Transport Ministry directs CRFFN to commence POF collection

Notwithstanding the disagreements within its fold, the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has been directed by the Federal Ministry of Transport to commence collection of the controversial Professional Operating Fee (POF).

The Ministry’s Director of Maritime Services, Musa Nagogo issued the directive through a letter dated 15^th July 2015.

It is however not clear if a court case instituted against the Ministry, CRFFN, the Attorney-General of the Federation and four registered freight forwarding associations at the Federal High Court, Lagos would not stall the directive.

Nagogo’s letter reads: “The Honourable Minister of Transport had approved the collection of Practitioners’ Operating Fees (POF) vide a letter referenced T.4252/s.46/C.3/1/177 dated 26th February, 2015 for the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) to collect Practitioners’ Operating Fees.

“Further to the Resolutions reached at the Stakeholders meeting held on 3rd July, 2015, the Ministry hereby informs the Nigeria Customs Service, all registered freight forwarders, all seaports terminal operators, all airports cargo terminal handlers and the general public that CRFFN is hereby authorized to immediately commence the collection of Practitioners’ Operating Fee (POF)”.

He also stated that the CRFFN Governing Council election, which would be conducted “as soon as possible”, should be funded with part of the proceeds from the POF.

Nagogo said the 35% subvention out of the POF to the associations should be kept in an accrual account pending the resolutions of the sharing formula by the five accredited associations.

He further stated that “the five accredited freight forwarders’ associations should meet to agree on the sharing formula of the subvention fees within one month from the date of the meeting of 3^rd July,2015 and report back to the Ministry”.