The Nation Newspaper

Category: Maritime

  • Importers lose N2b container deposit weekly

    Shipping companies are depriving importers of over N2 billion weekly revenue, based on their refusal to refund the container deposit fee, the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has alleged.

    The group raised the alarm that importers lose about N2 billion weekly to the companies.

    But the spokesman of the Seaport Terminal Operators, Mr Bolaji Akinola, refuted the allegation.

    He said the terminals always refund all the deposit made when the truck drivers return the containers.

    “If you keep the containers in your factory for over  required period, you will pay for the delay

    But a member of the group, Mr Segun Ogunsanu said the companies hide under various guises to defraud importers of container deposits.

    He also alleged that government agencies such as the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have been included among agencies to collect revenue through debit notes.

    He said: “Freight forwarders lose N2billion weekly, as regard container deposits. Some shipping companies fraudulently use one system or the other to exonerate themselves from paying the shippers back. Initially we thought the concession will bring some form of alleviation from where we were before, the question now is: Is it not better to go back to where we were before the concession?”

    The President of the group also lamented the lack of empty bays for containers which he said,was the cause of long queues of trucks along the Apapa /Oshodi expressway.

    He said one of the major reasons behind the port reform of the Federal Government eight years ago, was to reduce the cost of clearing goods and eliminate corruption at the ports.

    He lamented that the move has not yielded the expected results.

    He said Nigeria is still grappling with high cost of doing business which according to him supposed to have reduced after the port reforms.

    He said: “The high cost of doing business if care is not taken will work against the port reforms, in the eight years we have been making reforms, and corruption is the victim of these reforms, port reforms are supposed to address issues of corruption, fighting corruption does not mean to arrest people and prosecute them, the moment you reform a system, it means you are fighting corruption.”

  • Ship owners hold summit today

    Ship owners and managers will meet in Singapore today,  to   examine the strengths of their relationship and consider the state of the global shipping industry during the first international shipowning and ship management summit.

    The event will take place at  the Singapore headquarters of International Communications Specialist Singtel.

    The Summit, organised by Shipping Innovation (organisers of the successful London International Shipping Week) will feature thought-provoking presentations from industry leaders representing both the ship owning and ship management sectors.

    The International Shipowning and Shipmanagement Summit will consider latest industry developments and international concerns, as well as examine relationships within the shipping chain. Leading ship owners and ship managers will be joined by influential representatives from sectors including ship broking, insurance and chartering for this one-day summit.

    The summit is being held in association with Inter Manager, the international trade association for third party and in-house ship managers, and will be chaired by InterManager Past President Roberto Giorgi.

    The summit is sponsored by Bibby Ship Management, Braemar Shipping Services Plc/Braemar ACM Shipbroking and Videotel and is supported by the Singaporean shipping industry including the Singapore Shipping Association whose Honorary Secretary, Esben Poulsson, will deliver the keynote address.

    Director of  Shipping Innovation, Sean Moloney, who will chair one of the afternoon panel discussions said: “The summit will provides ship owners and ship managers with the opportunity to hold a microscope to their industry and examine in detail the quality of their relationship and work together to address the challenges which face them. We are looking forward to some thought-provoking debates.”

     

  • Indorama, Chevron, others get N25.8b import duty waivers

    The Federal Government of Nigeria granted N25.81 billion in waivers and exemptions to Indorama Eleme Petro Chemicals Limited, United States (U.S.) oil major, Chevron and other organisations between January and May this year.

    Other beneficiaries of the largesse  included government agencies, non-profit institutions and private businesses.

    A report by the Budget Office of the Federation showed that organisations operating in agriculture, oil and gas, power and education sectors were the major beneficiaries.

    In all, a total of 64 different organisations were granted waivers with several of them claiming supply of machinery, equipment and spare parts, plants, equipment and core drilling rigs.

    Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Limited was the highest beneficiary of the waivers with N10.5 billion. A breakdown of the amount showed that the sum of N6.96 billion was waived for Indorama for the importation of machinery, equipment and spare parts, while the balance of N3.54 billion was waived on fertiliser equipment, catalysts and chemical pile.

    Chevron Nigeria Limited was the second highest beneficiary, with N4.87 billion waived for the importation of machinery, equipment and pipelines; followed by Galaxy Backbone, with N2.49 billion for tnformation and communications technology equipment.

    Similarly, United Cement Company of Nigeria and NIPCO Plc also got waivers of N1.91 billion and N1.02 billion for the importation of machinery, equipment and spare parts.

    Other major beneficiaries are the Borno State government which got N984.79 million waived for agricultural machineries; the Federal Capital Territory Administration/Globe Motors for 290 units of motor vehicles used at the recently held World Economic Forum; and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without borders), N568 million for medical supplies.

  • Customs to fight smugglers with armoured tanks

    Customs to fight smugglers with armoured tanks

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has deployed three Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to combat smugglers between Lagos and Ogun states, The Nation has learnt.

    The APCs, findings revealed, were deployed following a gun battle between operatives of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos and smugglers of rice, used vehicles and other prohibited items through illegal routes in both states.

    The, vehicles, according to sources, will be in the bush showing the ember months and the Eid-El-Kabir celebration.

    The FOU, findings revealed, has identified the flashpoints and other illegal routes used by smugglers in the Southwest and are now on aggressive patrol to stop them and boost the nation’s economy.

    Officers of the zone, it was gathered, have uncovered a hideout in  Igbesa Creek, Ogun State where  11,264 bags of illegally imported 50kg parboiled rice were seized from smugglers last week.

    The value of the rice and the expected duty payable on it, according to a source, is over N100 million.

    The Area Controller, FOU, Adamu Turaki, it was gathered, mandated his officers to destroy all the canoes, the smugglers’  storage facilities and the out board engines used in transporting the rice through Gbaji River to the country. This, he believed, would frustrate any future attempt by the smugglers.

    Contacted, Turaki said his officers intercepted the rice following intelligence report that smugglers were said to be planning to use the Igbesa creeks to braing in rice through Benin Republic before the Eid-El-Kabir celebrations.

    After receiving the report, Turaki said, his officers in the Lagos Roving Team Operations headed by Assistant Controller (AC) Adamu Mohammed sprang into action.

    “It is good to note and point out here that the Igbesa creek is reputed as both volatile and inaccessible particularly for Customs in the past. Several attempts to raid the place before now were met with serious opposition from the smugglers sabotaging the nation’s economy.

    “We must also place on record that they have, in the past, attacked Customs patrol teams that have attempted to stop their nefarious activities. I am therefore, happy that the Lagos Roving Team led by AC Adamu Abubakar Mohammed was able to deal with the smugglers and make the seizure.

    “On arrival at the scene of the crime, we started evacuation, even though we were faced with the challenge of unmotorable terrain. On completion of evacuation, I ordered the destruction of all the instruments of crime like the wooden boats, their storage facilities, out board engines and other items to deny them any future attempts.

    “It is actually amazing to understand the naivety of the Baale of the community, who from all indications seemed not to know that smuggling is an economic crime. He told us point blank that smuggling is their only means of survival and that they use the proceeds from it to develop their community.

    “I was perplexed when he told me that because he doesn’t know the implication. Therefore, I want to use this opportunity to urge you and your colleagues working in the print and electronic houses to help us educate and sensitise the local communities on the dangers of smuggling and its effect on the nation and its economy,” Turaki said.

    Turaki also said Customs’ Controller-General, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi gave the unit an express permission to use its APC for the anti-smuggling operations in view of the volatile nature of the terrain.

    “These tanks were rolled out with the express permission of the CGC, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko, who clearly understands the nature of such assignment. The Lagos Roving Team met stiff opposition from the smugglers, hence the need for reinforcement from the neighbouring Commands of Ogun and Seme, as well as the Military, Navy and others, who provided security for the evacuation of the consignment.

    “The rampaging smugglers were contained by our operatives, who brought the experiences from their various trainings to bare. Even though the smugglers engaged our operatives in a shootout, the combined team of our operatives over powered them with their superior fire power.

    The Controller thanked Alhaji Dikko and his management for the support the unit has received.

    Turaki said his officers and men are fully prepared to take the war against smuggling to the deadliest and most volatile parts of the southwest.

    He attributed the welfare programmes of the CGC, which included motivation, remuneration, training and re-training, provision of functional patrol vehicles, arms and ammunition and the general well being of all officers and men of the service to success recorded so far.

    Turaki promised that the unit will strategise on how to sustain its anti-smuggling tempo particularly, in the ember months to guide against complacency.

    “As daunting as the challenge of suppressing smuggling may be, we will continue to face it with unrelenting determination and will remain resolute in our attempt to suppress it to the barest minimum. The relentless commitment and tireless effort of officers and men of this unit is quite commendable,” Turaki said.

  • Dangote Group to support shippers’ association

    Dangote Port Operations, owners of Greenview Development Nigeria Limited (GDNL) terminal in Apapa, has pledged its support to Shippers Association of Lagos (SALS). It said the port cannot survive without the shippers.

    GDNL Managing Director, Captain Joshua Oyewunmi made the pledge  when SALS President Rev. Jonathan Nicole visited the terminal.

    Oyewunmi said the shippers’ association is a watchdog, which keeps all operators, especially the terminal operators on their toes, adding that the association stands for honesty and integrity

    “We know the importance of the shippers’ association in port operations. We know that you are very important to the nation, you are also a sort of life wire to all of us, so we must also keep you going.

    “We continue to look up to you as a form of watchdog to make everybody tow the line of honesty. We know that without you, we may also derail and we know that you can also guide us against doing something wrong” he said.

    On the forthcoming event tagged: “Towards a New Port Order”, which is anchored by SALS and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Capt Oyewunmi assured that the group would support the organisers of the event to make it a success.

    “You cannot do this thing alone on your own. We have to give you support and when we talk about support, we are not just talking about members, but also financial support. There is nothing one can do without financial support and you can always count on Dangote group to give you 100 per cent support,” he said.

    Rev. Nicole called for a new port reform where cost of doing business would be drastically reduced and controlled.

    The SALS President said nothing much has been achieved on cargo management and urged the Nigeria Customs Service to provide the enabling platforms to instill sanity in cargo clearance at the ports. He wondered why the old order still operates at the ports.

    “Shipping and terminal charges are on the increase. Most of the existing clearing hazards are still in the port. The emergence of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council as economic regulator is yet to achieve its objectives, because they are being strangulated by lack of funds.

    He solicited more financial, moral and professional support for SALS by presenting its programme before President Goodluck Jonathan and seeking recognition in government circles.

    “We have reached a stage where we have to forge a new road map for posterity,” Nicole said.

    He lamented the traffic gridlock on Apapa road, saying that it has impeeded effective operations at the ports.

  • Controller preaches cleanliness at border

    The Area Controller, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Command, Mr Willy Egbudin, has urged private companies operating at the border to keep the place clean.

    Speaking at the Customs/Community Relations meeting in Seme, the Customs chief said he was not happy concerning the issue of not keeping the border environment clean.

    He also advised banks operating in the area to tidy their environment to prevent epidemic outbreak.

    “The environment of some of the private companies that operate here in Seme is in disgusting state and this isn’t good for everyone who works here.

    “It becomes worse whenever it rains because the whole environment will be flooded and submerged in water, and people will not have access to the bank for weeks.

    “Every organisation should learn how to keep its environs clean because hygiene plays an important role in keeping us healthy.

    “I have received so many complaints from people about the state of the banks and I have spoken to the representatives of the banks, and they promised to look into it, but nothing has been done.

    “They should speed up action or at least make an interim solution in order to make the road accessible to the banks,” he said.

    He assured members of the community that the Customs Clinic is well equipped to take care of their medical needs.

    “The clinic is well equipped and has all the facilities needed to take care of your medical needs.You should use the clinic frequently because it is also yours,” he explained.

    The meeting was attended by representatives of banks and various chiefs of various communities in Seme and Badagry.

  • Bidders accuse NPA of awarding N20b Calabar Port contract without due process

    Bidders accuse NPA of awarding N20b Calabar Port contract without due process

    • ‘Why we cancelled bids’

    Did the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) award the N20 billion Calabar Port dredging contract without following due process? This is the puzzle stakeholders in the maritime industry are seeking to unravel over the contract.

    The contract, sources said, was awarded to the Calabar Channel Management (CCM) without passing through the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) as stipulated by law.

    BPP was established in 2007 to monitor public procurement, harmonise government’s policies and practices by regulating, setting standards and developing the legal framework and professional capacity for public procurement.

    Speaking when he received Southsouth and Southeast traditional rulers, led by Edmund Daukoru, the Amanyanabo of Nembe, in his office, the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, said President Goodluck Jonathan approved the port’s dredging.

    But the company that got the job never participated in any procurement, according to sources.

    The last procurement for the capital dredging of the Calabar Channel was held in 2010.

    Sources at the BPP said only six firms — Jan De Nul, Dredging International, Westminster Dredging, China Harbour Engineering, Lagos Channel Management (LCM) and Van Oord – participated in the procurement after satisfying the pre-qualification conditions.

    The exercise, a source said, was however, nullified and a  re-procurement ordered, following attempts by officials of the Ministry of Transport and NPA to manipulate the process in favour of the Lagos Channel Management (LCM).

    The re-tender organised by NPA for the firms that participated in the 2010 bid, it was learnt, included CCM, but the bid, the source said, never sailed through.

    “Soon after the commencement of the process, NPA called off the exercise, citing Section 28 of the Procurement Act.

    “That section of the Act stipulates that a procuring entity may reject all bids at any time prior to the acceptance of a bid, without incurring any liability to the bidder,” the source said.

    It is not clear whether the Act empowers the NPA or the government to award the contract unilaterally even if the bids submitted are rejected or cancelled.

    “The question is, how many companies were invited to submit bids and also went through the procurement proceedings before the contract was approved by the President? Where is the record of the procurement proceedings? Where is the input of Nigeria Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management, the Nigerian Bar Association and other critical stakeholders required by the Act? No wonder the stakeholders in the maritime sector are piqued by the way the contract was awarded and the choice of the company for the job,” the official said.

    The official added that in awarding a contract of this nature, there must be transparency and accountability.

    Investigations revealed that CCM is a partnership between NPA and Niger Global Engineering and Technical Company Limited, which belongs to a lawmaker said to be a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), The Nation learnt that Niger Global owns 46.7 per cent of the Joint Venture Company; NPA 53.3 per cent.

    Some aggrieved maritime stakeholders, who pleaded for anonymity, said the rejection of the bids by other competitors was a ploy to circumvent the due process and give the contract to a party faithful who is in the forefront of the campaign for the President’s second term bid.

    According to them, soon after the process was truncated, Umar told traditional rulers from the Southsouth and Southeast that the contract had been awarded.

    The decision to discontinue the process, revealed, was conveyed to bidders three weeks ago through a letter signed on behalf of NPA’s Managing Director by the General Manager (Procurement), T. S. Izukun.

    The letter, titled: Re: Re-Procurement of Capital Dredging of Calabar Port Assess Channel: Cancellation of Bidding Process, reads: “…This is to convey to you government’s decision to discontinue with the procurement process of the above-mentioned project.

    “The cancellation is pursuant to Section 28 of the Public Procurement Act 2007.

    “However, you are please requested to forward your account details to the Secretary of the Tenders Board to facilitate the refund of the money paid for the bidding documents.

    “Any inconveniences are highly regretted.”

    The stakeholders are alleging impunity in the award, claiming that it was through a similar ruse and  a purported  president Approval that the maintenance dredging of the Calabar Port went to the same company.

    The offer of the maintenance job to the firm was also opposed. The Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, in a petition to Umar, said CCM neither participated in the bidding for Calabar channel nor its competence and capabilities assessed as was the case with other firms.

    Anenih pointed out that the agreement between NPA and Niger Global, which culminated in the formation of CCM, is skewed in favour of the lawmaker’s firm that even amendments recommended by the Ministry of Justice were not reflected in the final agreement.

    He said: “The consortium has no reference whatsoever of previous jobs done. They were completely alien to the Calabar channel project and did not even take part in the bids of 2010 and the later procurement process.

    “The consortium was not prequalified and did not pass through the selection process like other companies. It, therefore, follows that the Presidential approval for the appointment of the consortium led by Niger Global Engineering and Technical Company Limited to enter into a joint venture with NPA which culminated in the agreement to form Calabar Channel was obtained without following due process.”

    Efforts to reach CCM proved abortive.

    This is the fourth controversial attempt at making Calabar River navigable. Two occurred under this administration.

  • Why we prefer Tin Can, by agents, others

    Importers and clearing agents have attributed the high rate of business at Tin Can Island Port in Apapa, Lagos to the efficiency of Customs officers there.

    The port, the importers said, is user-friendly and has modern cargo equipment.

    Most of the clearing agents, who also spoke with The Nation, described the Tin Can facility as one  of best in the world, saying they were happy because Customs officers at the command are proactive  and facilitate trade.

    Imported goods, the clearing agent said, can be leave the port two hours after examination and five hours before examination if the importer and clearing agent are honest in their declaration.

    Good facility and trade facilitation, the clearing agents said, were responsible for why many importers make the terminals their port of destination.

    The Vice-Chairman, Tin Can Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Ada Apunonu, who spoke on behalf of other clearing agents, said the Customs command at the port, operates the unified Customs tariff and valuation structure  like the other commands and facilitate the quick release of cargoes from the terminals.

    Last week, the Executive Director Ports and Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML), Askanio Russo, told  the Senate Committee on Privatisation that his terminal had lost a large chunk of its customers to the rival terminal at the Tin Can port due to what he called uneven administration of Customs tariff and valuation.

    Russo reportedly blamed the Customs authorities for using various ex-factory prices and valuation assessment for used vehicles discharged at the terminal, claiming it is different from what obtained at other rival terminals in Tin can.

    But the ANLCA chieftain said the allegation was untrue because, according to her, there is no disparity in tariff interpretation, especially on the new automotive policy between the two terminals.

    “PTML is a terminal which specialises in handling vehicular imports and the management of the facility ought to be aware that the new auto policy with its attendant high tariff will definitely affect the volume of traffic to it. It is pure mischief and arm-twisting tactics being employed by its managers to accuse Customs of operating two different tariff and valuation structure at the terminals.

    ‘’Customs valuation system is unified and there is only one Customs administering the unified system at all its commands,” she said.

    She, however, urged the terminals to make them user friendly and brace for further slide in cargo traffic by  January, next year when the full implementation of the auto policy was expected to take off.

    Also, the Chairman of the state chapter of the association, Kayode Oyinlola, expressed disgust at the claims that there was disparity in Customs tariff,  which he said, was capable of causing disaffection among Customs officers.

    ‘’No terminal should blame anybody for its down turn in fortunes; rather, it should address some of its charges if it ranks as one of the highest in the country or not,’’ he said

    He attributed the high preference of importers for the Tin Can port to what he described as the passion, dedication, commitment and  knowledge of Customs officers in the command in valuation.

    Its controller, he said, had worked assiduously to achieve and maintain the prevailing peace and tranquility in the command.

    This, Oyinlola said, had not only attracted the large flock of importers to the command, but has also enhanced its revenue profile.

  • Customs rakes in N2.9b

    Customs rakes in N2.9b

    The Kano/Jigawa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has generated N2.93 billion and seized goods worth  N400,000.

    Its Area Comptroller, Abbas Umar, said the amount was generated in the last seven months.

    Umar, who spoke at a stakeholders’ forum in Kano, said the Command recorded the seizure of dangerous drugs, including rice, vegetable oil, spaghetti and mosquito coils, adding that military camouflage uniforms and boots were among the items impounded at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.

    He explained that the confiscation of the Army uniforms was significant because of the security situation in the country.

    While appreciating the patronage of the business communities in Kano and Jigawa states, he noted that Kano is the commercial hub of the entire North, adding: “An importer can bring his goods, process his documents and pay duty in Kano and have his goods examined and released just as it can be done at the ports.”

    Umar said the forum was organised to enlighten and sensitise the public on the new guidelines and procedures on import and export trade, and the benefits derivable from the fast-track system introduce by Customs for the industrial sectors.

    He explained that the Customs management led by Comptroller-General, Abdullahi Dikko Inde, has made stakeholders engagement a cardinal principle of the Service, pointing out: “It is in this spirit that this forum is being held in Kano to enable us have a cross-fertilisation of ideas in carrying out the core responsibilities of the Service of which facilitation of trade is a major flank,” he said.

    Some of the papers delivered at the forum dwelt on import/export procedures, Nigeria trade hub as a veritable tool for trade facilitation and fast-track and its benefits.

    The event was attended by the representatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), NAFDAC, Immigration Service, Kano-based business men, importers, exporters and other stakeholders.

    Meanwhile, the Sokoto/Kebbi/ Zamfara Area Command of the NCS, has seized 600 cartons of Gold Seal Cigarettes with a duty-value of over N73.45 million.

    Its Area Controller, Ahmed Isyaku, said the Command intercepted the items because the owner failed to pay the specified Customs’ duties.

    “The commodity was seized not because it was a contraband, but because the owner did not pay the prescribed duty,” Isyaku, said, adding that the cigarettes were seized in an articulated vehicle on the Gusau-Tsafe road by operatives on patrol.

    He said one suspect connected with the goods had been apprehended and is awaiting prosecution.

    He said Command also seized 1,050 cartons of frozen fish, worth over N20 million, adding that the frozen fish has been destroyed.

    “The destruction had generated panic in certain quarters associating the fish with the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). I wish to use this medium to clarify the air that by no means was that frozen fish associated with any disease.

    “That fish was destroyed in that manner because that is what the law stipulated, the importer contravened all the requirements for fish importation, hence the interception and the destruction,” he said.

  • Western Marine Command gets new controller

    Western Marine Command gets new controller

    The Controller-General, Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Dikko  Abdullahi,  has appointed Johnson Gabriel as the Acting Controller of the Western Marine Command, Apapa, Lagos.

    The Nation gathered that the appointed followed the retirement of the immediate past Comptroller, Mr Audu Zakkat, after clocking the mandatory 35 years in service.

    It was learnt that Dikko directed Zakkat to hand over to Johnson because  he is one of the best professional marine officers of the service and  has been in charge of the command’s operations in the last two years.

    Johnson, it was learnt, was also Zakkat’s Personal Assistant (PA), a position that afforded him an overview of the Command, while occasionally also holding fort for his boss.

    These factors, investigation revealed, accounted for the CGC’s decision to put him on acting capacity pending when a substantive CAC would be appointed.