Lagos — The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has said that it would commence registration of all freight forwarders in the country by next month.

Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Council Sir Juke Mike said at a news conference yesterday in Lagos that the move was to standardize the practice and business of freight forwarding in line with international demand.

He decried the manner in which non-descript freight forwarders perpetrate frauds in the ports. He said the proposed registration would curb such practice. He said the new CRFFN is poised to take the practice of freight forwarding to another level through pro-active programmes.

Some of these programmes which are in its 10 point agenda include the establishment of the Nigeria Institute of Freight Forwarders to be accredited by the National Board of Technical Education for the admission and training of individual fright forwarders as well as accreditation of six local tertiary institutions spread among the geo-political zones in the country.

He also said that the Council will establish a Freight Forwarders Disciplinary Tribunal and collaborate with other accredited international institutions for international exchange programmes on capacity building. Chairman of the Governing Council of CRFFN Mr. Iju Tony Nwabunike urged stakeholders to support the Council in its bid to professionalise the business of freight forwarding in the country. He said CRFFN will equally justify the confidence repose in it by discharging its responsibilities effectively.

"I wish to, on behalf of the Council pledge to do our best to ensure that the labours of all those who fought for this cause will never be in vain and we will also justify the confidence reposed on us as pioneers in navigating the freight forwarding ship in Nigeria."