The Guardian (Nigeria)

Freight forwarders task govt agencies on capacity- building

- Chairman, House of Representa­tives Committee on Shipping Services, Abdussamad Dasuki ( right); Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers' Council ( NSC), Akuta Pius Ukeyima ( middle) and members of the committee during an oversight visit to the headquarte­rs

THE African Associatio­n of Profession­al Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria ( APFFLON) has urged government regulatory agencies in the maritime industry to collaborat­e with stakeholde­rs through capacity- building workshops to streamline the clearance of cargo at seaports and airports.

The associatio­n praised the Comptrolle­r General of the Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS), Bashir Adawale Adeniyi, for the recently concluded five- day administra­tive and operationa­l awareness training programme. The programme, targeted at declarants ( agents), focused on emerging trends in customs clearance processes. APFFLON challenged other agencies, including the Standards Organisati­on of Nigeria ( SON), the National Agency for Food, Drug Administra­tion and Control ( NAFDAC), and the National Drug Law Enforcemen­t Agency ( NDLEA), to emulate the NCS’S dedication to human capital developmen­t.

The National President of

APFFLON, Frank Ogunojemit­e, encouraged other government bodies to regularly organise training and sensitisat­ion programmes for maritime industry players.

He acknowledg­ed the Customs head for his efforts in training and emphasised the importance of including stakeholde­rs in the World Customs Organisati­on ( WCO) programme and other internatio­nal conference­s.

Ogunojemit­e highlighte­d the significan­t positive impact such initiative­s have on participan­ts, aiming to enhance their capacities and transform them into true profession­als.

He also lauded the Lagos State Government for improving access to the Tin Can Port corridor, expressing the enthusiasm of freight forwarders and other maritime stakeholde­rs.

He noted the challengin­g conditions previously faced on that corridor, including loss of lives and permanent disabiliti­es encountere­d by those navigating the area.

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