The Nation Newspaper

Category: Maritime

  • Navy hands over 20 suspects to EFCC

    The Nigerian Navy has handed over 20 suspected  crude oil thieves  to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The hand over held at the command’s Forward Operating Base, Formoso, Brass, Bayelsa State.

    Commanding Officer, FOB Formoso, Capt. Noel Madugu, said the suspects were arrested at Sangana River in Brass Local Government Area of the state.

    He said the suspects comprising 18 Nigerians, one Camerounian and one Ghanaian were on board the vessel MV ELMINA.

    He said during the arrest, the captain of the ship could not provide the relevant documents  to lift crude oil.

    Madugu said the suspects said they were loading Automated Gas Oil (diesel), but when the products were tested, it was discovered to be crude oil.

    Before the hand  over, he said  the culprits were arrested about 1.30am on August 7.

    “About 1.30am, August 7, 2014, MV ELMINA was intercepted coming out of the creeks of Sangana River entrance in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    “The vessel and her crew were intercepted by NNS BOMADI while on routine patrol of the area.

    “Upon arrest, the actions of the crew during interrogation indicated that they had carried out the dubious activity as they refused initially to answer their radio until several warning shots,” he said.

  • Shippers decry multiple charges

    The Shippers Association of   Lagos State (SALS) has attributed the high cost of cargo processing at seaports to the multiple charges on imported goods.

    Its President Mr Jonathan Nicol, said the five per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) and the one per cent Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) charge were some of the charges.

    The others are the 35 per cent Automobile Levy and the Common External Tariffs levy.

    According to him, the combined  charges on one consignment takes affect shipper’s profit.

    The shippers urged the Federal Government to address the outcry of industrialists, manufacturers, who constituted the shippers to reduce the overall costs of doing business at the ports.

    He also urged the Federal Ministry of Finance to provide leadership in managing the problems of the  shipping community.

    The shippers’ boss said the government should think about the huge investments in building seaports as well as maritime prospects in the next 20 years to attract more cargo.

    Nicol also suggested that plans must be made by the government to secure and promote the local industries, the manufacturing sector and the shippers.

    He noted that it was the duty of the government to encourage private entrepreneurs toward sustainable contributions to developing the economy.

    “When you add the costs of generating power in a factory with salaries, these costs cannot be by-passed whether you like it or not.

    “You must provide power for your factory and you must pay staff salaries,” he said.

    Nicol said that the bottlenecks at the ports was largely the reason behind government’s appointment of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council as the economic regulator.

    He, however, said the Council was aware of some problems.

  • Jonathan pledges to invest N7tr in inland waterways

    The Federal Government will invest N7,405 trillion in inland waterways under its transformation agenda to address infrastructure deficit and boost the economy, President Goodluck Jonathan has said.

    Speaking at the first international conference and exhibition organised by the National Inland Waterways Authority ( NIWA) in Lagos,  President Jonathan, represented by the Minister of Transpot Senator Idris Umar, said infrastructural challenges, were retarding the growth and development of the economy.

    The President said his administration has approved  N25 billion for the dredging of River Benue.

    The theme of the conference was: “Modernising Inland Water Infrastructure and Vessels for Safe and Sustainable Inland Waterways Transportation in Nigeria.”

    The Federal Government, the President said, has therefore, created the appropriate legal and institutional framework that will promote Private-Public Partnership ( PPP) to accelerate the necessary development in the inland waterways.

    “My administration has continue to support the development of the inland waterways because transportation is the bedrock of the economy of any nation.

    “In addition to our present efforts, government has plans to invest an estimated N7.405trillion for the inland waterways sub-sector before 2020 to address the infrastructure deficit.

    “There is a great need to attend to the infrastructural deficit that has greatly constraint economic growth and development in the country,” the President said.

    President Jonathan also assured the foreign and local investors at the gathering that the transport sector Is a major area of concern in his transformation agenda and urged them to invest heavily in the sector.

    He directed the management of NIWA to consider the use of PPP to increase their funding capacity.

    Private sector investment in the inland waterways, President Jonathan said, is necessary for quick transformation of the sector.

    “To stimulate economic growth through our inland waterways, my administration has put in place necessary machinery to dredge River Benue.

    “The government has no doubt that the vision which informed huge investment made on the inland waterways sub-sector will encourage private sector participation which will lead to a rewarding return on investment.

    “River ports located at Baro in Niger State, Oguta in Imo State and Lokoja in Kogi State are also being constructed with several jetties across the country. All the River ports will be concessioned to private sector upon completion.”

    President Jonathan also disclosed that his administration has procured patrol boats to provide security within the inland waterways. He said government was vigorously pursuing the delivery of intra-coastal system to reduce pressure on the nation’s road transport network.

    NIWA’s Managing Directo Hajiya Inna Maryam  Ciroma said the conference was organised to bring together stakeholders and intellectuals in the sub- sector to brainstorm and provide a roadmap for repositioning and improving activities on the nation’s inland waters.

    The NIWA boss said the Federal Government approved the rehabilitation of the ab

    andoned Onitsha River port so that it would be put in proper and effective use.

    She stated further that the objective of the conference was to ensure maximum utilisation of the dredged River Niger.

    “For maximum utilisation of the dredged River Niger, the authority thought it wise to bring together various stakeholders in the inland waterways sub-sector in a gathering like this for dialogue and exchange of ideas as to the sustainability, safety and utilisation of our inland waterways including the tourism potentials for the growth and development of our economy.

    “For the dredged River Niger to be put into effective use, the Federal Government approved the rehabilitation of the abandoned Onitsha River Port which is being put up for concessioning by Messrs Green Stratos of India under the supervision of ICRC,” she said

  • Customs launches camouflage

    Customs launches camouflage

    The new camouflage uniform of the Nigeria Customs Serv ice (NCS) has been launched at its zonal headquarters in Yaba, Lagos.

    Its Zone ‘A’ Cordinator, Assistant Comptroller-General, Osita Gbemudu, who launched the uniform with the Area Controllers in the western zone, said the new attire would further boost the morale of the officers.

    He said the essence of the launch was to sensitise the public on the new look of the service officers, so that they don’t see those on the uniform as fake ones.

    “The management is coming with this to make people aware; already the Comptroller-General wore this uniform with his management staff two weeks ago. We are just trying to replicate what they did in Abuja here in the western zone,” he said.

    He said soon, the uniform will be given to all the officers at their commands, but that for now, it is worn by the Controllers and their security orderlies.

  • Agents: Customs underfunded

    Agents: Customs underfunded

    The National Association of Government Approved  Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan over the underfunding of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

    The association said inadequate funding was affecting the performance of the NCS and the Transformation Agenda of the  administration.

    In a letter titled: Re: Transformation Programme and Port Reforms of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, dated August 5, and sent to Jonathan by the founder of the group, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, the group claimed that the service was being incapacitated by the Federal Ministry of Finance and that this is affecting freight forwarding.

    It said: “We have observed from our strategic point as critical stakeholders that at the moment, it is apparent that the Nigeria Customs Service is being underfunded, which may be affecting its operations and the freight forwarding business.”

    Aniebonam urged Jonathan to free the Customs from the lack-lustre performing Webb Fontaine, alleging that the frequent breakdown of its equipment was taking severe toll on service delivery to the port users.

    He said: “The constant down time of the ASYCUDA System being handled and managed by Webb Fontaine most times, slows down automation. We suggest that the Nigeria Customs Service be allowed to build a robust system that can accommodate and resolve the problem of down time syndrome. This is a capital project, which cannot be satisfactorily handled with the  underfunding of the Nigeria Customs administration and management.

    “It is in the public domain that between 2010 and 2014 (up to July), the approved budget for the Service may be N378.97 billion. Our checks revealed that Nigeria Customs Service may have just received N279.42 billion, leaving a balance of N99.55 billion. We have observed that the morale of officers is very low because their entitlements are not being paid on time and most times, they are not attended to.

    “It is a fact that the Nigeria Customs Service is a very critical agency of the government saddled with huge responsibilities which include, but not limited to revenue collection, anti-smuggling functions, inter-agency support service, business development and trade information services, post audit function, provision of trade statistics and trade facilitation among others.”

    Aniebonam said under the Destination Inspection Policy, the NCS has been given additional duty to manage and maintain scanners, training of officers and building superstructures and other capital projects that would enhance and sustain its operations.

    He said the low funding does not give the NCS sufficient leverage to add value to businesses at the ports. “As Nigerians, we are equally worried because the Nigeria is facing some security challenges. We wish to remind your Excellency, that the anti-smuggling function of the Service is strategic on matters of border security,” he said.

    He proferred solution, saying: “The way forward should include the much-expected new Customs law pending at the National Assembly seeking to grant the Service partial autonomy.”

  • Fed Govt to tackle marine pollution

    The Federal Government is determined to combat marine pollution caused by oil spillage across the country.

    The Minister of Environment, Laurentia Mallam, has said while receiving a letter of approval for Nigeria to host the Regional Coordinating Centre to Combat Marine Pollution in West, Central and South Africa.

    The letter, according to a statement from the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), was handed over to the minister by the United Nations Environment Programme Regional Coordinator on Abidjan Convention, Mr. Abou Bamba, in Abuja.

    Mallam said the hosting of the centre was an advantage to Nigeria, adding that it would build more capacity and technical competence to tackle marine pollution in Nigeria and beyond.

    “The regional headquarters is an advantage to us and this shows that if we did not have the technology and the capability to handle it, they wouldn’t have come to us.”

    She assured UNEP coordinator that the government would provide an office for the centre to begin operation in six months.

    Bamba, who is also the Executive Secretary of the Abidjan Convention, said the hosting of the headquarters was another step in tackling marine pollution.

    According to him, this will also speed up the clean-up of Ogoniland.

    He said the Abidjan Convention would provide adequate logistics to make the centre succeed.

    Bamba said the UNEP and the Federal Government would meet to discuss the memorandum of understanding that would be signed by the government and the Abidjan Convention for the establishment of the centre.

    Bamba said: “The Abidjan Convention will provide adequate office space, staff, materials and equipment, and the convention would cover the initial and recurring operational costs needed for the centre.

    “In the meantime, I will be pleased to visit the installations, which will host the centre and report to the UNEP on the major findings and observations. We estimate that in six months, the centre should be operational and start its first assessment activities.

    “Nigeria is not by its own, the Abidjan Convention and UNEP will support as much as they can to make this unique experience a success.”

    He said with the new status, Nigeria would be in charge of the coordination of combating trans-boundary marine pollution from Mauritania to South Africa.

    The Director-General, NOSDRA, Peter Idabor, said the hosting of the centre would enhance the country’s capability to tackle marine pollution.

  • ‘Make dry port functional’

    The Oyo State Shippers Association (OYSSA) has urged the Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC) to make the dry port at Erunmu, near Ibadan, and the Trans-National Border Market (TBM) at Saki operational.

    The council, he said, is responsible for the dry ports.

    Its President, Dr Ayo Omotosho, said such a move would boost economic activities in the area.

    He praised the government for providing the enabling environment for the export of agricultural produce and made-in-Nigeria goods.

    Omotosho said he was happy the government provided loans to importers, industrialists and farmers in the state, saying the loans had boosted the purchase of farming equipment. He added that the Oyo State Government has provided the association with an administrative office and a vehicle for the TBM project.

    “The OYSSA’s visit to Oyo State Government made us to understand that the state government will reconstitute and inaugurate the implementation committee on the dry port as well as the TBM project.

    “The committee, which will include the Organised Private Sector (OPS) as well as government’s officials, is to fast -track the development of the dry port and the market,” he said.

    The Executive Secretary of the Shippers’ Council, Mr Hassan Bello, said there are 27 shippers’ associations in the country, including OYSSA.

    “It is pertinent to note that from our investigations, some of the 27 associations have not been living up to the expectations of the NSC,’’ Bello said.

    He said admission of persons, who were not genuine shippers into the association was not good.

    He urged the association not to pursue a path that would not be in consonance with the objectives of the association, urging members to live above board.

    “Maritime industry remains a key gateway to the nation’s industrial growth and the pivot on which even the oil and gas industry stands.

    “At the centre of operation in the industry, the key players are the shippers whose cargoes are the major attraction to both the shipping companies and the terminal operators,’’ Bello said.

    He said the shippers’ associations were expected to play critical roles that would enhance the ports’ “regulatory responsibility”.

    Bello said this would enable the council to succeed in restoring sanity and regulating the charges being imposed by the firms and the terminal operators.

  • Maritime Academy to introduce new scheme

    THE Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, in Akwa  Ibom State is to introduce a new employment scheme to boost workers’morale.

    The Rector, Joshua Okpo, has inaugurated a 17-man committee to prepare new conditions of service for the Governing Council and send to the Federal Ministry of Transport.

    He urged the committee to ensure that the aspirations of the academy’s employees were met in the new conditions of service.

    Describing the committee members as wise men, Okpo said the academy deserved better conditions of service outside that of the public service.

    “As a member of this committee, you are expected to bring out programmes that will address the needs of employees of this institution. Our conditions of service must be different from those of conventional institutions or establishments.

    “Particularly important is the issue of retirement. We believe when you are discussing among yourselves you have to come out with measures that will address staff welfare during retirement.”

    He said when he assumed duty as Rector of the academy, he noticed that there were many employees who were due for promotion, but were not promoted, adding that many of them are serving as Senior Lecturers, Chief Lecturers, Deputy Registrars, Directors and Acting Directors.

    He assured the staff of improved and enhanced conditions of service, advising them to reciprocate the kind gesture through dedicated service.

    Okpo said he was working to make the academy a degree-awarding institution before the end of his tenure.

    A member of the committee, Jide Kupoluyi, thanked the rector for the opportunity to serve, promising to justify the confidence reposed on them.

    He said the Act, which established the academy, empowers the management to propose a suitable conditions of service for the academy.

  • N252m vehicles impounded in Imo

    The Nigeria Customs Service  (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (F.O.U.) Zone ‘C’ seized some exotic vehicles and goods worth N252, 126, 800 in July.

    Its Area Controller Dimka Victor David said 37 seizures were made last month in the Southeast and Southsouth.

    Thirty-six of the 37 seizures, he said, were vehicles ranging from Toyota Highlander, Infinity jeep, Lexus jeep and cars, BMW, Toyota Avalon, Toyota Corolla, to Toyota 4 Runner.

    According to Dimka, this was an indication of an increase in the number of vehicles smuggled into the zone in July.

    Dimka said there was a similar increase in smuggling in rice about five months ago but that it was tackled and reduced, adding that that of imported frozen poultry products earlier in the year also went down.

    The Area controller said the influx of imported furniture, second hand clothing, foreign detergents and foot wears had been tackled by officers of the command.

    Dimka, however, said the smugglers shifted attention to car smuggling, assuring that his men can deal with them and ensure that those apprehended face the law.

    He assured that the unit would not fold her arms and watch the smugglers sabotage the economy, vowing that some car dealers would be compelled to present the documents of vehicles in their shops to ensure that they are genuine.

    Dimka said the Comptroller-General of Customs Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko was in support of the unit, stressing that the support has spurred officers and men of the unit to greater height in the performance of their statutory duties.

    Customs Public Relations Officer of the zone, Onuigbo Ifeoma, also urged public with useful information on smuggling to volunteer it to the unit to enable them to fish out smugglers.

    Meanwhile, the NCS said it collected N1.28 billion in the first half of the year in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    This is contained in the command’s ‘Revenue Collection Analysis’ report.

    The service stated the amount was part of the N3.4 billion revenue target given to the service by the government.

    It said N513.82 million was collected in the first quarter and N769.99 million in the second quarter.

    The revenue was generated from duties, Value Added Tax (VAT), fees and levies.

  • ANLCA urges Assembly to pass Railway Bill

    The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents  (ANLCA) has urged the National Assembly to pass the Railway Bill.

    Its National President, Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu said this would facilitate the transformation of the sector and help evolve a functional rail system that would answer the yearnings of Nigerians.

    “With the gridlock on Oshidi-Apapa Expressway, it is not too much if we ask the National Assembly to pass the Railway Bill. “The rail system is still epileptic because the National Assembly has failed to pass the Railway Bill into law, which could have wooed lots of investors into it. The passage is going to mark the beginning of making rail respond to the needs of the society and Nigerians. We want the government and the law makers to focus on it and we have no iota of doubt that it can be achieved,” he said.

    Shittu further said the Federal Government had done the right thing by concession of the ports, which, according to him, has increased cargo and vessel throughput; improved their efficiency and created jobs for Nigerians.

    But he bemoaned the dependence on trucks to ferry cargoes out of the ports.

    He also said the ports regulatory policy had made a huge difference in operations, urging the lawmakers to facilitate the passage of the Bill to reposition the sector and boost the economy.