The Nation Newspaper

Category: Maritime

  • Police partner agents on security

    Police partner agents on security

    THE Commissioner of Police in charge of the Western ports, Mrs Hilda Harrison, has urged stakeholders in port operations to give useful information to the police on port security, to assist the force in carrying out its duties.

    The female police chief however, warned that any operator who violates the rules would face the  music.

    She gave the warning at the National secretariat of the Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) in Lagos.

    She promised to reduce bribery and corruption in the port to boost maritime business.

    “We all see, we all do and we are doing nothing about it. It is so sad and so painful because bribery diminishes a man. It is very shameful.

    “If you fear God and respect yourself, you will not take bribe and you will not be corrupted,’’ she said.

    She said the law does not allow bribery and corruption and advised stakeholders to guard against it.

    She urged other agencies operating in the maritime sector to support the Police by ensuring that the security at the port is not compromised, adding that security at the seaports is a serious business that must not be violated.

    Her mandate, she said, is to ensure that stakeholders in the sector abide by the rules and regulations in the ports, noting that the ports have its restricted area .In his speech, the NAGAFF President Chief Eugene Nweke said that the association will continue to partner with police in ensuring that the seaports are adequately secured.

    He said NAGAFF is involved in public advocacy, noting that security at the ports is important  to boost cargo clearance.

  • Shippers Council set to reduce human contact at ports

    Shippers Council set to reduce human contact at ports

    THe  Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC), is to automate cargo delivery process at the ports, the Executive Secretary, Hassan Bello, has said.

    Bello explained that the measure  would  reduce unnecessary human contact between importers, terminal operators and officials of government agencies at the ports, and reduce the incidence, or likelihood of bribery and corruption.

    The council, it was gathered, is not happy with the clearing procedures and that is why it is introducing new methods to boost trading activites at the ports.

    Bello, it was gathered, made the position of the council known at a meeting last week in Lagos with terminal operators, officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and stakeholders.

    It was gathered that Bello made it known to stakeholders that the council was not pleased that the 48-hour cargo clearance process by the government has not been achieved and urged stakeholders to key into it.

    The meeting, it was revealed, deliberated on issues militating the against 48-hour cargo clearance procedures, delay in carrying out examination of containers, transit trade and the need to adopt the automated method so as to reduce human-to-human contact in the cargo clearing process.

    Contacted, Bello said the council’s ultimate aim is to provide platforms for cargo clearance so that the ports can become efficient through automation.

    The Shippers’ Council boss urged stakeholders to come together and find solution to the challenges facing quick cargo clearance from the ports.

    “The idea is that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council is the referee in this friendly context, and the more we interact with the service providers and government agencies, the better understanding we will get,” he said, adding that the resolutions reached at the parley centred  on trade facilitation.

    “We need automation in our port instead of doing things manually. We need to streamline these processes and develop standard operating procedures, and check the presence of government agencies at the port on what they are doing and the Customs to also up their game in automation.

    “They have led the way but we need other stakeholders to come and buy in. So, we are doing a lot of consultation while we supervise and moderate. Customs has been leading in so many areas of what our ultimate aim is-which is automation, providing platforms for cargo clearance so that our ports will become efficient. The trade facilitation issue they have pioneered is something very commendable and it is a starting point.”

    The NSC boss also reiterated the need to streamline cargo clearance procedures and ensure Nigerian ports are more competitive with others in the West and Central African sub-region.

    “Nigerian ports are in competition with other ports within the sub-region, so we have to streamline our clearance procedures – the way we do business so that we attract more cargoes to Nigerian ports,” he said.

    Bello said some of the resolutions reached at the meeting will be directed to the government for prompt action, adding that the measures are in line with the NCS’ targets because they are strategic partners of terminal operators, shipping companies and freight forwarders

    He said that the Nigerian ports operations needed automation to meet the dynamic trends in the international maritime operations.

    “We need to develop standard operating procedures. We need to check the presence of government agencies in the ports on what they are doing,” he said.

  • Customs rakes in over N79b in Apapa, Seme

    Customs rakes in over N79b in Apapa, Seme

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command has generated about N78.6 billion in the third quarter of the year the Comptroller, Eporwei Edike, has said.

    Edike, told The Nation, that N30.5 billion was generated in September, while N22.7 billion and N25.5 billion came in July and August, respectively.

    Also, the Seme Command of the Service added N963.7m revenue in September.

    The amount generated by the two commands is well over N79 billion.

    The Command’s Public Relation Officer (PRO), Ernest Olottah, said the revenue was N182 million higher than the N781 million generated in August.

    He attributed the increase to higher trading activities and reduction of smuggling activities in the area.

    “In the month of September, the Command generated higher revenue because trading activities were higher than in the previous months.

    “Willy Egbudin, the Customs Area Controller of the Command, has deployed all personnel and available logistics on intensive vehicular and foot patrols along the border lines and all routes, including non-motorable areas.

    “These patrols and other anti-smuggling activities are paying off as unrepentant smugglers are fleeing the area.

    “Also, we are heading towards the tail end of the year so trading activities would increase and this would enable us to surpass our monthly target of N1.1 billion,” he said.

    He said the revenue generated in  September was the highest monthly collection made by the Command between 2013 and 2014, adding that the Command would realise the N13bn revenue target for the current year.

    He said the Command made 31 seizures in the month under review, including rice, vehicles, narcotics, frozen poultry products and general goods.

  • Boat operators decry multiple charges

    Boat operators decry multiple charges

    The Federal Government has been urged to build more Jetties to boost water transportation in Lagos State, to address the problem of multiple charges facing boat operators in the state.

    The President, Association of Tour Boat Operators and Water Transport of Nigeria (ATBOWATON) Tarzan Balogun, said the federal, states, local governments and the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) officials collect different dues from their members, urging that  government should harmonise the fees.

    He lamented that insufficient jetties and boat stations have impeded water transportation in the state.

    “A jetty is a point where boat operators assemble to convey passengers to their various destinations; it is also an arrival and departure point.

    “Some people in Lagos prefer to use water transportation as an alternative to road transport because of the traffic challenges on the roads.

    “But, the challenge we are facing is the issue of jetty. We do not have enough jetties that we can operate from,’’ Balogun said.

    He listed places like Badagry; Amuwo Odofin; Epe; Ikorodu; Makoko; Lagos Island; Ajah; Takwa Bay and Apapa, as locations where the jetties could be sited for easy movement of people within the state.

    Although, he said there are some functional jetties in some of the areas mentioned, many of them, he pointed out are in a deplorable  state and needed to be upgraded.

    “The few jetties around Lagos State are not enough to convey passengers on the waterways. The water transportation users are far more than the jetties we have now.

    “There are some areas in Lagos that need the service of boat operators, but the lack of jetties in such environment have denied them our services,” he said.

    He said the issue of multiple charges needs to be addressed by the government because it impedes their business.

    “The Federal Government agencies collect their charges, Lagos State government collects tax, the local governments collect their own dues too.

    “Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) collect their own charges as well, all these multiple charges kill the industry and can frustrate operators out of business,’’he said.

  • ‘Protect waterways against pollution’

    ‘Protect waterways against pollution’

    The rate of polluting the nation’s territorial waters, illegal fishing and duping of hazardous wastes has been on the increase, The Nation has learnt.

    A member of the Fishery Society of Nigeria (FISON), Gbolahan Adetona, said the country needs to work with foreign partners to develop the needed capacity in tackling the crisis caused by pollution, hazardous waste dumping and illegal fishing

    Adetona said the dumping of toxic waste in the maritime domain and the increasing crimes on the coastline require commitment on the side of the Federal Government and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to provide capability and cooperation with foreign partners to build its maritime capability.

    Adetona pointed out that security experts around the Horn of Africa have developed theories over the increasing hazardous wastes dumping and piracy

    He said Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand had set the stage for cooperation between states, both in information exchange and mobilisation of resources.

    Another member of the group, Mrs Lola Adebajo, observed that the insecurity in Africa’s waterways had forced insurers to hike rates for ships passing through the region.

    Specifically, coastal and inland states had seen their vital trade links threatened by pirates, a situation that led to rising costs that their populations must bear.

    “As at now, there are no clear answers as to the best ways to ensure maritime security, nor are there clear answers as to what percentage of resources nations should allocate to maritime security to best facilitate the goal of furthering development,” she said.

    Since piracy is not the only threat to maritime security, another member, Mr Sesan Olanipekun, advised the government to adopt best practices that can be implemented.

  • ANLCA urges members on trade facilitation

    ANLCA urges members on trade facilitation

    The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, (ANLCA) has directed its members to embrace the trade facilitation programme of  the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and partner its officers to ensure quick clearance of goods at ports and boost the nation’s revenue profile.

    Findings revealed that ANLCA, has mandated  its members to follow all Customs’ rules  and regulations associated with quick cargo clearance as we enter into the ember months and the Yuletide season.

    A member of the association from Onne Chapter, River State Chief Kingsley Offor, said the group has undergone various structural and operational changes in line with the freight forwarding profession with a view to attaining global standards and best practices.

    “ANLCA at national and levels have enforced compliance on members with the ethics and rules governing the profession aimed at creating a robust working relationship with all stakeholders with emphasis on the Nigerian Customs service (NCS)

    ANLCA as a major stakeholder in the freight forwarding profession, he said, has played tremendous role and impact in trade facilitation and revenue generation to the federal coffers.

    “These are reflected in most Customs area command as freight forwarders have created adequate partnership with officers and men of the Service with a view to enhancing revenue generation and facilitate trade,” Offor said.

    The new vigour injected by the current administration of Prince Olayiwola Shittu, has created a multiplier effect at most ANLCA chapters anchored on handwork, discipline, transparency and result-oriented programmes.

    Offor described the Onne chapter of the association, as a pacesetter in creating an enabling and conducive working relationship with the Customs.

    “ANLCA Onne chapter was the first chapter to erect a benefiting office structure for the association under the pragmatic leadership of Prince Prestige Ossy.

    A motor vehicle  importer in Onne, Mr Sunday Samuel and other stakeholders have however, called on Chief Offor to contest for the chairmanship of the chapter in their next election to allow for continuity and sustainability of the tempo in the chapter.

    Samuel and other stakeholders described Chief Offor as unassuming and humble, ready to listen and willing to serve with an independent and progressive mind for the benefit of majority.

    “Kingsley Offor has proved his mettle in the Nigeria Maritime industry and if elected as the Chairman, ANLCA Onne Chapter, he will usher in a virile, dedicated and result-oriented drive in the operational activities of licensed Customs agents,” he said.

  • N20b Calabar port contract: Firms may sue NPA, BPP

    N20b Calabar port contract: Firms may sue NPA, BPP

    The crisis generated by the award of the N20 billion Calabar channel contract by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to Calabar Channel Management Limited (CCM), a joint venture of NPA and a firm owned by a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator is not over, it was learnt.

    Some of the firms that bidded for the job, it was gathered, have contracted their lawyers to challenge  the “intrigues and scandals” that led to the cancellation of the procurement process of the contract by the NPA and its subsequent award in defiance of due process.

    The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), it was learnt, may be summoned to court over the contract.

    Sources close to some of the firms said they were considering their lawyers because they considered the method adopted by the NPA as unlawful, adding that they may institute a legal action against the two government agencies.

    Calabar Channel Management (CCM) Limited, the firms alleged, was not subjected to a pre-qualification test to ascertain its competence as required by the law before being awarded the contract.

    A senior official of one of the affected firms who craved anonymity said: “The law stipulates that a procurement of such magnitude must pass through the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) for a certificate of “No Objection” which is issued after grievances raised by the contending parties have been addressed.  But, through a letter in the last week of August, NPA notified bidders of government’s decision to nullify the re-procurement process for the channel in ‘public interest’.

    “We learnt that NPA was actually compelled by the Ministry of Transport to discontinue with the re-procurement process to avoid   jeopardising the lawmaker’s chances of clinching the job and that is why we are considering the idea of taking the matter to court in the interest of the nation.

    “It was gathered that the senator had about three years ago, latched on the failed 2010 procurement exercise to out-plot all those vying for the job.   Apparently convinced that his firm stood no chance in a competitive bid, he decided to exploit his relationship with the President to bring his dream to fruition.

    “He came up with the idea of a joint venture between his company and the NPA.  Armed with this, he approached the president to seek his assistance in making this a reality. “The president was said to have been favourably disposed to this but asked him to first explore the possibility of getting a company with dredging capabilities to partner with.

    “Help finally came in form of a Presidential Approval, which resulted in the formation of CCM. However, to make it seem as though the Transport Ministry initiated the move, the minister had to write the president asking for approval to form a consortium for the dredging of the channel which immediately received the President’s nod.”

    Officials of the aggrieved firms also said NPA’s equity participation in CCM is only 53 per cent while the senator’s firm has 47 per cent. This, according to them, is unlike other arrangements in which NPA has interest and where the profit sharing formula is 60 per cent for   NPA and 40 per cent for the private firm.

    “We the aggrieved bidders are insisting that the right thing still needs to be done in respect of the Calabar Port or we will head to court to resolve the matter.

    “Only the six bidders that were pre-qualified for the 2010 exercise deserve to be considered for the job.  This is more so as the dredging of the Calabar channel has served as a conduit pipe in the last 20 years,” they said.

    Contacted, a member of the NPA’s board who does not want his name in print said  the joint venture deal was sealed without reference to the NPA board and this, he said, explains why its chairman and the current PDP Board of Trustee chairman, Chief Tony Anineh was against the award of the contract to CCM.

    The board, he said, was infuriated by the deal that its chairman countered in a petition he sent to the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar.

    “In the protest letter, Chief  Anineh on behalf of the board warned of the dire consequences of   awarding such a huge contract to a company, which to us, “has no reference to past jobs done”.

    “Anenih also detailed the irregularities that characterised the creation of CCM including 16 flaws which the Ministry of Justice pointed out in respect of the joint venture agreement and which still appeared in the final document,” the board member said.

    Findings revealed that the public outcry that greeted the creation of CCM and the inclusion of Calabar Port and   Ibaka Deep- Sea Port has forced CCM to remove Ibaka Port from the joint venture agreement.

    The document communicating CCM’s resolution on Ibaka Deep-sea Port to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) was signed by one Odutan  Olumide Abayomi  and  the  senator.

    It reads:  “At  the extra-ordinary  General  Meeting of the above -mentioned company duly  convened and held at its  registered  office on  the12th  of July  2013, the  following resolutions were  proposed and duly  passed as follows:

    That the Memorandum and Articles of Association of  the Company  be altered as follows:

    That all the  clauses i.e. 3(a) (b) (c) (d) (f) and (h) where  the word  Ibaka Deep  Sea  Port appear  be removed  from the  Memorandum of  Association of the  company.

    That the articles of Association of the company be altered to reflect the  above;

    That a Memorandum and  Articles  of  Association  incorporating the  said alterations be  filed with  the  Corporate  Affairs Commission ,Abuja and  a certified true copy of  same  be obtained.

    Calls made to phone of the Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, NPA, Mr Musa Iliya, were picked but not audible enough while the text message sent to his mobile phone was not replied as at the time of going to the press.

  • Agents, importers kick over pre-shipment inspection

    Agents, importers kick over pre-shipment inspection

    The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), motor vehicle importers and intending car owners have kicked against the decision of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON)to subject all Nigeria-bound vehicles to pre-shipment inspection and verification before coming into the country.

    SON has already appointed three inspection companies: Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited, Quality Assurance Projects Limited and Medtech Scientific Limited, to carry out the assignment.

    The National President of NAGAFF Chief Eugene Nweke said  it was wrong for SON to impose additional levy on shippers through the new policy.

    He said NAGAFF in collaboration with the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) as well as intending car owners are not happy over the issue and urged the Federal Government to reconsider its stand on the issue.

    He said: “Where we do not agree is the arbitrary levies to be paid; you don’t just wake up one morning and impose levies. We want SON to tell us and the general public the index they used to arrive at a vehicle paying N20,000. Nigerian shippers and buyers are not idiots. If SON is living under that illusion, then, we need to the organisation up.

    “These are things that government should fund; it is an administrative issue, it is their obligation.”

    He said for SON to implement the pre-shipment contract, there is need to carry out a review of age limit on vehicles imported into the country. He noted that the quality assurance of the vehicles has already been taken into consideration at the time of manufacturing.

    Motor importers, car dealers and intending car owners described the introduction of the policy as a ploy tp provide “jobs for the boys”  because according to them, the destination inspection service providers are currently idle.

    An importer, Mr Yinka Akinlaja said SON is only seeking relevance at port after the Federal Government withdrew its services from port operations about two years ago.

    A pharmacist and and intending car owner, Tunayo Adetoro berates SON for introducing the policy as at the time when the cost of clearing vehicles at ports has soared.

    She said SON is looking for an avenue to find its way back to the ports, adding that payment of inspection levy on imported vehicles will add more to their cost and many Nigerians will find it difficult to own a vehicle of their choice.

     

  • Customs seizes N9m Indian hemp

    Customs seizes N9m Indian hemp

    The Nigeria Customs  Service (CS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone “C” has seized 399.5kg  wraps of Indian hemp (cannabis sativa) valued at about  N9 million.

    Its Area Controller, Victor Dimka said the hard drug were intercepted on the 9th Mile axis  in Enugu State.

    Dimka said the Indian hemp was concealed in a luxury bus along with other luggages to deceive his eagle-eyed officers on duty.

    His officers, the Area Controller  said, acted on information given to them and intercepted the bus bearing the cannabis sativa and other contraband goods such as foreign rubber slippers, used motorcycle and used computers.

    Dimka said the drug was later handed over to the officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation.

    He said the zone was now a “no go area” for smugglers, their agents and collaborators, stressing that officers and men of the NCS are now better trained, motivated and equipped with the state-of-the-art gadgets to deal with  smugglers wherever they may be.

    He said: “Despite efforts to reduce smuggling, smugglers have refused to listen to the voice of reason and it is quite unfortunate and disheartening that the deviants have continued with their nefarious trade.”

    He said the driver of the luxury bus, who is the prime suspect, has been arrested and would be prosecuted and if found guilty would be convicted in accordance with the provisions of the law, assuring that the NCS would continue to synergise with other sister agencies in the war against smuggling.

    He reiterated the determination of the NCS to win the battle against illicit trade, stressing that the drug war is  not the exclusive responsibility of the NDLEA , but that of all levels of government and all well meaning Nigerians.

    He regretted that the continued consumption of hard drugs by some disgruntled individuals has led to the upsurge of criminals in the society.

    He expressed delight at the relationship between the NCS and the NDLEA and gave an assurance that Customs would continue to be focused on its war against smuggling and arrest more smugglers to serve as a deterrent to others still engaged in illicit trade.

    Its Public Relation Officer (PRO),  Onuigbo Ifeoma said Customs also recorded 98 seizures in the Southeast and Southsouth geo-political zone of the country with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N322 million.

    Giving the breakdown of the seizures, she said officers of the zone also seized a container load of 112 bales of textiles material, 40 feet container comprising garments and furniture last month.

    She said four trucks containing 1,932 (50kg) bags of rice was impounded on the Benin axis.

    The image maker also advised intending car owners to always contact the help desk of any Customs formation to ascertain the genuineness of their Customs clearance documents .

  • Govt set to make dry ports functional

    The Federal Government is set to make all the dry ports across the country functional to reduce congestion at ports and bring shipping services to the doorsteps of importers.

    Government may declare all the dry ports as ports of destination and centres of exports in all its locations.

    The dry ports are located in Ibadan, Kano, Isiala-Ngwa (Abia), Jos, Funtua (Katsina State) and Maiduguri.

    The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr Hassan Bello, said the dry ports, otherwise known as Inland Container Depots and Container Freight Stations were created by the government to solve the perennial problem of port congestion.

    He said the dry ports were being driven by Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, adding that before now, government had been facing the teething problems of appropriate legal framework for the dry ports project to take off.

    He said the dry ports would be more effective if arrangement was made for an effective rail service.

    Bello said the council had embarked on negotiation with shipping line all over the world to stabilise freight rates.

    He said the appointment of a commercial regulator for the shipping industry would end the monopoly powers.

    Bello said the position of the council as a commercial regulator would increase and encourage participation of more private investors and increase the mechanism for settlement of disputes.

    He said the council would control the entry and exit of operators, adding that NSC had been acting in that role before it was appointed as an economic regulator.

    “The Council is conscious and alert to the practice of certain operators who will like to charge arbitrarily and we will checkmate this.

    ‘NSC ensures stability and ensures that the transport sector meets its expectations. For 10 years, due to negotiations with the shipping lines and market forces, NSC has been able to stabilise freight rates all over the world.

    “If not, the high costs would be passed on to consumers. NSC is an advocate of fair trade and we tell our members (shippers) to declare goods honestly and properly.

    “Now, you cannot increase port charges or local shipping charges without discussing with the NSC.’’

    Bello also admitted that  there was a tendency by some shippers to short-change the government through false declaration, adding that with false declaration, so many days would be added to the cargo dwell time that would result to demurrage and congestion.

    He said: “We have been intervening in areas of tariffs, benchmarking and service delivery. A law passed in 1978 must have some requirements for review. Now that port facilities are run by the private sector; large reforms in rail, road sector, it was expected there should be a commercial regulator and that is what we are now.’’

    On regulation of activities in the ports, Bello said one of the constituents of port reforms was provision of a regulator so that there would be equity and a level-playing field and he thanked the Federal Government for making the NSC the economic regulator of the ports.

    Bello also said the council came up with the initiative of having border information centres to reduce the difficulties faced by traders across borders.

    He said through the information centres, shippers would have access to a lot of information and data to facilitate trade.