CRFFN aborts strike action by freight forwarders - promises to tackle their grievances in 14 days.

The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, (CRFFN) has promised to engage the Nigeria Customs authority over the issues raised by the agitating freight forwarders for which they threatened to embark on a strike action.

The aggrieved customs brokers, under the aegis of Concerned Freight Forwarders in the Western Zone, had complained about the multiplicity of clearance procedures by the Nigeria Customs Service which they said has resulted to hike in goods clearance.

They had therefore threatened to go on strike if the issues are not resolved.

However, Barrister Nwakohu Samuel, the Registrar of CRFFN has stepped into the matter, asking the aggrieved Customs brokers to sheath their swords.

He reiterated the resolve of his regime to run an all-encompassing administration, as he promised to make himself and his team accessible to all stakeholders for efficient delivery of the mandate of the Council.

Barrister Nwakohu gave the assurance on Monday in his office at the Council Headquarters in Marina, Lagos when he received in audience a Group of Concerned Freight Forwarders from Western Zone who threatened to shut down the Ports for issues militating against timely cargo clearance in Ports leading to exorbitant payment of demurrage.

The CRFFN Chief Executive stated that his administration is poised to opening up of multiple channels of communication to enable quick response to issues affecting the industry.

He expressed appreciation to the group for honouring the invitation and resolved to make representation on the issue to appropriate quarter with a view of finding a lasting solution.

He therefore directed the Group stay action on the proposed strike and gave the Council 14 working days to address the issues and revert to them.

The Registrar further enjoined that henceforth, all aggrieved Freight Forwarders should not contemplate strike action or acts that could affect the economy adversely without recourse to the Council as a Regulatory Agency.

He said the Council was established to serve and protect the interest of Freight Forwarding Practitioners and called for their support and co-operation in order to re-position the sub-sector.

Earlier in his speech on behalf of the group, Mr. Ndubisi Uzoegbu outlined their grievances ranging from multiple Customs checkpoints, bad road network leading to high cost of transportation, high cost of demurrage making the 24 hours cargo clearance a mirage.

They lamented that the recent deployment of a special team from Abuja to inspect 3rd party cargo at the Ports is most worrisome as it has led to excessive days in cargo clearance.