The Nigerian Institute in
Lagos  of Freight Forwarders last Tuesday enjoined all registered freight forwarders to sharpen their skills by updating their knowledge.
The institute urged them to take advantage of the commencement of the Mandatory Professional Development programme to be abreast of global practice.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the institute, Mr Valentino Buoro, told newsmen that members needed to update their skills in line with the dynamism of international practise.
He said that the kick-off of the programme at the weekend would be another milestone in the history of maritime operations in the country.
Buoro said it would be as the first time that freight forwarders would take advantage of their new status to affirm their commitment to life-long learning in a field with international dimensions.
“Unlike in most other professions in Nigeria, every act of a registered freight forwarder has some international impact because goods are either being imported or exported out of Nigeria,” Buoro said.
He said the freight forwarding would always impact on the contract of the foreigner either for timely and safe delivery of goods to a Nigerian buyer or receiving goods by a foreign buyer.
According the constant flow of transactions could also affect the country’s financial wellbeing.
“Activities of the freight forwarder will either impact on the contract of the foreign seller to deliver goods in timely and safe conditions to a Nigerian buyer. “Or it can impact on the right of a foreign buyer to receive goods he bought from a Nigerian businessman”, he declared.
“This constant flow of transactions affects the nation`s financial wellbeing and international image.”
Buoro also called for a greater interest on the part of government on issues that affected the smooth flow of operations of freight forwarders.
He said if the practitioners were now taking the pains to update their skills in keeping with globally accepted standards, there was a need for reciprocal actions by other international trade functionaries.
“Such functionaries as the Nigeria Customs Service and their sister government agencies should look at this and accord freight forwarders greater respect in the discharge of their functions,” Buoro said.
The scribe promised that the registered freight forwarders disciplinary committee would always be available to tackle complaints and disagreements between members and their clients.
“There can be mistakes and disagreement between forwarders and their clients, but the registered freight forwarders’ disciplinary tribunal, constituted by nine members of the council, will resolve them amicably.”
He, however, said that no matter shall be referred to the tribunal without having first going through the scrutiny of the registered freight forwarders’ investigating panel.
He noted that the setting up of such disciplinary structures by law was a clear signal to practitioners and their clients that freight forwarding in Nigeria was no longer business as usual.