…creates over 50,000 jobs

By Providence Ayanfeoluwa

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF has called on government agencies in the maritime sector to step up their game to be in tune with the standard global practices, so as to favorably compete with other ports, ensuring more cargo vessels call country’s ports

Also, the association said it created jobs for over 50,000 young people, thereby reducing the effects of social vices that unemployment causes.

Speaking at the NAGAFF Silver Jubilee Anniversary/N500 million permanent secretariat acquisition themed: “The Role of Freight Forwarders in The Logistics Supply Chain; “The Story of NAGAFF” National President of NAGAFF, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, appealed to the Minister of Blue & Marine Economy to have a critical look at issues around poor services, arbitrary increase of duty and port charges, operational inefficiency, illegal activities of non-state actors, within and around the ports, among others, and find a lasting solution to them.

He also appealed to shipping companies and terminal operators to stop chasing young freight forwarders away from their facilities.

Ezisi said: “You need them much as they need you. I thank the Nigeria Custom Service, NCS, Nigeria Port Authority, NPA and every other government agency at the port for all their support to our members and also appeal that you continue to support them as they go about their various businesses, that their added value to national development can never be over-emphasized

His words: “The birth of NAGAFF revolutionized the freight forwarding industry. It emancipated freight forwarders from the shackles and hand of oppressors who hitherto has held them down. It marked the enthronement of professionalism in the industry wherein practitioners had to key into the vision of genuine and honest declarations which in turn tripled the huge Revenue generations of the Customs.

NAGAFF as a public advocacy group has ensured that all revenue due to Government through import duties & exercise fees are duly and promptly paid by all practitioners. To realize this noble course, she set up various arms and committee that took day and night to realize. This goal in collaboration with the customs has helped to block all areas of revenue leakages by ensuring that the trading public is compliant with the extant law as enshrined in the revised CEMA Acts 2023. In the years under review, we have the constantly engaged the custom customs through constant dialogue to solidify the bond between us for optimal

We have been contributing and will always contribute to the growth of our GDP. We are committed to the growth of international trade by facilitating the movement of goods and services across international borders.

“We have created jobs for over 50,000 young people, thereby reducing the effects of social vices that unemployment causes. Ordinarily, these younger ones would have taken to crime which will create a state of insecurity but NAGAFF has created that platform for them to add value to their lives and families.”