*The P.O.F And The Stand Of APFFLON* 

*The P.O.F And The Stand Of APFFLON*

 After an extensive deliberation with government representatives and freight forwarders within and outside the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) on the recent imbroglio about collection of the Professional Operations Fee ( P.O.F), the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) hereby takes a stand.

APFFON advises that in the interest of freight forwarders, trade facilitators and the general public, the Regulation Agency,  CRFFN, should have a second critical look at implementation and collection of the P.O.F in our ports and borders.

The economy is already tensed and businesses are struggling to thrive.

Adding P.O.F to the cost of operation will only amount to multi-taxation as freight forwarders are already compelled to pay annual dues to the Council.

We believe that the duty to regulate an ever dynamic industry like ours should be done in accordance to global best practices, if we are truly sincere about the policy on Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria.

Even if it becomes imperative to implement the collection of P.O.F, we advise the council to embark on a national sensitisation campaign to enlighten the public and freight forwarders in particular on the need for the collection and how the P.O.F will be of benefit to them in the long-run.

We advise the CRFFN to, not only regulate but also invest in the welfare of individual registered members of the Council, by educating them in their chosen career and investing in their health and life insurance.

And finally, the collection of P.O.F shouldn’t be seen as an opportunity to criminally enrich personal purses or a cake to be shared among few on a round table.

 Otunba Frank Ogunojemite,

National President

*APFFLON*