APFFLON President inaugurates new chapters, calls for involvement of forwarders in cargo policy formulation

The Africa Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) on Thursday, October 10, 2024, inaugurated and sworn in the new executives of three chapters – Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT), Tin Can Island Port and Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA).

Performing the inauguration at the national headquarters of APFFLON at Ikeja, Lagos, the National President, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, charged the leaderships of the chapters to work with all the port stakeholders towards enhancement of trade facilitation.

Frank Ogunojemite noted that the vision of the association is to facilitate trade not only in Nigeria but in Africa, and urged all members, especially chapter leaders, to key in into the vision so as to cut down barriers affecting trade.

The APFFLON President expressed confidence in the capacity of the new executive members of performing but warned them not to work against the overall interest of the association.

On the state of cargo operations in the port, Ogunojemite said the drop in the volumes of cargo is as a result of fluctuation in the value of Naira and customs duties and called for a reduction in the customs duties to encourage to boost cargo volumes.

Encouraging the Federal Government to involve freight forwarders in her policy formulation, the APFFLON President urged the Nigeria Customs Service to further streamline its cargo operations saying the ‘846 code’ hinders clearance of vehicles. According to him, “it is a burden; we want an end to its use.”

The chairmen of the newly inaugurated chapters are Alhaji Olorunfemi Quadri, MMA; Alhaji Haruna Isiaku, KLT; and Alhaji Akeem Ayobiojo, Tin Can Island Port.

The Chairmen, however, promised to work for the progress of their members and the industry.