NAGAFF chairman appeals to CGC to organize town hall meeting with freight forwarders on the field

The Chairman of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Tin Can Island Chapter, Chief Emeka Paul Chiedozie has appealed to the

Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi to urgently call a town hall meeting and hear directly from freight forwarders on the field about their operational challenges.

Speaking with a cross section of maritime journalists on behalf of his members, in his Tin Can Island, Apapa, Lagos office, Chiedozie said solutions and suggestions from experienced freight forwarders who are practicing on the field will be more useful than those who sit under air-conditioned offices and use pen and paper to package petitions or recommendations.

His words: “CGC please, come and speak directly with practicing freight forwarders that are generating the revenue. Let’s rub minds together on the way forward. For instance, the current rate of clearing one 40ft container from the port is almost more than what’s inside the container which is very frustrating”.

Chiedozie who is also the Managing Director/CEO of Seagold Limited also commended the Tin-can Island Port Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Adekunle Oloyede for encouraging freight forwarders into exports business.

The commendation is coming on the heels of the success recorded by command which a total of 291,436.43 metric tonnes in the first half of this year.

“I am very excited that within a few months of Federal Government lifting embargo on exports cargoes, the non-oil export has grown with 153,189.93 metric tonnes through Free On Board (FOB) in the first half of this 2023 from the 138,246.5 metric tonnes it recorded in the corresponding year 2022.

“With the increasing rate of bigger vessels coming to Tin Can Island Port of recent, I am not surprised by the revenue generated from January to June 2023, the goods exported through Tin Can Island Port Complex (TICPC) increased from 138,246.5 (MT) to 291,436.43 (MT) representing an increase of 110.8% when compared to 2022, going by the NCS statistics report.

“I remember few months ago, I encouraged members of NAGAFF, Tin Can Island Chapter to diversify into exports, those who took advantage of that opportunity, are all smiling and thanking me today. Life is all about opportunities. So, freight forwarding business, is meant for the professionals and those who are hard working and knows the technicalities involved in clearing. That’s why I encourage all my young NAGAFF chapter members to learn the job before running after money. With your job experience, a lot of people would see you as consultant, engage you each time they make mistake during declaration,” he stressed.

Chiegozie gave advice on some agricultural products that are exportable and lucrative which include Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Beans, Cashew Nut, Sesame Seeds, Rubber, Empty bottles and copper ingots and woods.