CRFFN: POF Collections Will Be Paid into TSA

The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has assured Nigerians, especially stakeholders in the nation’s seaports that the Practitioners’ Operating Fees (POF) will be paid into the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

The Registrar of CRFFN, Samuel Nwakohu, stated this during a demonstration of the online POF payment procedures to journalists in Lagos.

He said the collection of POF has fully commenced, adding that the agency is ready to absorb the backlash and address potential challenges that confront freight forwarders.

The processes were outlined in eight steps from the point of access to the CRFFN Portal, to membership login, generate POF, enter Bill of Lading (BoL) number, system validation of BoL, payments which could be made at commercial banks, e-waller or card (internet banking), print receipt and present at terminal for cargo clearance.

Speaking at the conference, Nwakohu noted that CRFFN was yet to fully integrate its online platform with the terminal operators, hence the terminal operators would rely on an Excel sheet on payments from CRFFN to release cargoes.

He said: “Until we have an integration with terminal operators, they would have an Excel sheet where the details will appear as soon as the POF receipt is printed.

“That Excel sheet would be provided because as the POF receipt is generated, the information is also stored on the portal, which we would print and send to the terminal operators.

“I can say that we have driven POF to have a logical process. All the processes have been highlighted today in this launch. The terminal operators would verify the receipts before the cargoes exit the ports.”

The CRFFN boss described the process as an easy one for all freight forwarders who can read and write, stating that the processes have been sent to all accredited associations as well as mobile application.

“It is as simple as sending a text message. However, there is also a support group comprising 16 men and you would have to unveil to pin to them. This is a risk such freight forwarders would have to bear. The process can be completed via one’s mobile phone or a laptop,” he added.

He also stressed that the collection would be as transparent as possible, even as he stated that he was expecting calls and social media queries as backlash following the commencement of POF collection.

Nwakohu, said the council has commenced the collection, which is an internally generated revenue (IGR) for the federal government and all parties involved.

With the new initiative, he said the council would now be fully equipped to effectively regulate freight forwarding in the country adding that ass a noble profession; freight forwarding is not an all comers’ affair.

The council, he revealed, has over the years been under funded, stating it only gets N2.7 million from the government every month when only overheads is also in that region.

“With that kind of situation, it became extremely difficult to run the place. POF I am told is one of the ways to generate revenue. For one year we have been on it, we went to ICRC to make a business case, the Federal Executive Council has approved our plan.

“We have been able to integrate our platform with the NPA and the NCS and we are negotiating with the NCAA. By the time we conclude our negotiation with NCAA, the airports and land borders will also join the cue.”

He said the council hopes to surpass the projected N5 billion annually as the clearing of a 20ft container will attract N1,000 while a 40ft container will attract N2,000.

The CRFFN boss added that contrary to opinion in some quarter, POF will reduce the cost of doing business at the Nigerian seaports.

Nwakohu, stated that it is mischievous when people say that that POF collection would add to the cost of doing business.

“It will not add to the cost of doing business rather it will reduce the cost of doing business in several ways. POF is that service charge that a freight forwarder charges his client. For example, if the service charge for 20ft container is N20, 000, we are asking the freight forwarder to pay us N1, 000 out of that money. From that N1, 000, we will be able to train him; we will be able to look into other issues.

“Nothing comes free, for us to equip you for tomorrow; we need some funds to be able to help you. You can’t go to any school at all without being able to pay for it. So, for me, I believe that it will bring down the cost of doing business because the man who is the beneficiary, at the end of the day will be better equipped on how to go about his business. It will no longer be an all comers’ affair,” he said.