The Nation Newspaper

Category: Maritime

  • Ministry, agents disagree over practitioner’s fee

    The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Asso-ciation of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has ordered its members to shun a Federal Ministry of Transport  letter on payment of practitioner’s fee to the Council for the Registration of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).

    The July 15 letter, exclusively obtained by The Nation, was signed by the ministry’s Director of Maritime Services, Musa Nagogo.

    It reads: “The Minister of Transport had approved the collection of Practitioners’ Operating Fees (POF) vide a letter referenced T.4252/s.46/C.3/1/177 dated 26th February, 2015 for the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) to collect Practitioners’ Operating Fees.

    “Further to the Resolutions reached at the Stakeholders meeting held on 3rd July, 2015, the Ministry hereby informs the Nigeria Customs Service, all registered freight forwarders, all seaports terminal operators, all airports cargo terminal handlers and the general public that CRFFN is hereby authorised to immediately commence the collection of Practitioners’ Operating Fee (POF),” Nagogo said in the letter

    But ANLCA’s National Publicity Secretary Dr. Kayode Farinto told The Nation that the group has instituted a case at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, challenging the directive by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Mohammed Bashir, on payment of the fee.

    Joined in the suit are the CRFFN and Inspector-General of Police (IGP). Under the new fees regime, importers will pay N1.50 per kilo of every air cargo, N1,000 per 20-foot container, N2,000 per each 40-foot container, N500 per car or Jeep imported into the country and N1,000 per every truck or 20-foot equivalent.

    Others include N2,000 per truck or 40-foot equivalent, N3.50 per every ton of general cargo imported into the country and N1 per ton of every dry bulk cargo handled in any of the nation’s seaports.

    The minister also approved various registration fees for freight forwarders, including Nigerians and non-Nigerians, which range from N7,500 to N50,000 yearly depending on the category of membership as well as yearly subscription fees ranging from N10,000 to N60,000 for the various levels of the membership of the council.

    But in a motion on notice filed by Ayodele Olaniyi on its behalf, ANLCA is asking the court to grant an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants by themselves, their agents, servants, employees, assigning, representatives and/or privies from further collection of the POF pending when the Governing Council of the CRFFN will be elected and or re-constituted and pending the final determination of the suit.

    ANLCA is also seeking an order of mandatory injunction restraining the third defendant (Inspector-General of Police) from using his instrument of office to coerce and intimidate its members into paying “the illegitimate fees” pending “when the court will make its final pronouncement on the matter”.

    In an affidavit in support of the motion on notice, Farinto averred that by virtue of the Act establishing the second defendant (CRFFN), the council is only empowered to collect the fees through its Governing Council.

    He claimed that the Governing Council has since been dissolved and the Registrar of CRFFN assumed the duty of generally overseeing the affairs of the council.

    ANLCA, it was gathered, has also suspended any further discussion between the association and CRFFN until the court settles the matter.

    Farinto said that the Governing Council of the CRFFN has since been dissolved and that its Registrar assumed the duty of generally overseeing the affairs of the council.

    He claimed that consequently, the first defendant ordered the Registrar to commence collection of the POF “which is an exclusive duty of the Governing Council which is not in place”.

    The image maker is therefore, requesting for an order compelling the defendants to pay N50 million in damages to ANLCA.

     

  • Group seeks road map for maritime

    THE Federal Government has been urged to design a road map for the maritime industry.

    Ship ownership, improved cargo and passenger volume, reliable utilities, security and a concerted war against corruption are some of the major means of developing the sector – according to the Sifax Group chief Dr. Taiwo Afolabi.

    Speaking at the at the just-concluded Nigerian Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) in Lagos, Afolabi, represented by one of his directors, Major Henry Ajetunmobi (rtd), spoke of the need to take advantage of the huge economic potential of the industry to enhance the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    Based on the dwindling oil revenue, the government, industry regulators, agencies, investors, financiers, operators and other stakeholders should post resources to boost the economy

    On the allegation that shipping companies and terminal operators are imposing arbitrary charges at ports, the Sifax boss called for a cautious approach.

    “The issues, no doubt, calls for the wisdom of Solomon as well as random eclectic borrowings from the principles long adopted by other maritime nations, especially those in the advanced world that have made a huge success of privatization in their own ports and terminals.

    But over and above this, is the need for the economic regulator, acting in full consultation with critical stakeholders, to seek to regulate the industry, with a clearly perceived passion to balance and protect the interests of all parties to avoid crisis.

    “We must begin to take measures now to develop other critical sectors of the economy, particularly in agriculture and optimal exploitation of the vast deposits of our solid mineral and non-oil natural resources, to generate enough cargo that can challenge the present high volume of our import cargo throughput that has given us our present unflattering image as a chronic import-dependent nation.” he said.

    He said that it wasn’t enough for the country to be contented with the huge natural endowments of long coastline and urged investors to finance the acquisition of vessels, particularly Nigerian-flagged ones with the capacity to participate in deep ocean-going international trade.

    He noted that the revamping of public utilities would serve as incentive to current and prospective investors in the industry, adding that improved security that guarantees the safety of persons and goods around our maritime assets and a committed war against endemic corruption will lead to rapid development in the industry.

     

  • N4.37m poultry products seized

    The Headquarters Monitoring Team of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Idiroko Axis, has seized a vehicle carrying foreign poultry products worth N4,374,000.

    The vehicle  was  intercepted on the Sango-Idiroko Road,Ogun State.It had 810 cartons concealed in it.

    The patrol  team, led by Yahaya Usman, an Assistant Comptroller of Customs (ACC), trailed the vehicle, following a tip-off.

    The smugglers, it was gathered, escaped into the bush when they saw Customs officials pursuing them.

    Contacted, Usman said his team engaged the smugglers based on the renewed onslaught against smuggled frozen poultry products to protect the local industry.

    Usman said his team has an effective synergywith the resident units and commands of the service and it is committed to total eradication of smuggling of poultry products and other prohibited items.

    The launch of Operation ‘Hawk Descend’ by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Allhaji Dikko Abdullahi, in Lagos last week, Usman said, has further boosted the operational efficiency of his team towards ensuring that the fiscal policies of the Federal Government in terms of trade are jealously guarded.

    Usman said his team alongside others are fully equipped to curtail the activities of smugglers, and vowing to deal with smugglers operating in his area of jurisdiction.

    He told The Nation that the seized items would be destroyed and buried at a designated site on the NCS premises Ikeja, under the watch of critical agencies of government, such as NAFDAC and others.

    Usman called on Nigerians to support the service in its anti-smuggling crusade through genuine information that may lead to the arrest of smugglers and suppressing their illicit trade.

    He expressed satisfaction with the  Comptroller-General and his management for the enormous support given to his team.

     

  • Ship owners boycott Expo

    The Nigerian Maritime Expo-(NIMAREX) 2015 edition was  boycotted, last week, by its key stakeholders and some ship owners.

    Some key members of the Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA) were absent at the event. Other critical stakeholders in the maritime and shipping sector were also not there.

    Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Director-General Dr. Patrick Akpo-bolokemi, attributed the poor attendance to the crisis rocking NISA.

    Akpobolokemi, represented by the Executive Director of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr Calistus Nwabueze, urged the shipowners to close ranks, saying the Federal Government would implement the Cabotage Act and ensure that it works.

    “This is not the type of event that we envisaged, we expect to see all the shipowners who come to NIMASA to register their vessels, the core practitioners are not here, you need to reach out to them and make them identify with NIMAREX and other critical programme which NIMASA organised so that together we can build the sector better than it is.

    “I want to also say that it is very important that we forge unity within NISA; the shipowners, it is only when you are united that you can attract the attention of government, not when you are speaking in discordant tunes.

    “Presently, there is a very serious effort by the Federal Ministry of Transport to look into the operational difficulties we are having in the implementation of Cabotage Act, and emphasis is being placed on developing indigenous vessel acquisition capacity”.

    Akpobolokemi hinted that the much-awaited disbursement of Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) might take place any moment from now, assuring that the Ministry of Transport is currently showing renewed interest on vessel acquisition.

    Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Managing Director Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado-Bayero urged stakeholders to use maritime resources to develop the economy.

    The NPA boss urged the stakeholders to play leading role as catalysts to the development of the economy.

    He, however, said the downward trend in global oil price had posed a challenge to national development.

    Bayero urged Nigerians to take full advantage of the abundant maritime endowments and growth opportunities in the maritime sector.

    “There is no gain saying that most great nations of the world delivered their greatness from the endowments.

    “Early civilised states such as Egypt derived her prowess and globally-acclaimed wealth and prosperity from the blessings of the Great Nile River.

    “The tradition has been sustaining Egypt till date as one of the greatest maritime nations of the world.

    “Singapore is known as solely relying on her maritime endowments which have been developed to the extent that the country is reputed to be the world’s bunkering destination,‘’ the NPA chief said.

    He said that Indonesia was reputed for her high production of seafarers who were all over the world manning vessels of different configurations and sizes.

    The Chairman of the NIMAREX 2015 planning committee, Mr. Adedoyin Ayo however, called on the Federal Government to look into the problem of funding for vessel acquisition and tonnage building, saying that the maritime sector contributes immensely to Nigeria’s GDP.

     

  • Customs inaugurates clinic in Lagos

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) has inaugurated a clinic at its Western Marine Command, Apapa, Lagos, to take care of its officers and the host community.

    The clinic was named after the wife of its Comptroller-General, Hayija Sa’Adiya Abdullahi Dikko.

    Speaking at the inauguration, Abdullahi, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General, Musa Tahir, said he was happy the Controller in charge of the Western marine, Umar Yusuf, had rehabilitated the command within his eight months in office.

    Abdullahi said the clinic came at a time when the Customs introduced operation “Hawk Descend” which will make the smugglers look for alternative ways outside the roads and bushes, stressing that the waterways will be their next port of call.

    “I know that officers and men of the command are up to the task because they have the necessary wherewithal and coupled with their training on Ak47, I know you are equally well-prepared,” he said.

    Abdullahi said that the service is serious about the welfare  of its officers, adding that Usman had keyed into the vision of ensuring that the officers are taken care of through the provision of the clinic.

    He said that the clinic is for the officers and also the host community, pointing out that Customs management will continue to support the command.

    The Customs boss assured further that management will ensure that the clinic serves optimally, justifying  the purpose for which it was established,while providing all the necessary facilities.

     

  • How NPA can aid Buhari’s economic plan

    How NPA can aid Buhari’s economic plan

    (NPA) can generate over N40 billion yearly if all revenue loopholes are plugged, The Nation has learnt.

    To achieve this, a senior Federal Ministry of Finance (FMoF) official said, the NPA management must be compelled to embark on programmes that will make the ports more effective and efficient.

    To the official, President Muhammadu Buhari will realise his dream of boosting the economy and creating jobs by focusing more on NPA.

    The official said in 2011, NPA remitted N29 billion into the Federation Account, making its highest remittance in its history.

    He urged the government to compel the management to fashion out the strategy to increase its revenue.

    NPA, the official said, needed experienced and core professionals to hold key positions to boost operations and generate more funds.

    He accused NPA of institutional weakness bordering on lack of coherent policy framework on port administration, noting that most of the countries in West Africa are building ports that can berth vessels with capacity for 14,000 containers.

    The 2006 port concession, he said, was a bold move to reposition NPA and make it competitive.

    “Chief Adebayo Sarumi is reputed as the father of the new NPA, on account of successfully shepherding the port concession process that led to ceding of certain aspects of NPA’s operations to the private terminal operators for efficient service delivery.

    “Succeeding Chief Sarumi was Mallam Abdusalam Mohammed, whose most pressing challenge was to ensure that the ship of port concession did not miss its course nor sink. In all sincerity, he tried to strike a balance between the old order and the new NPA, where entrenched interests of the union, the new terminal operators, the shipping line agents and the larger stakeholders became an issue.

    “Based on the current happenings in the port industry, NPA needs to devote ample time and resources to the actualisation of Deep Sea Port projects, especially the ones in Lekki, Lagos and Ibom in Akwa Ibom State. It should also be focused on the proposed Badagry port.

    “President Buhari must ensure that the current management of NPA turns the ports into an enterprise that will yield more revenue into government covers through improved vessel calls and an enhanced volume of cargoes coming to the country.

    “The greatest attestation of NPA as a successful business enterprise that is capable of paying returns on investments to its owners became manifest under its former Managing Director, Omar Suleiman.

    “Suleiman was a home grown CEO, having joined the organisation immediately after graduating from the university. It was Suleiman who unprecedentedly remitted a whopping N29 billion into the Federation Account in 2011; a feat yet unparalleled in the NPA’s history.

    “Significant projects such as the Lagos harbour moles, quay wall and apron, installation of marine fenders in Zone 1, 2 and 3 were carried out by him.

    “Other capital projects he embarked upon included the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt port road network and water supply, connection of Onne Port to National Grid (33KVA) from FOT Junction to Main Gate of Federal Terminal, rehabilitation of Julius Berger Terminal ‘C’ Old Port Warri, Delta State, reconstruction of Perimeter Wall Fence at Warri port, dredging of Escravos-Warri-Aladja to Koko Channel in the Warri Pilotage District.

    “He also kick-started a programme for the development of Deep Sea Port in Nigeria. This desire accelerated the vision for Ibaka Deepsea and Lekki Deep Sea Port.

    “The Ibaka Deep Sea Port as envisioned by Suleiman is to be the hub of oil and gas operation in the Gulf of Guinea. The port is said to be between 17 and 18 meters draught without dredging and its quay area is expected to span over two kilometres. It is designed to accommodate mega vessels of over 10,000 TEUs,” the official said.

    The official said, if not for unforeseen challenges bordering on administration, “the Ibaka Deep Sea Port would have become operational by this year, as that was the port’s projected take-off date.”

    Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), National President Prince Olayiwola Shittu lamented what he called the “harsh conditions” at the Apapa and Tin-Can ports and urged NPA to address the situation.

    “Stiff competition for hub status the Nigerian ports are struggling for is expected from West and Central African coast from Mauritania to Angola. This maritime axis is one of the few regions of the world with a dominant hub distribution port.

    “Nigerian ports and their handlers especially the current top officials of NPA should emulate the strategy of Omar Suleiman, who within the shortest available time was able to actualise the dream of a post-concession port system in which users and provider of port services are happy.

    “The port concession is a bold move to reposition the Nigerian Ports Authority and make it a competitive enterprise, with a capability for efficient service delivery.  The exercise was also meant to turn the NPA into an enterprise that will yield more revenue into government covers through improved vessel calls and an enhanced volume of cargoes coming to the country. To a large extent, this has been achieved.

    “Most of the terminals have also grown their throughput by about 250 per cent since port concession. Therefore, if President Buhari administration can block all the loopholes, nothing stops the NPA from remitting between N40 billion and N50 billion to the Federation Account every year.

    “It is to the credit of Engr Suleiman that the former Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Chief Godswill Akpabio handed over the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of the over 5580 Sq meters of land area for the new port to the NPA. That Akpabio handed over the master plan of the port to him is now history, but what the NPA has been able to do with it, is the question its management should tell Nigerians,” Shittu said.

    The ANLCA chief said the ports of Singapore and Egypt are contributing immensely to their economy and urged NPA to emulate them.

     

  • Shippers Council plans new port order to reduce congestion

    Shippers Council plans new port order to reduce congestion

    To reduce congestion at sea ports, over 70 per cent of in-coming cargoes are to be examined at off-dock terminals, under a scheme being planned by the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), it has been learnt.

    Diversion of cargoes to neighbouring countries will also end under the council’s proposed new port order.

    Off-dock terminals are dry ports such as the Inland Container Depots (ICDs).

    The planned new order will promote efficiency and reduce cargo dwell time and the ports’ cost of doing business.

    A senior Federal Ministry of Transport (FMoT) official said under the proposed order ports, business would become more attractive, adding that NSC is also a port community system to make smooth its relationship with other agencies to generate more revenue for the Federal Government.

    “The new port order is for service-providers, users and all stakeholders in the maritime industry to enable them operate in line with global best practices and generate more revenue for the government.The order entails making the nation’s sea ports competitive, efficient and cost effective in delivery of services as well as making the ports user-friendly.

    “It will also lead to improvement in marine and terminal handling services delivery that will lead to reduction in the turnaround time of vessel and reduced cost of vessel operations,” the official said.

    The official continued: “The port community system involves every player, what he does, timing of activity and cost for such activity. It is a command and control centre, which creates a nexus between all existing systems in the industry. It is a means of integration among all players to boost efficiency and transparency at ports.

    “Since its appointment as port economic regulator by the Federal Government in February, last year, the NSC had in October, last year directed, reversed the storage charges at the ports to the rates, which were in force as at May 1, 2009, topping it up, in favour of shippers, with an increase in the free storage period at the port from three days to seven days.

    “As part of the moves to make the ports attractive for business, the NSC   directed shipping companies to reduce their shipping line agency charges from N26,500 to N23,850 per TEU and from N48,000 to N40,000 per TEU. It also imposed a maximum of 10 working days on the terminal operators as the period within which refund on container deposits by importers or their clearing agents should be effected. Although, the directive has been challenged in court, but we still consider it as good move by NSC to bring hope and sanity to our port system.

    “The objective of the system is to establish a framework that will promote the competitiveness of the nation’s sea ports beyond its neighbouring ports of Cotonou, Ghana, Togo, Cameroun and other ports in the sub-region.’’

    NSC Executive Secretary Mr Hassan Bello, the official said, was determined to enthrone an efficient port system that would facilitate trade and lead to increased revenue generation for the government.

    “One of the reasons for the concession of the ports to private terminal operators was to reduce cost. Cargo dwell time and the cost of doing business must come down for our ports to be competitive; it must be relative to operation and services that are being rendered by the terminal operators and the shipping companies. That is the mandate given to NSC as a port economic regulator and that is what its management is trying to enthrone in our ports to boost the nation’s economy,” the official said.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has apologised to NSC for not involving the interim port economic regulator in last year’s tariff hike.

    Findings revealed that NPA wrote to NSC, introducing the tariff hike, but withdrew the letter when the terminal operator took offence over the matter.

    Speaking during Bello’s visit to NPA Managing Director Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado-Bayero in Lagos, last week, NPA’s Executive Director, Marine and Operations Mr David Omonibeke promised that the authority would carry the NSC along before increasing port charges.

    Omonibeke explained that the NPA did an increment last in 1993. He exonerated the agency from the high cost of doing business at ports.

    NPA, he said, was still collecting $920 after leading a ship to berth.

    Bello urged NPA to ensure that the proposed Lekki deep sea port does not face the same challenges as Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports.

    He also urged NPA to facilitate dry ports operation.

    If the dry ports began operation, they would serve as ports of origin and final destinations, where people could send their cargos abroad and receive them, he said.

    Ado-Bayero promised to back NSC, saying: “We will give you all the necessary support to deliver on your mandate. Together, we will move forward and establish a relationship that would be sustained and maintained.

    “I wish you gridlock-free journey to your office.”

     

  • Shippers Council plans new port order to reduce congestion

    Shippers Council plans new port order to reduce congestion

    To reduce congestion at sea ports, over 70 per cent of in-coming cargoes are to be examined at off-dock terminals, under a scheme being planned by the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), it has been learnt.

    Diversion of cargoes to neighbouring countries will also end under the council’s proposed new port order.

    Off-dock terminals are dry ports such as the Inland Container Depots (ICDs).

    The planned new order will promote efficiency and reduce cargo dwell time and the ports’ cost of doing business.

    A senior Federal Ministry of Transport (FMoT) official said under the proposed order ports, business would become more attractive, adding that NSC is also a port community system to make smooth its relationship with other agencies to generate more revenue for the Federal Government.

    “The new port order is for service-providers, users and all stakeholders in the maritime industry to enable them operate in line with global best practices and generate more revenue for the government.The order entails making the nation’s sea ports competitive, efficient and cost effective in delivery of services as well as making the ports user-friendly.

    “It will also lead to improvement in marine and terminal handling services delivery that will lead to reduction in the turnaround time of vessel and reduced cost of vessel operations,” the official said.

    The official continued: “The port community system involves every player, what he does, timing of activity and cost for such activity. It is a command and control centre, which creates a nexus between all existing systems in the industry. It is a means of integration among all players to boost efficiency and transparency at ports.

    “Since its appointment as port economic regulator by the Federal Government in February, last year, the NSC had in October, last year directed, reversed the storage charges at the ports to the rates, which were in force as at May 1, 2009, topping it up, in favour of shippers, with an increase in the free storage period at the port from three days to seven days.

    “As part of the moves to make the ports attractive for business, the NSC   directed shipping companies to reduce their shipping line agency charges from N26,500 to N23,850 per TEU and from N48,000 to N40,000 per TEU. It also imposed a maximum of 10 working days on the terminal operators as the period within which refund on container deposits by importers or their clearing agents should be effected. Although, the directive has been challenged in court, but we still consider it as good move by NSC to bring hope and sanity to our port system.

    “The objective of the system is to establish a framework that will promote the competitiveness of the nation’s sea ports beyond its neighbouring ports of Cotonou, Ghana, Togo, Cameroun and other ports in the sub-region.’’

    NSC Executive Secretary Mr Hassan Bello, the official said, was determined to enthrone an efficient port system that would facilitate trade and lead to increased revenue generation for the government.

    “One of the reasons for the concession of the ports to private terminal operators was to reduce cost. Cargo dwell time and the cost of doing business must come down for our ports to be competitive; it must be relative to operation and services that are being rendered by the terminal operators and the shipping companies. That is the mandate given to NSC as a port economic regulator and that is what its management is trying to enthrone in our ports to boost the nation’s economy,” the official said.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has apologised to NSC for not involving the interim port economic regulator in last year’s tariff hike.

    Findings revealed that NPA wrote to NSC, introducing the tariff hike, but withdrew the letter when the terminal operator took offence over the matter.

    Speaking during Bello’s visit to NPA Managing Director Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado-Bayero in Lagos, last week, NPA’s Executive Director, Marine and Operations Mr David Omonibeke promised that the authority would carry the NSC along before increasing port charges.

    Omonibeke explained that the NPA did an increment last in 1993. He exonerated the agency from the high cost of doing business at ports.

    NPA, he said, was still collecting $920 after leading a ship to berth.

    Bello urged NPA to ensure that the proposed Lekki deep sea port does not face the same challenges as Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports.

    He also urged NPA to facilitate dry ports operation.

    If the dry ports began operation, they would serve as ports of origin and final destinations, where people could send their cargos abroad and receive them, he said.

    Ado-Bayero promised to back NSC, saying: “We will give you all the necessary support to deliver on your mandate. Together, we will move forward and establish a relationship that would be sustained and maintained.

    “I wish you gridlock-free journey to your office.”

     

  • Customs seizes N1b goods in Imo

    Customs seizes N1b goods in Imo

    The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’ in Owerri, the Imo State capital, seized over N1 billion worth of goods in six months.

    Its Area Controller, David Dimka said the unit seized 226 contraband with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1, 016,833,292 and arrested 129 suspects between January and last month.

    About 118 cases against smugglers, he said, were pending in the courts.

    Findings revealed that in March, the unit recorded 63 seizures with a DPV of N337,368, 522.

    This, according to Dimka, was the highest seizure by the unit in a month with 25 suspects held.

    He said 37 seizures with a DPV of N176,483,600 were made in January; 40 with DPV of N136,708,650 in February; 37 with DPV of N83,302,620 in April; 42 with DPV of N141,228,100 in May and 47 seizures with DPV of N138, 341,400 last month.

    The items seized included 210 vehicles, furniture and 296 bales of fairly used bags and suitcases worth N456,704,500; N101,805,700; N19,584,000; and N30,143,400.

    Others, according to him, are 3,905 pieces of used tyres worth N53,502,100; 2,126 cartons of imported frozen poultry products worth N30,566,804; 1,731 bags of 50kg rice worth of N35,678,600; beverages and juice worth #72,000.

    Dimka said 2,686 pieces of used footwear estimated at N6,253,800; 37 cartons of foreign soap/detergents with 202 cartons of foreign vegetable oil worth N6,874,020 were seized from smugglers.

    Other goods seized by the unit included electrical and electronics parts, used fridges, compressors and machinery that were used to conceal smuggled items worth N303,391,772.

    The NCS chief attributed the massive seizures in March to a stronger quest for materialism by the suspects.

    The Customs Area Controller also expressed concern over the persistent cases of smuggling despite the stiff penalties for those arrested.

    Dimka appealed to the public for their cooperation and support in the war against smuggling, assuring that the NCS men were better trained and equipped to meet its challenges.

    He praised the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Abdullahi Dikko for his support to men of the NCS, noting that these have strengthened his men’s commitment in the fight against smugglers.

     

  • River Benue dredging to cost N26b

    River Benue dredging to cost N26b

    • To be completed in two years

    The Federal Government has awarded a N26 billion con-tract for the dredging of lower River Benue to ease movement of cargoes from the ports to other parts of the country.

    Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Acting Managing Director Mr Danladi Ibrahim, who broke the news in Lagos, said the contract was awarded to Messr Oyins Oil and Gas Limited.

    He said: “We have awarded the dredging of lower river Benue for a tune of N26 billion. Also, the dredging of the lower river Niger is completed and quite a number of boats and jetties are under construction. We are all aware that we have completed the Onitsha river port and it will be concessioned to the private sector to operate any time from now.

    “Baro is 95 per cent completed; Lokoja is about 60 per cent as well as Oguta port. We have awarded the construction of Markurdi river’s port and any moment from now, it will take off.”

    Ibrahim said the major challenge facing the agency was funds, unfolding the plans to transform the parastatal to make it financially independent in the next few years.

    The plans, according to him, include the development of a multi-story office complex in Lagos, for revenue generation; the introduction of hover-barge technology in their operation and carrying along critical stakeholders.

    He promised that NIWA would collaborate with the governments of the riverine states to provide efficient inland waterways services.

    “As it relates to the conflict between NIWA and some state governments, we have issues with many states like Lagos, Rivers and Bayelsa but we are ready to engage them and collaborate with them to promote out services.

    “What we intend to do this time around, is to collaborate with these states. Any moment from now, we will be visiting all the states’ governors that we have issues with and collaborate.

    “We believe that by collaborating, this issue will be resolved and inland waterways will be used optimally. Instead of engaging in legal tussles and conflicts, I don’t see any reason  states and Federal Government cannot collaborate to develop the economy,” Ibrahim said.

    Ibrahim said the agency was also collaborating with a Dubai-based company to develop its Lagos Area Office into a multi-purpose edifice to provide world-class service and comfort.

    “We intend to have a 45–storey office tower here in Lagos and in it, we will have about five floors of super shopping malls and 10 floors of car parks attached to it, because it is a kind of inter-modal transportation system, we will have a train station that will link this edifice.

    “The government intends to have a metro station here and there will also be a modern jetty. This will be in partnership with a company in Dubai on a public-private partnership arrangement,” he said, adding that jobs would be created in the sub-sector as management plans to encourage private sector investments in deploying Hover crafts and Hover barges  that can be used to transport travellers and cargoes from the ports,” he said.