The Nation Newspaper

Category: Maritime

  • Customs goes tough on Idiroko axis

    Customs goes tough on Idiroko axis

    The Headquarters Special Assignment team, Idiroko axis of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), is making life difficult for smugglers in the area.

    The team, led by the Assistant Comptroller, Shittu Abdul-Maruf, it was gathered, has sent many smugglers out of business because of its unique approach.

    The team, investigation revealed, parades all approved and unapproved routes around the border  to stem the cycle of criminalities by the smugglers.

    When The Nation visited the area last Saturday, many vehicle dealers around Idiroko, Owode and Atan complained about the ability of the team to tame car and frozen foods smugglers.

    The ability of the team leader to deploy the tools of Information Communication Technology (ICT)  and the window provided for him by the Customs to confirm the  authenticity of vehicle documents of importers, it was gathered, now makes car smuggling unattractive in his area.

    The team, it was gathered, now carries out anti-smuggling campaigns in all areas, which hitherto provided a safe haven for smugglers and disrupts the economic activities of those patronising the smugglers in the area,

    The team, findings revealed, has achieved a commendable breakthrough in anti-smuggling in the area based on the huge volume of seizures it has recorded in recent times.

    Some of the goods seized by the team, investigation further revealed, are kept in government warehouses in Abeokuta, Ibadan, Federal Operation Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, Ikeja and in other approved locations.

    Last Wednesday, it was gathered that the team faced stiff resistance from the frozen poultry foods smugglers at Owode, but the operational doggedness of the team leader and his officers, it was learnt, forced the smugglers to run into the bush.

    Findings, however, revealed that some of the strategies adopted by the team in its anti-smuggling crusade included  intelligence gathering system, recruitment of useful informants and 24-hour surveillance along smuggling corridors to reduce saboteurs’ activities.

    A senior Customs officer in Abuja, who does not want to be mentioned, told The Nation that a visit to some of the government warehouses would reveal the tempo and determination of the team to deal  with those engaged in illicit trade around the borders.

    “The results of the efforts of the team were seen in the quantum of remarkable seizures which they made in just few weeks of their assignment.

    “It is, therefore, not an overstatement to say that the team has rolled out arsenals to frontally tackle the hydra headed monster of smuggling for the desired effect. Its leader, Shittu Abdulmaruf, has mapped out unique operational templates enhancing their performance.

    “Since his assumption of office, Abdulmaruf and his team have left no stone unturned in their effort to dismantle the supply chain of smugglers in their areas of coverage.

    “The Comptroller-General had given a marching order, which is encapsulated in his policy thrust and this provides the necessary impetus for Customs to ensure resilience and enforcement of the fiscal policies of Federal Government in terms of trade facilitation and anti-smuggling crusade.

    “The task of suppressing smuggling is the statutory responsibility of the team and they have been mandated to ensure that no smuggler is spared no matter how highly placed he or she is. Our operation is 24 hours and Abdulmaruf’s appointment and assignment may have been informed by his antecedents in areas of anti-smuggling and revenue generation. This mandate keeps a moral burden on him and his team and we believe that is why they are not leaving anything to chance,” the officer said.

    The officer also praised the officers and men of the FOU for their support.

     

  • How NIMASA blew N17b on varsity land, by panel

    How NIMASA blew N17b on varsity land, by panel

    Even though it has yet to take off, the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU) in Kurutie, Delta State, has cost a fortune.

    The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the university’s promoter, may have spent N17 billion on acquiring the land for its temporary site, a probe panel has learnt.

    The panel was constituted by the Federal Ministry of Transport (FMoT) to ascertain the desirability or otherwise of the university, which was inaugurated with fanfare by former President Goodluck Jonathan 19 days before he left office.

    The panel is wondering how NIMASA spent N17 billion to get two hectares of land in Kurutie, which lacks basic facilities, such as power, water, road, school and health centre.

    Its members, it was gathered, were not happy with what they saw when they visited the site, last week.

    Sources said there was nothing to justify the huge amount spent on the Kurutie land.

    A source said: “The promoters of the university had bad motive before going there to buy land. Are they telling us that it is more expensive to buy land in the creeks than Abuja and Eko Atlantic City?

    “They left the capital city of Asaba, Warri, Agbor and other developed towns to purchase the land in the mind-boggling creek village because they wanted to build a university? Is that the first community to host a university?

    “How much is a plot of land in Asaba and other developed towns in Delta State for anybody to claim that they purchased a plot of land in the creek for over a billion naira? What was the attraction?

    “Even in the big commercial city of Lagos, Ibadan and Port Harcourt, how much is a plot of land in the creeks not to talk of the remote village of Kurutie?

    “How many millionaires not to talk of billionaires are living in that community and its environs? What is the major occupation of the people living in that area apart from fishing?

    “Apart from the land and the structures on the temporary site, even if the university is the owner of over 50 new buildings and the land they occupy, it would still not justify the N17 billion spent on the land by NIMASA,” he said.

    The panel has reportedly queried the amount paid for the buildings on the land before its acquisition.

    A senior NIMASA official claimed that when the agency proposed to establish the university in Kurutie, the community agreed to provide the land. But the promoters, he alleged, returned, few months later to say that the land was bought for N17 billion.

    “Leaders of that community and the promoters of the university must be invited by the committee and the Federal Government to tell Nigerians if the land was sold to NIMASA or not. The amount that was paid by NIMASA and the actual amount it cost to get a plot of land in that area.

    “The N17 billion is public money. The past and present leadership of the agency must be made to tell Nigerians the truth about the money. Why the management of the agency should abandon its core responsibility of safety at sea to build university in order to siphon public fund and think that they can go away with it because they have the ears of the last administration?

    “Well, time changes with man. Therefore, we are happy that there is a change in the government and we hope President Muhammadu Buhari will help us retrieve the money,” the official said.

    The official also alleged that the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) was not well managed by NIMASA, urging the committee to investigate how much was withdrawn from the fund and what it was used for.

    The CVFF, he said, has grown to billions of dollars without any indigenous ship owners benefiting from it.

    Contributors, he said, do not know the amount in NIMASA’s care, adding that it was time its Acting Director-General, Pastor Haruna Jauro, made the amount public.

    NIMASA Deputy Director, Public Relations (DDPR) Hajia Lami Tumaka, said the panel’s report would be sent to the government when it is ready.

    The committee, according to her, is expected to evaluate all the projects being executed by NIMASA to ascertain their level of completion vis-à-vis the funds released for them.

     

  • Customs seizes N226m goods in Imo

    Customs seizes N226m goods in Imo

    The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘C’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Owerri, Imo State capital has seized counterfeit drugs worth N226.38 million.

    Its Area Controller, Victor Dimka, told The Nation last weekend that he was happy that the drugs were seized because they are harmful to health.

    The items, he said,  did not have NAFDAC registration number.

    Dimka warned the public to desist from patronising individuals and stores selling with unregistered drugs.

    Other items seized were furniture, 303 cartons of dining table glasses, 1,936 pieces of side stool with a DPV of N63,120.

    Others, which were seized along  Owerri-Eleme Port Harcourt Road, were 1,430 pieces of bags, (similar to laptop bags) valued at N8.58 million.

    He said the items were seized within one week, adding that no arrest had been made except the driver of one of the vehicles carrying the goods.

    Dimka reiterated the determination of the Customs to fight smugglers until they were brought to their knees.

    According to him, the Customs is now better equipped, trained and motivated to reduce smuggling to the barest minimum.

    The state Coordinator of National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Victor Mmamel, who received the items on behalf of the Director-General of the agency, praised the service for the good job.

    He promised to continue to collaborate with customs and other security agencies to end the illicit trade.

     

  • Hard time awaits smugglers, says comptroller

    Hard time awaits smugglers, says comptroller

    Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja Customs Area Con-troller (CAC) Comptroller Amade Abdul, has said hard time awaits smugglers as the year is ending.

    Speaking with The Nation after the interception of an articulated truck laden with 5020 cartons of imported poultry products on the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode Expressway, Abdul said his men were working with the Headquarters Special Assignment Team to flush out smugglers.

    The items, he said, were concealed in the truck with 2016 cartons of Nestle bottle water.

    The items, findings revealed, were discovered during examination at FOU office, Ikeja.

    With the support of his men, he said, he would deploy all human and material resources to achieve the zero tolerance policy on smuggling.

    Comptroller Shittu Abdulmaruf, Chief Superintendent Dahiru Shehu Usman and other officers, he said, were waging battle against those involved in illicit trade in the zone.

    “The operational dexterity of the Unit cannot be compromised, in consideration of the need to protect our country from being a dumping ground.

    “The items seized include 5020 cartons of smuggled frozen poultry products neatly concealed with 2016 packages of nestle bottled water with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N30,117,600.

    “A suspect was apprehended in connection with the seizure and he will act as a clue towards unraveling the major kingpins behind this illegitimate transaction with a view to ensuring that they are prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.

    “The seizure became, particularly, symbolic in consideration of the dubious ingenuity of the smugglers to the extent that they could contemplate that mode of concealment.

    “The Service under the present Comptroller-General of Customs Col. Hammed Ibrahim Ali (rtd) will reach its full potential in view of the antecedents of the CGC and his generally acclaimed stance on anti-corruption. We have taken cognisance of the new order and we are working towards ensuring that the mission and vision of the new Comptroller-General is actualised,” he said.

    On frozen poultry products, the Controller pointed out that the Service since inception of ‘Operation Hawk Descend’ had recorded very remarkable achievements, which can easily be  seen from the scarcity and high cost of the products in the market.

    “From the look of things, it is certain that our aggressive patrol activities along the flanks and flashpoints have turned on serious heat on the smugglers, thereby forcing them in their desperation to look for alternative means of smuggling. Unfortunately, we are totally determined and committed to this assignment irrespective of whatever their antics might be.”

    The Controller promised to sustain the tempo as he acknowledged the effort of the NCS Management in providing logistic support in terms of functional patrol vehicles, arms/ammunition, training and re-training of officers, among others.

    He said the Unit will continue to play its leading role as the hub and flagship of anti-smuggling, having fine-tuned its operational methodologies to align with the change mantra of the Federal Government.

    Seeking the support of Nigerians, he advised importers and customs agents to keep abreast of import guidelines before bringing any commodity into the country.

    Businessmen and companies that comply with the extant order have nothing to fear, he allayed.

     

  • Nigeria eyes Africa hub as huge ships berth at port

    Nigeria eyes Africa hub as huge ships berth at port

    The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) may become the leading port in West and Central Africa, following the berthing of the huge vessel in Lagos, The Nation has learnt. The ships are bigger than the vessels which hitherto berth at the port.

    NPA, it was gathered, has developed its Information Communication Technology (ICT) facilities to meet ports operations demands.

    With the automation of its operations, NPA is now monitoring shipping firms, the concessionaires and other port users to ensure compliance with rules and also track revenues.

    NPA General Manager, Public Affairs, Capt Iheanacho Ebubeogu, said the authority has fashioned a roadmap to ensure it attains the leading port status by providing a safe, secure and world-class customer friendly environment for port users.

    Top officials, he said, had embraced the new technology and innovation to realise NPA’s vision.

    “Nothing happens by chance. Somebody or group of people dreamt about what is happening in Dubai, Singapore and other major ports of the world some years back and that is why the Executive Directors, General Managers, Assistant General Managers, Port Managers and other staff are following the direction outlined in the NPA’s vision and mission so that we become the best and the leading port in Africa as championed by our Managing Director (MD), Mallam Habib Abdullahi,” he said.

    NPA, in line with its monitoring and compliance function, Ebube-ogu said, would ensure that all terminal operators improve on ICT infrastructure and acquisition of modern equipment for cargo handling.

    He said NPA has operated the landlord model of port operation since 2006, after the terminals were concessioned to private operators.

    To him, the introduction of the Electronic Payment System and the Electronic Ship Entry Notice (E-Sen) are a first step towards the automation of NPA’s processes.

    A clearing agent, Mr Segun Ogunsanu, who spoke at the week-end, confirmed the development.

    “NPA has improved tremendously, efficiency in port operations as well as giving value to operators and port users.

    “The Revenue Invoicing Management System and Customer Portal introduced recently have started lowering operational costs and shorten the time for documentation. The platforms are fully integrate the electronic flow of information and are also fully integrated with all its existing solutions.

    ‘’The benefits accruing from the electronic platforms, according to Ogunsanu, include improved customer service delivery; easy access to customer accounts status; view of all transactions and status in respect of bills; electronic upload of manifest; e-invoice and e-receipt generation.’’

    He continued: “The electronic platform is an excellent initiative. There is no doubt that it will improve efficiency and save so much time and costs. We say kudos to NPA management.

    “The introduction of the e-platforms by the management of NPA would boost their revenue base and make the agency contribute meaningfully to the Federal Government purse.’’

     

  • Customs goes tough on smugglers

    Customs goes tough on smugglers

    Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)  has gone tough on smugglers as two zonal commands seized goods worth over N266 million.

    Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ Ikeja seized N56,479,200 worth of goods; while its Zone ‘C’ Command in Owerri, the Imo State capital, impounded over N200 million worth of goods.

    The goods are 4,480 cartons of foreign Eva soap, 714 cartons of fake drugs and others with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N219,375,479.

    All the goods do not have NAFDAC registration numbers.

    Its Area Controller, David Dimka told The Nation that the items included 1,920 cartons of banned mosquito coils with a Duty Paid Value of N38,400,000.

    The driver and the vehicle conveying the fakle drugs, Dimka said, were arrested and may be prosecuted after investigation.

    Contrary to the laws that all inscriptions on imported items must be written in English, investigation revealed that the leaflets were written in Chinese. The items also do not have country of origin, manufacture and expiry dates.

    “We have more often than not warned on the dangers of using second-hand tyres because most of them, if not expired, are discarded by their country of origin and Nigerians import them and use same to kill human beings without listening to the words of reason from the government not to kill their brothers and sisters with something that is bad. The FRSC is in a better position to tell us how many lives have been lost on the roads as a result of the use of second-hand tyres by motorists,” Dimka said

    He stressed the need for Nigerians to comply with the government’s regulations, and stop those sabotaging the economy.

    Dimka said he was unhappy that some uncharitable people smuggle in fake drugs to kill their fellow human beings, adding that those involved in the business are helping his men in their investigation.

    Mrs. Esther Itua, Dimka said, received the seized items on behalf of the Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii.

    Findings also revealed that the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Lagos seized goods worth N56,479,200.

    The seized items included 1,887 bags of parboiled rice with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N12,256,500; 4,854 cartons of smuggled poultry products with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N26,211,600 and two vehicles with DPV of N9,990,000.

    Other items seized by the officers of the unit are new and used tyres, textile materials, vegetable oil, used shoes, fruit juice and spagetti worth over N8 million.

    Its Area Controller, Amade Abdul, said his men are committed to the fight against smuggling.

    “We will not just maintain standards, we will also ensure that we  improve on the standard of discipline, decision making and level of compliance to rules and regulations; we will ensure due diligence and that things are not done haphazardlly, because if they are done haphazardly it will affect the revenue generation,” he said.

    He warned smugglers to desist from their illicit act or be ready to face the law.

     

  • Buhari urged to evolve world-class transportation

    Buhari urged to evolve world-class transportation

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to evolve a world-class transport system to position Nigeria as a hub in West and Central Africa.

    Speaking with The Nation at the weekend, the Chairman, Haulage and Logistics, Mr Adebola Adeyemo, said the Federal Government should establish a safe, efficient, affordable and seamless intermodal transport system in line with global best practices.

    He canvassed an enabling environment for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to thrive.

    The system, he said, should connect all state capitals, seaports, airports and river ports with railway lines to complement the road infrastructure across the country.

    The sector, he said, remains a key sector of the economy, adding that its enormous potential deserves continuous harnessing to meet the expectations of the government and the people.

    “In the next few months, the Federal Government needs to carry out a number of reform measures that will enhance more operational efficiency at the various ports. For instance, the 48-hour cargo clearance must be achieved in the Lagos Ports where more than 60 per cent of our port activities take place.

    “The government also needs to make efforts towards ensuring the development of deep seaports in the country. This is the ultimate solution to the port congestion in Lagos, as the cargo handling capacity is beyond their designed capacity.

    “Although the Federal Government has approved the development of the Lekki Deep Sea Port in Lagos, expected to handle bigger vessels, and create employment. But the promoters of the port must be supported to bring the project to fruition,’’ he said.

    He urged local and foreign investors to key into the government’s programmes by investing in the sector.

    The potential of the sector, Adeyemo said, is enormous, calling for a synergy between the government and private investors to promote the sector and boost the economy.

     

  • Terminal operators sack workers

    Terminal operators sack workers

    Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) members are facing hard times – no thanks to the Federal Government’s auto policy.

    Over 50 per cent of staff of one of the terminals at the Tin-Can Island port in Lagos has been sacked.

    Investigation revealed that the promoters of the terminal are thinking of ways to diversify because of the low number of vehicles coming to their terminal.

    Speaking with The Nation, the Chairman, Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Val Usifoh said there is a lull in some of the terminals because of the policy.

    Usifoh,who is also the Chairman of the Port Industry Anti-Corruption Standing Committee (PIACSAC), said the policy has led to reduction in cargo volume at the port since the beginning of the year, adding that some policies of the government on importation have contributed to the low volume of cargo handled at the port.

    Investigation revealed that over 70 per cent of fairly-used vehicles, popularly known as Tokunbo, being imported now come through the neighbouring Port of Cotonou, Benin Republic because of the policy.

    Also, a senior official of one of the terminals in Lagos, who does not want to be named, said the volume of imported vehicles has reduced more than half since the introduction of the auto policy.

    “The number of vehicles being discharged in all our ports has reduced by more than 60 per cent.

    “So, the calculation is if the whole of Lagos was discharging 20,000 or 25,000 vehicles every month, it is like we are now doing 6,000 vehicles.

    “We have noticed that the number of vehicles coming into Cotonou has increased dramatically; so we are losing business while Cotonou is gaining business. Everyone can understand what this means.

    “This policy is gradually affecting the port industry and this is affecting the overall population because the prices of vehicles are going up in the market and this is something we notice every day,” he added

     

  • Nigeria eyes Africa hub as huge ships berth at port

    Nigeria eyes Africa hub as huge ships berth at port

    The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) may become the leading port in West and Central Africa, following the berthing of the huge vessels in Lagos, The Nation has learnt. The ships are bigger than the vessels which hitherto berth at the port.

    NPA, it was gathered, has developed its Information Communication Technology (ICT) facilities to meet ports operations demands.

    With the automation of its operations, NPA is now monitoring shipping firms, the concessionaires and other port users to ensure compliance with rules and also track revenues.

    NPA General Manager, Public Affairs, Capt Iheanacho Ebubeogu, said the authority has fashioned a roadmap to ensure it attains the leading port status by providing a safe, secure and world-class customer friendly environment for port users.

    Top officials, he said, had embraced the new technology and innovation to realise NPA’s vision.

    “Nothing happens by chance. Somebody or group of people dreamt about what is happening in Dubai, Singapore and other major ports of the world some years back and that is why the Executive Directors, General Managers, Assistant General Managers, Port Managers and other staff are following the direction outlined in the NPA’s vision and mission so that we become the best and the leading port in Africa as championed by our Managing Director (MD), Mallam Habib Abdullahi,” he said.

    NPA, in line with its monitoring and compliance function, Ebube-ogu said, would ensure that all terminal operators improve on ICT infrastructure and acquisition of modern equipment for cargo handling.

    He said NPA has operated the landlord model of port operation since 2006, after the terminals were concessioned to private operators.

    To him, the introduction of the Electronic Payment System and the Electronic Ship Entry Notice (E-Sen) are a first step towards the automation of NPA’s processes.

    A clearing agent, Mr Segun Ogunsanu, who spoke at the week-end, confirmed the development.

    “NPA has improved tremendously, efficiency in port operations as well as giving value to operators and port users.

    “The Revenue Invoicing Management System and Customer Portal introduced recently have started lowering operational costs and shorten the time for documentation. The platforms are fully integrate the electronic flow of information and are also fully integrated with all its existing solutions.

    ‘’The benefits accruing from the electronic platforms, according to Ogunsanu, include improved customer service delivery; easy access to customer accounts status; view of all transactions and status in respect of bills; electronic upload of manifest; e-invoice and e-receipt generation.’’

    He continued: “The electronic platform is an excellent initiative. There is no doubt that it will improve efficiency and save so much time and costs. We say kudos to NPA management.

    “The introduction of the e-platforms by the management of NPA would boost their revenue base and make the agency contribute meaningfully to the Federal Government purse.’’

     

  • Customs goes tough as Eid-el-Kabir approaches

    Customs goes tough as Eid-el-Kabir approaches

    Two zonal commands of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have seized goods worth over N266 million as the Eid-el-Kabir festival approaches, investigation has revealed.

    Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ Ikeja seized N56,479,200 worth of goods; its Zone ‘C’ counterpart in Owerri, the Imo State capital, impounded over N200 million worth of goods.

    The goods are 4,480 cartons of foreign Eva soap, 714 cartons of fake drugs and others with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N219,375,479.

    All the goods do not have NAFDAC registration numbers.

    Its Area Controller, David Dimka told The Nation that the items included 1,920 cartons of banned mosquito coils with a Duty Paid Value of N38,400,000.

    The driver and the vehicle conveying the fakle drugs, Dimka said, were arrested and may be prosecuted after investigation.

    Contrary to the laws that all inscriptions on imported items must be written in English, investigation revealed that the leaflets were written in Chinese. The items also do not have country of origin, manufacture and expiry dates.

    “We have more often than not warned on the dangers of using second-hand tyres because most of them, if not expired, are discarded by their country of origin and Nigerians import them and use same to kill human beings without listening to the words of reason from the government not to kill their brothers and sisters with something that is bad. The FRSC is in a better position to tell us how many lives have been lost on the roads as a result of the use of second-hand tyres by motorists,” Dimka said

    He stressed the need for Nigerians to comply with the government’s regulations, and stop those sabotaging the economy.

    Dimka said he was unhappy that some uncharitable people smuggle in fake drugs to kill their fellow human beings, adding that those involved in the business are helping his men in their investigation.

    Mrs. Esther Itua, Dimka said, received the seized items on behalf of the Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii.

    Findings also revealed that the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Lagos seized goods worth N56,479,200.

    The seized items included 1,887 bags of parboiled rice with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N12,256,500; 4,854 cartons of smuggled poultry products with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N26,211,600 and two vehicles with DPV of N9,990,000.

    Other items seized by the officers of the unit are new and used tyres, textile materials, vegetable oil, used shoes, fruit juice and spagetti worth over N8 million.

    Its Area Controller, Amade Abdul, said his men are committed to the fight against smuggling.

    “We will not just maintain standards, we will also ensure that we  improve on the standard of discipline, decision making and level of compliance to rules and regulations; we will ensure due diligence and that things are not done havazardlly, because if they are done havazardlly it will affect the revenue generation,” he said.

    He warned smugglers to desist from their illicit act or be ready to face the law.