16 years of poor service delivery : APFFLON raises alarm over retention of Webb Fontaine by Customs

16 years of poor service delivery :
APFFLON raises alarm over retention of Webb Fontaine by Customs

…Urges FG to unmask owners of
Webb Fontaine

….Says Webb Fontaine out to sabotage Nigeria’s economy, as losses incurred by port users mount daily

The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has condemned in totality the inefficiencies and epileptic service delivery by Webb Fontaine Nigeria Limited, which has resulted into economic losses and crippling operations of maritime traders at Nigeria’s Sea Ports and Terminals.

The President of APFFLON, Mr. Frank Ogunojemite demanded to know the intrigues behind constant failure of the services of Webb Fontaine Ltd, which is the company responsible for provision of Information Technology (IT), Telecom Infrastructure and network management to Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Speaking during a roundtable talk-show programme with Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN), Mr. Ogunojemite lamented frequent difficulties experienced by freight forwarders in clearing their cargo, as a result of frequent server breakdown, which connotes inefficiencies on the part of Webb Fontaine Ltd.

According to him, these infractions resulted in monumental economic losses to importers and freight forwarders.
Otunba Ogunojemite said,” Government needs to investigate the activities of Webb Fontaine from the date of their engagement till now”.

He pointed out :  “Webb Fontaine was engaged in 2006 to provide services to Nigeria Customs in the area of information technology deployment, to make Customs operations effective and seamless, also to block leakages and increase revenue for government.

However, the APFFLON boss expressed strong displeasure
that this objective has so far fallen short, as there are lots of hiccups in the operations of the Server, resulting in financial losses to stakeholders in the port industry.

His words : “There is no sensitisation, or stakeholders’ engagement by Webb Fontaine on its operations; or any regret nor public apology for the losses importers and other Port users have incurred, leaving aggrieved users to blame Customs Officials and the NCS management for server disruption.

He frowned : “Webb Fontaine does not have help desks or contact offices at Ports and Terminals. Rather, the company stations its offices at choice locations in cities, whereas its services are for ports and terminals.

“Numerous challenges in Nigeria’s port system are attributed to the company- Web Fontane. Findings have shown that the Dubai-based company operates a seamless and hitch free process in Dubai while subjecting Nigerians to gross inefficiencies and with this, we can conclude that the company’s actions were deliberate to sabotage Nigeria’s economy.

“For example, since last week, no server at PTML, as well as other terminals.”