POF Collection: ANLCA Threatens to Cripple Commercial Activities At TICT Terminal
By DAPO OLAWUNI
The Tin Can Island Port Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has threatened to cripple commercial activities at the Tin Can Island Port over the insistence of a terminal operator; TICT Terminal on payment of POF before cargoes are released.
The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) on 1st of March, 2021 commenced the collection of the controversial Practitioners Operating Fee (POF) at ports. TICT Terminal subsequently announced that any freight forwarder who fails to provide receipt of payment of the POF would not be allowed to take delivery of their cargoes.
In a notice to all her members at Tin Can Port signed by its Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Idowu Owoade, ANLCA argued that the matter of the POF collection at Tin Can Island Port is currently before the law courts and it amounts to an illegality and disregard for the law, if the CRFFN carries on with collection.
According to ANLCA, the law law Suit NO: FCH/L/CS/1424/2018 is between TITLAY INVESTMENT LIMITED and the CRFFN.
Investigations by DAILY TREND NEWS last week revealed that the payment of the POF has commenced successfully as our correspondent obtained receipts from stakeholders who paid the money.
Officially the POF attracts N1,000 on 20ft containers at and N2,000 on 40ft containers, most importantly, the money is paid by the named declarant on the import documents.
ANLCA said it has officially written the Nigerian Police Force, the DSS Tin Can Port, Nigerian Shippers Council, Nigeria Customs Service Tin Can Island Command, the NPA and all other relevant agencies and stakeholders notifying them of the pocketing of TICT Terminal.
“Our attention had been drawn to the illegality perpetrated by CRFFN in the compulsory payment of POF which is expected to be pald before writing of TDO (Terminal Delivery Order)
“We discovered that they have been forcefully attached the payment as a condition to the writing of TDO at Tincan Island Container Terminal (TICT) and they have commenced the action without any prior notification
“Our stand on this act is attached to the above court case pending the determination of the case before the court. It ls an act of illegality and unlawful action considering the fact that the case is In court”
“It is on this note that we are planning on picketing the Tincan Island Container Terminal (TICT) on a peaceful demonstration with the support of Nigeria Police Force and all other relevant security agencies”
“The date and time wlll be communicated to you all very soon”
“Out Interest ls basically attached to the protection of our member‘s interest. We will not condone any act of illegality in our industry”
