The Minister of Transport; Mr. Rotimi Amaechi
There are indications that the Minister of Transport; Mr. Rotimi Amaechi and the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) are set to probe the alleged illegal collection of Practitioners Operating Fees (POF) by a frontline clearing and forwarding association in the maritime sector (names withheld).
Already, Shipping Position Daily gathered that the office of the National Security Adviser is worried about reports sent to it by rival associations that the frontline association has been collecting the POF illegally at some seaports, borders and airports across the country.
A reliable source who spoke with our correspondent in Lagos yesterday hinted that the NSA’ office is worried because the illegal collection runs into billions of Naira. To buttress this, Shipping Position Daily investigations revealed that Mr Amaechi has also invited the major clearing and forwarding associations for a meeting in Abuja, the meeting is scheduled to hold on 24th of February, 2016.
The letter sighted by our correspondent at the port yesterday with reference number; Ref T.431/S.72/53 dated 8th February 2016 was signed on behalf of the Minister by Deputy Director, ICD, Mr. Ekawu P.O. The invitation reads: "I am directed to invite you to a meeting with the ministry to discuss issues bothering on an alleged illegal collection at the nation's ports forwarded to the Ministry from the office of the National Security Adviser" "The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 24th February 2016 by 1pm prompt at Ministry's Conference room 8th floor".
A reliable source who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that a foremost clearing and forwarding association is kicking against the collection of POF. The group is reported to be behind the petition, upon which the NSA acted and for which the Transport Minister is acting. The petition fingered a leading clearing agents association for allegedly collecting illegal fees at both the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and the Onne seaport.
Our source, in a clear reference to the face-off over the collection of Practitioners Operations Fees by the CRFFN, recalled the court case that was initiated by one of the freight forwarding associations. "As I speak with you, the matter is in court, they are challenging the government openly, We have had series of meetings at the ministry, but I think this one is different, (Transport Minister) Amaechi is now showing interest in their case, especially at this time of corruption inside the ports, they might even be proscribed", he stated.
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