Five Star Logistics Terminal Compulsory Payment of POF for Cargo Release
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By DAPO OLAWUNI
The Management of the Five Star Logistics Terminal, one of the Roll on-Roll off Terminal at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos has announced that henceforth, clearing agents who fails to pay Practitioners Operating Fee (POF) their Terminal Delivery Order (TDO) will not be treated accordingly to evacuate their cargoes.
In a widely circulated notice sighted by DAILY TREND on Tuesday, the Terminal states that “As informed earlier, and in line with CRFFN directive, agents should ensure payment of POF for cargoes exiting Five Star Logistics Terminal. Please be informed that no TDO (Terminal Delivery Order) will be treated without attaching evidence of their payment of POF”
The POF is a legal practising fee of N1,000 and N2000, which must be paid on every 20ft and 40ft containers exiting the ports. The fee has since been gazetted by the Federal Government, payble by clearing agents and freight forwarders.
The CRFFN in 2021 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Terminal Operators to confirm payment of POF before releasing cargoes.
The Council had lamented however that the revenue so far collected is a far cry from the Federal Government’s expectation.
According to the Registrar of the Council, Mrs Chinyere Uromta, majority of freight forwarders were resisting payment of the POF, while some are making underpayment.
Mrs Uromta in February 2024 embarked on a campaign to all freight forwarding associations, seeking their help on membership drive and to sensitize members on payment of the POF.
She implored the leadership of the various associations to assist the Council in registration of more members with the Council and further collaborate with it on POF payment as according to her, “the proceeds from the later will serve as return on investment and will be well utilized for the purpose of continuous training for freight forwarders.”
“Together, let us elevate the standards of freight forwarding in Nigeria, thereby contributing to a robust and seamlessly connected global supply chain network”, she added.
