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By Steve Agbota
Former President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr Eugene Nweke, has called on the Federal Government to set in motion a professional regulatory domestication processes that will encourage the culture of indemnity letter application in shipping and cargo clearance transactions in Nigerian shipping and aviation space.
Indemnity letter is an instrument that is meant to exonerate the freight forwarder of any wrongdoing in cargo transaction.
In his new year message, he said freight forwarders cannot continue to be blamed for the atrocities and non-compliance committed by importers and shippers, saying that freight forwarders are only given the Bill of Lading (BOL) which is ‘said to contain.’
According to him, the domestication, integration and application of the forwarding instructions by the International Federation of Freight Forwarders (FIATA) or Shippers Instructions document and the combination with an “indemnity letter” will absolve the freight forwarders from any undue transferred liabilities or potential losses, penalties, sanctions, among others.
He said the desired professional regulation will also boost compliance level with regards to national trade laws and cargo declaration for Customs purposes.
“It will improve professional integrity rating, it will be an added edge to booster specialities and competitiveness, especially so, in the face of requisite professional participation in the AfCTA implementation regime.
“It is a height time to resolve to being proactive and take firm stands towards resisting undue, unhealthy professional name callings and negative industry placements by many stakeholders.
“Freight Forwarders must collectively and purposefully resist the common and quick referencing as a weaker link instead of stronger link in the international trade, safety and security supply chain.
“It is therefore, worth noting in this new year professional message that, the best time for a purposeful professional unification devoid of association nomenclature divides is now,” he said.
