The Nation Newspaper

Tag: goes tough

  • Fed Govt goes tough on arbitrary port charges

    Plans are under way by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to end arbitrary charges at the nation’s sea ports, The Nation has learnt.

    The Federal Government, it was gathered, has finished its study of the various tariffs across ports in West Africa, and determined to ensure that Nigerian ports are competitive compared to its neighbours.

    Speaking with The Nation at the weekend, a senior official of the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMoF), who craved anonimity, said the government was reviewing the concession agreement to make the ports attractive and competitive by eliminating the legion of arbitrary charges importers and their clearing agents are being made to pay by the private terminal operators.

    The President Muhammadu Buhari administration, the official said, was going tough on arbitrary charges based on the economic diversification agenda of the government.

    “Through the on-going review of the concession agreement, the Federal Government was determined to check the excesses of the private terminal operators by ensuring that things like arbitrary tariff by terminal operators will be checked

    “The review of the concession agreement by the government  will further sanitise the sector and enhance smooth operations and clearance of cargo at the ports.

    “Many illegal payments that contribute to making Nigerian ports  non-competitive in the West African region will soon be eradicated and the review will boost the ease of doing business initiative of the government,” the source said.

    The new operations rate as contained in the review agreement, the FMoF official said, cannot be circumvented by the private terminal operators.

    In the proposed review agreement exclusively sighted by The Nation, it is now mandatory for all terminal operators “to use their best efforts to do the following: •develop, market and promote cargo throughput and cargo-related business of the lease property in order to achieve maximum utilisation thereof in a manner that  is consistent with applicable law and prudent industry standards; and • ensure that there is no decline in the standards of the operations; •the lessee shall perform the operations in such a manner as to achieve the performance requirements in the applicable years of the term. •the lessee shall ensure that the operations rates shall be in accordance with applicable laws and competitive within the port and with other competing ports of Nigeria and its neighbours having facilities similar to the lease property.

    Read also: Publish vehicles charges, importers urge Customs

    • the lessee shall charge cargo dues and delivery charges for the operations which are not greater than the rates set forth in Section A of Appendix H (the “Operations Rates”) in accordance with the terms and conditions included therein.
    • The lessee shall not make any increases in the operations rates unless agreed to in writing by the parties and any required consents of governmental authorities have been obtained.
    • Value added taxes and other taxes shall be added as required to the accounts rendered to the lessee’s customers.
    • Income from the operations rates shall accrue directly to the lessee without any collection, deduction or set off by the lessor or the regulator.
    • The lessee shall also be allowed to charge for other services rendered but not specified in Appendix H, including but not limited to: terminal handling, inland container depot transfers. storage and for penalties for violation of applicable rules and regulations set down by the lessee.
    • The level of terminal handling charges and inland bonded terminal transfer charges shall not exceed the market rates charged by the shipping agents and the lessor respectively prior to this agreement, and any future-increases shall require the consent of the relevant governmental authorities.

    The Federal Government through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the FMoF official said, was coming up with stiffer penalty for any terminal operator that refused to publish it’s operations rates from time to time.

    “Terminal operators shall at all times publish their rates, charges and conditions of the operations as may be  directed by the lessor, the NPA or the regulator, the Nigerian Shippers Council shall make such information immediately available upon request by any person

    “Terminal operators shall afford to all who may request the operations uniform treatment under like conditions and shall not apply discriminatory charges on any person. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this Section shall not prohibit the lessee from granting preferential rates in accordance with the provisions set out in Sub Section (e).

    “lf preferential rates are applied to any customers of the lessee, the lessee shall inform the lessor and if applicable, the regulator in writing of the same. If the lessor can show to the satisfaction of the regulator,  that the preferential rates applied by the lessee are discriminatory, the lessor shall have the right to instruct the lessee to apply such rates to all other similar customers of the lessee using the operations and the lease property.

    “ Other than in circumstances where the lessee charges preferential rates, if the lessee is not able to charge the operations rates and/or other charges referred to in sub-section (b) above to its customers, the lessee shall refer the matter to the regulator for determination of the rates chargeable.

    “ In the event that the lessor or any other governmental authority receives a complaint of discrimination on the part of the lessee, and the regulator, concludes after its investigation of such complaint that there are reasonable grounds for such complaint, then the lessee shall immediately cease and desist from such practices and pay any applicable penalties provided for under applicable law,” he added.

    To complement government efforts  in repositioning the ports for greater efficiency and competitiveness, the FMoF official said there must be synergy between  NPA and the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC).

    The Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, the official said, must ensure that the NPA, as  the landlord and the Shippers Council, as the Ports Economic Regulator work together for effective enforcement of the provisions of the new concession agreement.

    The FMoF official said the lack of necessary synergy and proper understanding between the two agencies was responsible for the impunity with which the terminal operators are violating the concession agreement.

     

  • NIMASA goes tough on dangerous imports

    The  Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has vowed to deal with those involved in the shipment of dangerous goods to the country.

    The agency, sources said, is to implement safety codes on dangerous goods to enhance safety in the marine environment.

    Its Director of Operations, Mr Rotimi Fashakin, said the indiscriminate dumping of dangerous goods in the marine environment has been a growing concern and a threat to human health and the environment.

    He said the IMDG Code was a convention under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to which Nigeria is a signatory.

    He recalled the negative effect that the dumping into Koko Port in Delta in 1988 of 18,000 barrels of hazardous waste from Italy and recent similar cases on the area.

    He said there was the need to pay special attention to the negative effects that dumping of dangerous goods in the environment could cause the residents.

    “The special requirements in the transportation of IMDG are to eliminate or minimise the risk of injury to people.

    “Over the years, the maritime sector in many countries had taken measures to regulate the transportation of dangerous drugs through identification, labelling and stowage of such goods,” Fashakin said.

    He said that the measure for international regulation on transporting dangerous goods was ratified by the 1929 International Conference on Safety of Life at Sea and adopted in the 1948 Conference.

    He added that the usefulness of most IMDG, especially, to industries had made them inalienable from man hence the desire for them.

    “This session is, therefore, part of Nigeria’s readiness to effectively perform its statutory responsibilities of implementing the IMDG Code on transporting dangerous goods in order to guarantee the health of its citizens,” he said.

    Also, Dr Felicia Mogo, NIMASA’s Head of Marine Environment Management Department, who facilitated the session, said that the code was meant to enhance the safe carriage of dangerous goods.

    She advised port users to be patriotic in their dealings in order to save the country from danger.

  • Customs Strike Force goes tough

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) has impounded about 3,000 bags of rice worth over N45 million. Two suspects, it was gathered, are been held in connection with the seizure.

    The 3,000 bags of rice were seized in Ogun State by Comptroller-General of Customs Col. Hameed Ali’s  Strike Force, which was set up to combat smuggling.

    The force is posted to the Customs four zonal offices in Lagos, Kaduna, Bauchi and Port Harcourt.

    Sources close to the Service told The Nation that the smuggled rice were concealed inside containers and trucks belonging to some registered companies.

    The smuggled rice numbering about 3,000 bags of 50kg has a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of about N45 million.

    The interception is coming barely a week after the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, said the Federal Government would close some of the land borders due to massive smuggling of rice.

    A source said: “Customs Zonal Commander of the Strike Force (Zone A),   AC Salisu Assababullah , led the team that made the seizure at Ijebu Ode,  Ogun State.

    “The  strike force was able to make the seizure through intelligence gathering and immediate response to the information gathered on the nefarious activities of the smugglers around the area.

    ”The CGC task force intercepted 3000 bags of 50kg rice smuggled into the country. They were intercepted along Ijebu Ode expressway with two suspects in custody.”

    ”We were able to get intelligence report that container laden trucks were taken to the border area, load it with smuggled rice and put seal as if it were a container released from seaports.”

    The source attributed the Strike Force’s success to other members of the team and acknowledged the Federal Government’s approval of brand new Pick-Ups for anti-smuggling which, he said, aided  the  interception .

    On June 7, 2016, the Federal Executive Council presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari approved N1,5 billion for the procurement of 68 brand new Ford Pick-Ups for the Customs.

    The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, who briefed State House Correspondents alongside the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning and the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the operational vehicles available for the service were grossly inadequate for effective anti-smuggling.

    She added that the need to effectively patrol the borders, enhance Customs’ bid to suppress smuggling and increase revenue collection gave rise to the request to purchase 68 operational vehicles.

    Adeosun explained that having identified the need, the Service made provision for the purchase of 68 operational vehicles, Hilux, in its 2017 capital appropriation.

    The strike force got nine vehicles from the 68 vehicles approved by FEC for anti-smuggling and in two weeks, the strike force was able to intercept 3,000 smuggled rice.

    A senior Customs officer advised smugglers to engage in legitimate business.  Part of the force’s mandate, according to Customs National Public Relations Officer, Mr Joseph Attah, is to check officers’ activities.

    He said the force was set up to fight smuggling.

    “The team is empowered to enter any command system on suspicion of fraudulent activities taking place or about to take place with a view to blocking all revenue leakages from the system.

    “The team is allowed to partake in the examination of any suspected container generated by the ICT,” he explained.

  • 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.

     

  • Fed Govt goes tough on visa issuance to stop terrorists

    Fed Govt goes tough on visa issuance to stop terrorists

    •Foreign missions to adopt strict policy
    •Boko Haram fighters found in Libya, northern Niger

    To ensure that undesirable elements do not enter the country, the Federal Government has directed it missions to adopt strict visa issuance policy.

    The directive followed the botched attempt by the Chief Imam of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Ahmed  Al-Assir, to enter Nigeria.  Visa applicants from marked areas will, henceforth, be subjected scrutiny, sources said.

    Security agencies have already  stepped up investigation into Al-Assir’s possible contacts  in Nigeria.

    There will also be increased profiling of Nigerians travelling to suspected ISIS strongholds and visiting foreigners. An agency report yesterday said that Boko Haram has dispatched between 80 and 200 of its members to team up with ISIS in the Libyan city of Sitre.

    The report added that Algerian security forces believe that Boko Haram members are currently fighting in northern Niger Republic.

    There were concerns that some ISIS members might have sneaked into Nigeria to Boko Haram.

    A government  source said yesterday that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has directed all Nigerian missions abroad to “be strict with visa.”

    “The end of carefree issuance of visa is gone, all the missions have been directed to subject applicants to thorough screening before they can enter Nigeria,” a source said.

    “Special attention will be paid to ISIS prone areas and allies in some countries. We have records of the operation areas  and affiliates of ISIS.

    “Those coming from suspected areas will henceforth provide comprehensive details of their contacts, hosts and itinerary to the Nigerian Immigration Service(NIS).

    “These are preemptive measures we have in place pending the conclusion of investigation into the visa row of Al-Assir.”

    It was also gathered that  security agencies have been analysing the preliminary report from the Nigerian Embassy in Lebanon on how the ISIS Chief Imam obtained visa with a fake Palestinian passport.

    The probe is being handled by the Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) , Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the NIS.

    A source familiar with the development said: “We cannot afford to take things for granted; we are studying the supposed  itinerary of Al-Assir based on the decoy documents he used to apply for visa.

    “There is a way we can track down his network in Nigeria. Definitely, it is obvious that he has some links in the country.

    “The clues we are investigating border on whether some ISIS members have arrived in Nigeria or if Al-Assir was on a mass recruitment mission.

    “You know he is also being interrogated by security agencies in Lebanon, we are going to compare notes with them.”

    Al-Assir was arrested on August 15 at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport,Lebanon on his way to Nigeria through Egypt.

    He has been  on the watch-list of Lebanon’s security services since 2013.

    At the time of his arrest, Al-Assir was holding a fake Palestinian passport with Nigerian visa.

    Prior to his disguise, the Lebanese government had accused him of alleged involvement in the death of 17 Lebanese soldiers.

    He had also been sentenced to death in absentia by a Lebanese Court.

    Before Al-Assir’s ill-fated trip, the NIS had barred no fewer than 4,916 Nigerians from traveling out of the country between January and March.

    Some of those affected were suspected to be travelling to enlist in some terrorist movements, including the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq and the Taliban.

    Also, 12,152 foreigners were refused entry into Nigeria because they had no genuine reasons for visiting the country.