ANLCA urges  members to support CRFFN on POF collection

Chinazor Megbolu

The National President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Mr. Tony Iju Nwabunike has mandated all members of the  association to comply with the directive by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) over the collection of  Practitioners’ Operating Fee (POF).

He made this known in a memo sent to all Chapters of the association in Lagos.

 Nwabunike also observed that the association as a body was established to serve as an umbrella body for all customs brokers and freight forwarders in Nigeria in line with the principles and procedures of the CRFFN as provided for under the Act No.16 of 2007.

ANLCA President further explained that members must live up to expectations hence complying with POF as mooted  by CRFFN.

He pointed out that ANLCA will ensure that members in the Governing Council are encouraged to move forward and focus on the realisation of their major aims for being in the CRFFN.

According to him; “that was the responsibility placed on them and the duty owed to the body as a whole”.

He noted that any statement resulting thereof as regards POF must be treated as a policy statement, which could and must only be issued by the President of the association or the National Secretary acting in their official capacity.

“That such policy must be conformed with by the members of the association as it is binding and that any other act to the contrary shall be null and void and should be seen and taken as trite bearing in mind the official powers inherent in those offices.

“The CRFFN being a body established by the Act of the Federal Government is endowed will all the proper organ of government required to adequately and sufficiently operate under the law.

“Thus our members are advised and must in fact be properly guided on their utterances and actions to ensure that it does not repress the position of Mr. President or the entire NECOM.

“Any utterance or action carried out by a member who does not represent the position of Mr. President or the entire NECOM shall be treated as a breach and as such sanctions shall be appropriately issued out in line with the breach.

“We need not be reminded that taking brief journey back in history, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) is one of the pioneers of the first and second Council, “he said.

Nwabunike, however, maintained that ANLCA must not be seen as anything else other than father in the CRFFN stressing It would be ridiculous for ANLCA to be seen as playing second fiddle

He added that ANLCA must not at any time be found wanting.

“It is expected that the ANLCA with proper and adequate support is to have a smooth and unhindered brief of professional operating fee soonest.

“ANLCA is fully in support of this directive as it will help enhance the education and enlightenment of its members and ensure that members are abreast of the dynamics of freight forwarding in the contemporary world and also improve the welfare of its members “Nwabunike said.

He further emphasized that there will be undoubtedly and definitely a beneficial and robust training of members towards ensuring that there is communal growth as the profession is dynamic and evolves with time.

“As a sign of good faith and in the interest of our members, our members in the CRFFN are to table a comprehensive monthly update to our members on the significant matters, activities and events that occurs within and around CRFFN.

“This is a way of illuminating the activities of the CRFFN and keeping our members in the know.

 “Without stressing any further on the need to comply with the directive of the federal government, be assured that this new professional development is for our communal good and for our collective growth as members of a single body.

“We all have our general interest at heart, so be rest assured that all we do is geared towards our progress, ”Nwabunike said.