Clearing Agents Urge Oyetola To Audit POF Collection At Seaports

The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (AFPPLON) has petitioned the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, demanding a comprehensive audit of the Practitioners Operating Fees (POF) collected and a critical reassessment of existing freight forwarding associations.

President of APFFLON, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, in a letter dated 18th July and addressed to the Minister, cited concerns over transparency in the POF collection and the sustainability of ongoing reforms within the nation’s freight forwarding sector.

Ogunojemite urged Oyetola to direct the Managing Director of SW Global, Nura Umar,  to submit a detailed account of all POF collected to the Minister’s office and the Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).

The demand for transparency, Ogunojemite noted, aligns directly with the Minister’s recent pronouncements on accountability during the National Single Window seminar.

While acknowledging the commendable efforts by the CRFFN to foster professionalism and capacity building, Ogunojemite warned that the foundation of the reforms is under serious threat due to the current state and conduct of some registered freight forwarding associations.

The letter reads, “The lack of uniformity in compliance, poor ethical standards, weakening representation, and internal leadership crises within many of these associations are eroding public trust and destabilising the regulatory goals the Ministry and CRFFN have worked diligently to implement. Without timely intervention, these groups may inadvertently collapse the very reforms intended to strengthen the industry.

“In light of this, I respectfully urge you to direct the Registrar of the CRFFN to immediately carry out a comprehensive reassessment and revalidation of all freight forwarding associations in Nigeria. This process should include, but not be limited to: Verifying compliance with CRFFN regulations and ethical standards; Auditing membership credibility and internal governance structures; Evaluating each association’s contribution to professional development and industry growth; and Disbanding or restructuring associations found to be non-compliant or counterproductive to national objectives.

“This reassessment is critical not only to restore order and professionalism but also to ensure that only credible associations continue to partner with the government in advancing the goals of the Marine and Blue Economy sector.

“Also, as you have advocated during the National Single Window seminar at the Mariot hotel on transparency and accountability. Please instruct Alhaji Nura Umar MD SW Global to make an account of the total POF collected at your office and the CRFFN registrar

“Your timely directive in this regard will not only save the industry from impending collapse but will also preserve your administration’s legacy of transformative leadership and sectoral reform.

“I trust in your wisdom and commitment to repositioning our maritime economy for global competitiveness.

“Thank you for your anticipated action and enduring service to our nation.”