CRFFN Outlines Procedures for POF Payment, Says Fee Would Boost Nigeria’s Participation in AfCFTA

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By  DAPO OLAWUNI
Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has rolled out the processes to be followed by importers in payment of the controversial Practitioners Operations Fees (POF) at Nigerian Ports.
CRFFN’s technical partners on the POF collection; SW Global Limited stated that any freight forwarder who is not registered with the Council would not be able to make the payment.
According to the firm “To pay for POF, you must be an existing and registered freight forwarder with your membership number, such a person must have completed up to date payment of all subscription dues, and must not be indebted to CRFFN in any way”
“After this, you can access the CRFFN website, login with your membership number and provide the bill of laden number.
“The system would then display the applicable fee for you to pay on the particular cargo, thereafter, you make payment. If there are any discrepancy in the amount you are asked to pay, you still have to pay the money, then you click on ‘report dispute’ to make your complaints”
The firm have equally explained that the process of freight forwarders registering with the CRFFN has been simplified.
“To register as a freight forwarder; Visit CRFFN website, select application type (Corporate or Individual member) fill out the application form, make payment, obtain your membership number and login details”
“For corporate membership, you need to provide two directors, details of registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as well as office details”
“The registration would be processed within five days, your e-mail address is very important during the registration process”
The company was however silent on requirements for registering an individual member operating without a corporate license.
Meanwhile, the Registrar of the CRFFN, Barr Mike Nwakohu has said that payment of the POF would help Nigeria build real capacity for effective participation in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)
Nwakohu who stated this in Lagos on Tuesday adder that there is need for Nigeria to compete effectively on the global platform.
According to him “the POF is a win win for the government and the practitioners with the promise of organized collective action against the numerous threats including foreign intrusion and dominance and near absence of local content participation in oil and gas services”

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