POF Collection, Nwabunike Reiterates Support

Chinazor Megbolu

The National President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Hon. Iju Tony Nwabunike had reiterated the group support for Practitioners Operating Fee (POF) collection by the Council for the Registration of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).

He made this known during a chat in Lagos and said the reason for the support was as a result of the incentives they would get in return for investments made in terms of members payment of POF.

Nwabunike also explained that aside percentages, other reasons are that their members would be trained, as well as insurance and welfare of members are assured.

He also noted that in time past, it wasn’t so because there was never a return on investment on every payment made in the line of duties as it’s obtainable with the present POF collection.

Nwabunike pointed out that they will go against it if any money is not receipted.

On revenue collection by all agencies, he stated that it is worrisome and queried how can they be able to meet target after ban on importation of rice and other products that would have made it possible.

According to him; “collection of money by all agencies in the ports is worrisome. How do you meet target after banning importation of goods that would have made it possible”.

He further hinted that the call up system is still achievable in the next 10 years as obtainable in some other African countries like Ghana and Cote D’ivoire.

On crisis in ANLCA, Nwabunike maintained there’s nothing like that and that the reason behind the executive members not attending functions together is due to division of labour and not because of crisis.

He, however, posited that the leadership of the association is working seriously to help members who voted for them because they are suffering.

On Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nwabunike averred the agency is doing a lot but the problem is lack of sensitisation for people to know they are actually doing great work.

“SON is doing a great job but the problem is lack of sensitisation for people to know what they’re doing. We must jointly fight fake products.

“We need to bring in our customers and tell them it is not about SON seizing their products but by them doing the right thing, “Nwabunike said.