…. Urges Government to unmask owners of the company
ZAINAB JUNAID
Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria(APFFLON) has condemned the inefficiencies and epileptic service delivery of Webb Fontaine Nigeria Limited, which has resulted into economic losses and crippling operations of Stakeholders at Nigeria’s Sea Ports and Terminals.
The President of the association, Mr. Frank Ogunojemite demanded to know the intrigues behind the constant failure of the service of Webb Fontaine Ltd, which is responsible for the provision of Information Technology(IT), Telecom Infrastructure and network management to the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS).
Speaking at a RoundTable with Maritime Journalist Association of Nigeria (MAJAN) recently, Mr. Ogunojemite lamented the frequent difficulties experienced by freight forwarders in clearing their cargo as a result of consistent server breakdown, which connotes inefficiencies on the part of Webb Fontaine Ltd.
These infractions have resulted into monumental economic losses to importers and freight forwarders.
Otunba Ogunojemite said," Government needs to investigate the activities of Webb Fontaine from the date of their engagement till present date".
Webb Fontaine Nigeria Limited was engaged in 2006 to provide service to the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) in the area of information technology deployment, to make the operations of the NCS effective and seamless and also block leakages and increase revenue.
However, the APFFLON boss noted that this objective has so far fallen short, as there are lots of hiccups in the operations of the Server which has caused financial losses to Stakeholders at the Nigerian Ports.
“There have been no sensitization or stakeholders engagement by Webb Fontaine on its operations or any regret or public apology for the losses the importers and other Port'’ users were subjected, leaving aggrieved users to blame Customs Officials and the NCS management for server disruption.
“Webb Fontaine does not have help desks or contact offices at Ports and Terminals, rather the company stations its offices at choice locations in cities, whereas its services are for ports and terminals.
“Amid the numerous challenges in Nigeria’s port system attributable to the company- Web Fontaine, findings have shown that the Dubai-based company operates a seamless and hitch free process in Dubai while subjecting Nigerians to gross inefficiencies and with this, we can conclude that the company’s actions were deliberate to sabotage Nigerian economy,” he said.
