CRFFN Commissions Enforcement Officers

The Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria
(CRFFN) on Monday commissioned the first batch of its enforcement officers.

The officers are to enforce the provisions of the council’s
Act No 16 of 2007.

Mr Mike Jukwe, the Registrar of CRFFN, who disclosed this at
the passing out ceremony in Lagos, said that 23 enforcement officers were
commissioned.

Jukwe said that the CRFFN had, in 2010, advertised for the
registration, verification and accreditation of freight forwarders from which
it registered 1,435 individuals, 405 corporate bodies and accredited two
associations.

He said that the training for the 23 officers started on
Aug. 22, 2012.

“Although the course was limited in scope, it is the
beginning of the series of intensive training programmes lined up for
enforcement officers of the council whose primary aim is to enforce the
provisions of the law enabling the council,’’ Jukwe said.

He said that during the period of training, the officers
received both practical and theoretical training on basic and rudimentary foot
drills as well as physical education.

The Registrar said that the officers were also enlightened
on their functions as enforcement officers to arrest and investigate.

According to him, the CRFFN Act No 16 of 2007 spells out all
about enforcement, self defence mechanism, among others.

“The Directorate of Registration and Enforcement attached
great importance to this beginners’ course by employing the respected
principles of the Special Investigation Bureau of the Nigerian Army,’’ Jukwe
said.

He said that the course took into cognisance the peculiarity
of the terrain of the ports.

Jukwe said that only registered and inducted freight
forwarders as well as accredited associations of freight forwarders would be
allowed to practise henceforth, while offenders would be prosecuted.

He recalled that the Attorney General of Federation and
Minister of Justice inaugurated the Freight Forwarders investigative panel and
Freight Forwarders Disciplinary Tribunal on April 30, 2011.

Mr Danjuma Dauda, a member of CRFFN Governing Council who
represented the Federal Ministry of Transport, said that in spite of the
teething problems, the council was able to deliver on its mandate.

“I thank ports stakeholders, who have over the years stood
firmly behind the council, the Nigerian Shippers Council and the NIMASA for
making useful contributions to the council,’’ Dauda said.

Mr Kunle Folarin, the Chairman of Ports Consultative Council
(PCC), said that freight forwarders were the most important segment of freight
forwarding business in Nigeria.

“They are the most important practitioners in the maritime
industry. Freight Forwarders are the custodian of cargo interest in Nigeria.

“Without the cargo, there would be no shipping and without
shipping there will be no port. Freight forwarders are very important in the
shipping chain.

“Ever since, ship owners curry the favour of the freight
forwarders because without the forwarders giving them the cargo, the ship owners
will fold up,’’ Folarin said.

He said that his council would give the CRFFN maximum
support.