The federal government has solicited the cooperation of freight forwarders to advance Nigeria’s blue economy initiative.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by his technical adviser, Busayo Fakinlade, at a training programme said a committee had been established to review all levies charged by agencies under the ministry.
“The ministry is committed to ensuring there are no multiple levies imposed on businesses within the maritime sub-sector,” Mr Oyetola said.
He further disclosed that consultations were ongoing with the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Ports Authority, and Nigeria Shippers Council, among other agencies, to harmonise charges.
“Ultimately, a policy statement will be issued to advance the maritime sub-sector forward,” the minister added.
Participants at the training programme included representatives from key freight forwarding associations such as the National Association of Government-Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and the National Association of Air Freight Forwarders and Consolidators (NAFFAC).
Others are the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN), the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), and the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA).