remitting their annual returns to the CAC. Go and check the status of these associations at the CAC and you will discover that some of them are inactive and dead, yet they don’t see that they have an obligation to fulfill to the government as good citizens of the country.

“They instead gang up together to challenge what the government has done in their own interest. This is unfair and we will not succumb to or agree with this development. Most of them have refused to fulfill their obligations as good citizens of this country.”Ogunojemite argued

The APFFLON boss, however, disclosed that the association has contacted its lawyers to commence processes for APFFLON to be joined in the legal action against the Honourable Minister as an interested party saying, “We know the Minister has taken the right decision and we know that it’s time for the industry to move forward. They need to reassess themselves to know if they are fit or not but we are categorically saying that some of them are no longer existing in the eyes of the law.”

“We have contacted our lawyers to commence processes for application for joinder as an interested party in the matter coming up in the court later this week because what they are seeking to achieve is not acceptable to us and they don’t have the locus standi to query the decision of the Minister in this case”, he concluded.
APFFLON’s stance highlights a significant divide within the freight forwarding community, as the debate over the appointment continues to unfold.