Customs agents reverse decision on POFs, plans to withdraw case
The Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has decided to support the collection of Ports Practising Fees (POF) at the nation’s sea ports by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).
The issues has generated crisis before now, and has led to litigation in a bid by ANLCA to stop the collection of the fees.
But the association had at the emergency meeting of National Executive Council (NEC) at weekend decided to withdraw the case from court.
The association however gave conditions for its support for the collection, insisting that the governing board of CRFFN must be in place before the collection begins.
The association also wants the modalities to achieve this to be made public.
The Registrar of the CRFFN, Sir Mike Jukwe was said to have assured members of ANLCA during the meeting that members of the Board of CRFFN would be in place 90 days after the commencement of POF collection.
ANLCA during the meeting with Jukwe pledged to withdraw pending cases against Council in court, on the condition that practical structures (gazette of FGN) are put in place, as part of the of the decisions taken at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Transportation recently.
On the missing names of some practitioners on the subsisting list of CRFFN gazette, the registrar promised to rectify the problem in the next gazette – which is a sub-legislation instrument, due to be published soon.
During the meeting, the National President of ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu announced the dissolution of all adhoc/standing national committees except the one on constitution review headed by the Chairman of Seme Border Chapter- Barr. Lasisi Bisiriyu Fanu.
The National President appointed Pius Ujubuonu, senior special adviser to the National President on shipping companies and terminal operations; Comrade Aloy Anokwuru- SSA2NP on revenue generation while Alhaji Dele Azeez- remains as coordinator of the West African Customs Brokers Association, with projected headquarters as Nigeria/ANLCA.
The immediate past National Publicity Secretary, Dr Obicee Okonkwo was appointed director of Publicity and will work with the National Publicity Secretary- Dr. Kayode Farinto.
The Secretary of the BOT, Prince Taiye Micheal Oyeniyi also announced a list of 7 names as members of the newly constituted ASECO in accordance with provisions of the supreme constitution of ANLCA 2008(as amended).
