Aniebonma: NSC Behind CRFFN Woes

The Founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam has accused the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) of being responsible for the failure of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarders in Nigeria (CRFFN) to carry out a successful registration of freight forwarders in the maritime industry.

Featuring as a guest at a Round Table discussion with members of the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) in Lagos yesterday, Aniebonam accused the council of superintending over an alleged fraudulent election that created a foundation for CRFFN’s crisis.

Aniebonam who is known for his numerous battles and rich knowledge of the maritime industry blamed the NSC for using ownership of licenses issued by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as a criterion for eligibility to vote in the election that produced the maiden governing council instead of registering individuals in their personal capacities as freight forwarding professionals.

The unionist also alleged that NSC aided the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) to rig the first election which produced seven members of ANLCA in the Governing Council of CRFFN comprising of eight persons.

He argued that this was the basis the ANLCA had majority seats in the Council and used it to its full advantage.

Aniebonam argued that CRFFN is not an arm of the government but rather an independent organisation even as he added that is a plan under way to amend the law establishing the council to enable the president appoint the head of the board.

His words: “From the first election, NSC helped other groups to rig the election. That was how members from the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents produced seven members in the Governing Council and they decided to turn it an ANLCA affair. Are you aware that they have decided to amend the CRFFN Act 2007 so as to enable Mr. President appoint the head of the Board?”