SEREC Tasks Freight Forwarders on Unity for Common Interest, Technological Advancement
By Francis Ugwoke
The Sea Empowerment and Research Center (SEREC) has challenged freight forwarders to wake up to the reality of the changing landscape and adapt to the evolving trends and regulatory requirements.
SEREC also said it is time for the leaders in the freight forwarding industry to wake up from their slumber and unite against that which divides its common interests.
Head of Research in SEREC, Fwdr Eugene Nweke Rff, said freight forwarders must rise to harness the power of technology, work together to advance the profession, and promote compliance.
Noting that the freight forwarding industry is currently at a crossroad, he said the future of the industry depends on technology.
According to Nweke in a press statement, “We urge industry leaders to take immediate action to address the challenges facing the industry. This includes embracing technology, collaborating with stakeholders, prioritizing professionalism, harnessing CRFFN benefits, protecting local interests, and investing in professional development. Together, we can build a more efficient, compliant, and sustainable freight forwarding industry in Nigeria.
“ It’s time for the leaders to wake up from their slumber and unite against that which divides its common interests, determine to pursue and align with the global commity of freight forwarding nation for the global advancement of the freight forwarding profession”.
The freight forwarding industry in Nigeria, he added, is at a critical juncture, where leadership evolution is imperative to navigate the complexities of government reforms and technological advancements.
Part of the statement reads:
“The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is modernizing and embracing technology, while the leadership of freight forwarding associations is mired in internal conflicts, supremacy tussles, and litigations.
*The Changing Landscape*
The NCS has been steadily introducing legislative reforms to combat maritime fraud and corruption, placing explicit responsibilities on corporates and individuals. The industry is witnessing a shift towards stricter anti-bribery laws, whistleblowing laws, and the adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enhance compliance and trade facilitation.
*The Imperative of Leadership Evolution*
In this context, industry leaders must adapt to the evolving trends and regulatory requirements. They must prioritize the survival and advancement of the profession by harnessing the power of technology, working together to promote compliance, and leveraging the benefits inherent in the regulatory council – Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding Practice in Nigeria (CRFFN).
*Harnessing the Benefits of CRFFN*
Industry leaders must collectively explore and harness the benefits of the CRFFN, including the smooth collection of Professional Operating Fees (POF) and demand for accountability in its administration. The POF collection promises to grant professional associations quarterly or yearly subventions via agreed percentage of total collection, to aid membership strength training and welfare. By working together with the CRFFN, industry leaders can ensure that the profession is well-regulated and that members receive the necessary support to excel in their roles.
*Professional Advancement Gap*
The industry is also facing a professional advancement gap, as the rapid evolution of ICT in freight forwarding logistics services demands a new level of professionalism and expertise. Industry leaders must prioritize professional development and capacity building to bridge this gap and stay competitive in the global market. This includes embracing technologies such as block chain, robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and drones, which are transforming the industry.
*Challenges Facing the Industry*
The freight forwarding industry in Nigeria faces several challenges, including:
– *Internal Conflicts*: The leadership of freight forwarding associations is plagued by internal bickerings, supremacy tussles, and litigations, which hinder collaboration and cooperation.
– *Lack of Professionalism*: The industry is characterized by a lack of professionalism, with many leaders prioritizing personal interests over the advancement of the profession.
– *Resistance to Change*: The industry is slow to adapt to changing trends and regulatory requirements, which can lead to non-compliance and reputational damage.
– *Foreign Dominance*: The industry is also vulnerable to foreign dominance, as in-fighting among local leaders creates opportunities for foreign firms to take center stage.
*Recommendations*
To address these challenges, industry leaders should:
– *Embrace Technology*: Leverage technology to enhance compliance, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
– *Collaborate and Cooperate*: Work together with regulatory agencies, government institutions, and other stakeholders to promote compliance and advance the profession.
– *Prioritize Professionalism*: Foster a culture of professionalism, prioritizing the advancement of the profession over personal interests.
– *Harness CRFFN Benefits*: Explore and harness the benefits of the CRFFN, including the smooth collection of POF and demand for accountability in its administration.
– *Protect Local Interests*: Take steps to protect local interests and prevent foreign dominance of the industry.
– *Invest in Professional Development*: Prioritize professional development and capacity building to bridge the professional advancement gap and stay competitive in the global market”.
The Sea Empowerment and Research Center (SEREC) has challenged freight forwarders to wake up to the reality of the changing landscape and adapt to the evolving trends and regulatory requirements.
SEREC also said it is time for the leaders in the freight forwarding industry to wake up from their slumber and unite against that which divides its common interests.
Head of Research in SEREC, Fwdr Eugene Nweke Rff, said freight forwarders must rise to harness the power of technology, work together to advance the profession, and promote compliance.
Noting that the freight forwarding industry is currently at a crossroad, he said the future of the industry depends on technology.
According to Nweke in a press statement, “We urge industry leaders to take immediate action to address the challenges facing the industry. This includes embracing technology, collaborating with stakeholders, prioritizing professionalism, harnessing CRFFN benefits, protecting local interests, and investing in professional development. Together, we can build a more efficient, compliant, and sustainable freight forwarding industry in Nigeria.
“ It’s time for the leaders to wake up from their slumber and unite against that which divides its common interests, determine to pursue and align with the global commity of freight forwarding nation for the global advancement of the freight forwarding profession”.
The freight forwarding industry in Nigeria, he added, is at a critical juncture, where leadership evolution is imperative to navigate the complexities of government reforms and technological advancements.
Part of the statement reads:
“The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is modernizing and embracing technology, while the leadership of freight forwarding associations is mired in internal conflicts, supremacy tussles, and litigations.
*The Changing Landscape*
The NCS has been steadily introducing legislative reforms to combat maritime fraud and corruption, placing explicit responsibilities on corporates and individuals. The industry is witnessing a shift towards stricter anti-bribery laws, whistleblowing laws, and the adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enhance compliance and trade facilitation.
*The Imperative of Leadership Evolution*
In this context, industry leaders must adapt to the evolving trends and regulatory requirements. They must prioritize the survival and advancement of the profession by harnessing the power of technology, working together to promote compliance, and leveraging the benefits inherent in the regulatory council – Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding Practice in Nigeria (CRFFN).
*Harnessing the Benefits of CRFFN*
Industry leaders must collectively explore and harness the benefits of the CRFFN, including the smooth collection of Professional Operating Fees (POF) and demand for accountability in its administration. The POF collection promises to grant professional associations quarterly or yearly subventions via agreed percentage of total collection, to aid membership strength training and welfare. By working together with the CRFFN, industry leaders can ensure that the profession is well-regulated and that members receive the necessary support to excel in their roles.
*Professional Advancement Gap*
The industry is also facing a professional advancement gap, as the rapid evolution of ICT in freight forwarding logistics services demands a new level of professionalism and expertise. Industry leaders must prioritize professional development and capacity building to bridge this gap and stay competitive in the global market. This includes embracing technologies such as block chain, robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and drones, which are transforming the industry.
*Challenges Facing the Industry*
The freight forwarding industry in Nigeria faces several challenges, including:
– *Internal Conflicts*: The leadership of freight forwarding associations is plagued by internal bickerings, supremacy tussles, and litigations, which hinder collaboration and cooperation.
– *Lack of Professionalism*: The industry is characterized by a lack of professionalism, with many leaders prioritizing personal interests over the advancement of the profession.
– *Resistance to Change*: The industry is slow to adapt to changing trends and regulatory requirements, which can lead to non-compliance and reputational damage.
– *Foreign Dominance*: The industry is also vulnerable to foreign dominance, as in-fighting among local leaders creates opportunities for foreign firms to take center stage.
*Recommendations*
To address these challenges, industry leaders should:
– *Embrace Technology*: Leverage technology to enhance compliance, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
– *Collaborate and Cooperate*: Work together with regulatory agencies, government institutions, and other stakeholders to promote compliance and advance the profession.
– *Prioritize Professionalism*: Foster a culture of professionalism, prioritizing the advancement of the profession over personal interests.
– *Harness CRFFN Benefits*: Explore and harness the benefits of the CRFFN, including the smooth collection of POF and demand for accountability in its administration.
– *Protect Local Interests*: Take steps to protect local interests and prevent foreign dominance of the industry.
– *Invest in Professional Development*: Prioritize professional development and capacity building to bridge the professional advancement gap and stay competitive in the global market”.
About Post Author
