Freight forwarders not registered with CRFFN will be barred from operating at ports-Amaechi warns as he inaugurates Council.

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has warned that any freight forwarder not registered with the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria(CRFFN) will be barred from operating at the ports.

He sounded this note of warning today in Abuja during the inauguration of the Governing Council of the CRFFN.

The minster, who expressed displeasure at the unrestricted access into the port which he lamented has created an image problem for the nation’s ports, vowed to give the newly inaugurated council the needed political impetus to implement the provisions of the Act to the letter.

He disclosed that he would be discussing with the management of the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Ports Authority in a matter of days to ensure that this directive is carried out to the letters.

He lampooned the unruly behaviour of freight forwarders at the ports, especially the inter and intra-politics of the various freight forwarding associations which he condemned in strongest terms, saying this has created unstable and chaotic operating atmosphere at the ports.

“I have directed the NPA not to allow any freight forwarder not registered with the Council enter the port.

Also, am going to meet with the CGC not to allow any freight forwarder not registered with the Council to clear goods at the port.

“That is why the Americans are angry with us that our ports, which are supposed to be restricted areas, are not safe, that anybody, including Boko Haram, can gain access into vessels anchored at Nigeria’s waters” the minister said.

He charged the newly inaugurated council members to hit the ground running after their inauguration to sanitize the ports.

Amaechi however warned that he would not recognise any freight forwarders association because they are not known to the Act which established the council.

He also said that government would no longer tolerate their act of impunity as regards collection of illegal charges, fees and levies at the ports.

He threatened to unleash the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) on any association or individuals found to be engaging in such an illegal act.

“It is Federal Government ports and any money collected belongs to government.

“So unless you are appointed by the government to collect revenue on its behalf, if I discover that any association or individual collects government money, I will approach the Federal Executive Council with a memo directing the EFCC to recover any such illegal collection” the minister declared.

He also disclosed that some elements had written petitions to the National Assembly, asking that the Act which established the Council be repealed.

He lampooned the sponsors of the petition, saying they have no right to ask for the repeal of the Act.

Making a veiled reference to the likely delay of the inauguration of the Council as a result of the petition, he said his inauguration of the body was meant to dare the sponsors of the petition.

All the 32 members of the Council thereafter took oath of office after the minister had pronounced the council inaugurated.

The Chairman and his deputy, Alhaji Abubakar Tsanni and Henry Njoku respectively, were first to be administered with the oath.

The inauguration of the Council this Thursday finally put to rest the long wait, anxiety and unending postponements which the exercise has suffered in the past.

The 15 freight forwarders on the council were elected in July while the 17 appointed members have been staying on the wing since April when their appointment was confirmed.