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Tag: NPA

  • ‘NPA rakes in N3b from Calabar Port in three months’

    The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) raked in about N3 billion from Calabar Port in three months, it was learnt.

    The amount was realised between January and March this year.

    Speaking with The Nation at the weekend, a senior official of the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMoF), who craved anonymity, said the revenue excluded terminal operators’ huge debts to the NPA.

    According to the official, the NPA generated over $3.3 million and over N176 million from the Calabar Port within the period.

    The NPA, the official said, also collected over $3.3 million and over N77 million as revenue from the port during the same period.

    Investigation revealed that the NPA generated $697,001 and N63,604,478 in January this year, and collected $1,500,340 and N10,736,116 during the same period.

    In February, findings revealed that the agency generated $1,162,050 and N73,348,301. It also collected $834,593 and N30,332,126 during the same month.

    The NPA, it was gathered, generated $1,501,922 and N38,125,608 in  March, and collected $1,476,840 and 36,402,244 in the first quarter of the year.

    The agency, the FMoF official said, was able to generate the amount because of the policies adopted by its Managing Director, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman.

    “When we looked at the dollar amount generated and collected at the Calabar port by the NPA, we discovered that it was over $6.6 million. NPA also raked in over N254 million during the first three months of this year.

    “We are happy that the management of NPA has put the Calabar Port to good use to boost the economy.

    “We, in the Ministry of Finance, sincerely appreciate the relentless efforts of Ms Hadiza Bala Usman and her management team in restructuring the organisation, which has assisted in achieving optimal operational efficiency in the ports and boosted government revenue,” the official said.

    The NPA, he said, generated about N3 billion from Calabar port during the same period.

    “We learnt that the serene environment created by Ms Usman and enjoyed by stakeholders attracted more importers and increased ship traffic to the Rivers port. This led NPA to more revenue generation for the Federal Government.

    “Her robust policy has also led to the move from the long-standing International Ship and Facility Security (ISPS) Code level 2, to the current level 1. We were told that she also instructed all her port managers to maintain a cordial relationship with stakeholders and the host communities.

    “Considering the directive by Ms Usman and her team on training and retraining of members of staff on the E-Service, such as E-SEN, Revenue Invoicing Management System ( RIMS), Customers Potal and E- Manifest, the NPA management has brought prospect to potential port users, stakeholders and operators,’’ the official said.

  • Protest over NPA policy traps 3,000 containers in Apapa port

    No fewer that 3,000 containers are trapped inside the Lagos Port Complex Apapa as a result of the lockdown created by a new policy introduced by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on the return of containers to the port, a port official said yesterday.

    The official said trouble started when NPA management at the port decided to take over the control of traffic in and out of the port area from the Nigerian Navy.

    He said the NPA officials, without prior warning, upturned the Navy’s truck call-up system and decided to create a new arrangement “without informing anyone about it”.

    A truck driver, who identified himself as Sulaiman Adeoye, confirmed that the new policy led the truck drivers to down tools on Tuesday and Wednesday in protest.

    He said: “They (NPA) just suddenly came on Monday and said all trucks must first go to a shipping company’s loading bay from where they are to be called into the port. Unfortunately, this is contrary to the arrangement being implemented by the Nigerian Navy, which has worked very well and has eliminated the Apapa gridlock.

    “The new NPA arrangement forces all trucks to go the loading bays but there is no modality for how they’re to come into the port from there. The new arrangement has led to chaos in the port and cargoes are trapped even as trucks are trapped at the loading bay. This action just does not make any common sense.”

    NPA officials did not respond to enquiries on the matter. Its spokesman, Abdullahi Goje, did not return calls made to his phone.

  • FG’s agencies flouting Presidential Order at the ports, says NPA

    The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is seeking the intervention of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo over non-compliance by some government agencies with the Presidential Order on the Ease of Doing Business at Ports.

    The Managing Director of NPA, Ms Hadiza Usman said this on Saturday in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Office of the Vice President oversees the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) which issued the Presidential Order.

    The Order streamlined the activities of all agencies in the nation’s ports to achieve a 24-hour cargo clearance target.

    The NPA managing director was told by a delegation of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) that some government agencies were flouting the Presidential directive.

    She said, in response, that it was regrettable that some agencies had not fully complied with the Order.

    Usman said that the authority would continue to fulfil its own part of the Order, adding that NPA could not compel other agencies to do what they were supposed to do.

    “NPA is implementing its own part of the Order. We cannot compel other agencies to do what they are supposed to do,’’ she said in a statement.

    She noted that aggrieved stakeholders should also report the defaulting agencies to the appropriate authorities.

    The National Vice President of ANCLA, Dr Kayode Farinto urged the managing director to intervene to ensure that officials of the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine are prevented from entering the ports.

    Farinto also made an appeal that NPA should ensure that the newly- constructed temporary Truck Park at Tin Can Island Port (TCIP) is put to immediate use. (NAN)

  • NPA: $40m equipment coming to Calabar Port

    The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has concluded plans to deploy equipment worth over $40 million to Calabar port, in Cross  River State, its Managing Director, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, said yesterday.

    The measure, it was gathered, is being taken  to boost efficiency, security and make the port attractive for business.

    Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by NPA at Calabar port complex, Ms Usman, who was represented by the General Manager Marine and Operations,  Mr Joshua Asanga, said some tug boats, pilot cutters and other equipment worth several millions of dollars would be deployed to boost efficiency at the port.

    Although, Ms Usman did not state the amount of the equipment, but sources at Calabar port said it would cost  the agency more than $40million to deploy the sofisticated equipment and operational vehicles.

    The NPA chief said the four consultants engaged by the agency for the bathymetric survey of the channel leading to Calabar port have concluded their assignment so that the dredging of the channel will commence.

    She condemned indiscriminate abandoning of wrecks on the channel leading to the port warning owners to remove them or face sanctions.

    She urged investors to take advantage of the strategic location of the Calabar port to boost export and assured them of Federal Government’s commitment to dredging the channel to meet their expectations.

    Ms Usman assured the stakeholders and investors that adequate depth of the channel leading to the port would be dredged  to accommodate big ocean going vessels and adequate security provided.

    She urged government agencies at the port to collaborate to key into the Federal Government policy on ease of doing business, boost cargo clearance and facilitate trade.

     

     

     

     

  • NAGAFF urges FG over SON return to seaport

    The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has urged the Federal Government to ensure the return of standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to the seaport.

    The group wants SON back instead of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administrative Control (NAFDAC) that was recently returned to the port.

    Dr. Boniface Aniebonam reacting to the spate of substandard items imported into the country told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos that SON should be actively involved in the import inspection of goods and quality assessment at the ports.

    Aniebonam, who spoke on behalf of the association, said the return of SON will help to identify substandard products in the market that are injurious to the public.

    He said that the importance of this exercise is enormous, considering the economic, health and safety implications of the public.

    “On weather SON should return to the port? I would say the presence of SON in the port is needed more than the presence of NAFDAC that are presently dominant at the port.

    “So, we are calling on the Federal Government to ensure that SON returns to the port; as we are aware of the harm substandard goods cause to the economy and safety of the people.

    “Our stand is that SON should be dominant in the port, while other agencies like NAFDAC should be called upon whenever their services are needed” he said.

    NAN reports that the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) had asked the officials of SON to vacate the seaports or risk being arrested.

    The NPA directive said was in line with a new order issued to the agency by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

    Aniebonam, however charged the Nigerian Shippers Council to prosecute shipping companies who refused to comply with the directive on return of container deposit to importers.

    NAN

  • MD: NPA to complete deep seaports

    THE Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has assured stakeholders of its readiness to complete deep seaport projects across the country.

    Its Managing Director, Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman, made the pledge on the sideline of the visit of the management of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), led by its Acting Director-General, Chidi Izuwah, to her office in Lagos.

    She stressed that early completion of the project would not only facilitate efficiency, but also strengthen the Federal Government’s policy on  Ease of Doing Business.

    She stressed the need to fast-track the dredging of channels to accommodate bigger vessels to facilitate trade, generate more revenue and make the seaports competitive in the sub-region.

    The NPA chief said the approval of the five-year renewal being sought by Lilypond Terminal was almost concluded.

    Earlier, the Izuwah lauded the changes in the sub-sector  since Ms Usman took over. He commended the improved synergy among relevant stakeholders, adding that it has provided a level-playing ground for all, boosted efficient service delivery and  improved port operations, among others.

    Izuwah said the concession agreement entered between Josepdam Ports Services (JPS) and the NPA  had not yielded the desired results due to some challenges.

    He said JPS listed the challenges to include third party (Honeywell Group) plant and equipment occupying more than 25 per cent of the terminal land mass, and the litigation filed against the company by the third party.

    According to him, they also include lack of access road to the port, 100 per cent physical examination of containers, which has resulted to undue delays in cargo clearance and multiplicity of agencies around the port area.

    Izuwah said the NPA also raised concerns against JPS, including delay/partial payment of lease fees, which are in the concession agreements.

    “It is on this premise that the ICRC decided to embark on this monitoring to brainstorm with your management and the NPA on the way forward.

    “As the regulator of the lease agreement, we cannot fold our hands and leave you to struggle it out alone.

    “Under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, there is a will to address this issue and effort is being made to resolve it to create a win-win situation for all parties,” he said.

    Izuwah maintained that disagreements on ports’concessions must be resolved to make ports the hub for international shipping trade in the West and Central African sub-region.

    JPS Managing Director, Mr Simon Travers urged the commission to assist in finding a solution to the issue of the third party presence at the terminal, adding that it is hindering its operations.

    He suggested that the NPA should review and extend the lease agreements for the years lost due to the third party interference and appealed to the government to repair the access road to the port.

  • NPA committed to single window operation, says MD

    The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is committed to the establishment of Single Window Operation (SWO)  for government agencies at the ports to promote efficiency and ensure competition with neighbouring ports, its Managing Director, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, has said.

    Ms Usman, who spoke with The Nation, said the introduction of a Single Window Operation and automation of services at the ports were necessary to drive the change needed to reform the sector.

    The single window operation and automation, she said, will enhance efficiency and decrease waste, adding that there would be openness in the system and process of cargo clearance.

    Ms Usman said people would be attracted to the ports with increased volume of cargoes, which would then enhance revenue generation.

    According to her, there will be more employment and the ports will become the preferred destination for importers. “Some of the delays affecting our ports have been eliminated by NPA and we are also collaborating with other agencies like Customs to introduce other electronic system of doing things,” she said.

    The NPA chief urged other government agencies to take deliberate action to address many challenges confronting the port system through consistent and predictable policies.

    Investors, she said, need certainty and ease of doing business in Nigeria, which can be brought about by quick intervention, especially in the gridlock at Apapa.

    According to her, no matter how efficient a terminal is, if there is no road to evacuate cargoes, how can you do it.

    She also advocated for the deployment of Flat Bottom Vessels (FBV) in channels with low draught in the nation’s seaports.

    The use of the FBV in shallow channels, she said, will serve as a workable solution for the draught limitations in some ports, mostly  in Calabar and Warri.

    A flat bottom 200-metre long and 61,000mt heavy vessel FBV, according to her, berthed last year in Calabar Port, despite the draught limitations of its channel. This, she said, underscores the fact that such vessels can navigate in such shallow channels.

    She appealed to stakeholders in the sector, especially those in the shipping sub-sector, to devise ways of collaborating with the NPA to see the presence of more FBV in such channels, considering their comparative advantage.

    “The NPA is willing to midwife and facilitate any proposal, which would make the new arrangement possible,” Ms Usman said.

  • ‘NPA generated over $160m at Rivers port in two years’

    The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) generated over $160 million and N2.5 billion from the Rivers port between 2016 and last year, it was learnt.

    A senior official of the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMoF) told The Nation that the revenue excludes terminal operators’ “huge debts” to the NPA.

    NPA, the FMoF official said, was able to generate the amount because of the policies adopted by its Managing Director, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman

    “We, in the Ministry of Finance, sincerely appreciate the relentless efforts put in place by Ms Hadiza Bala Usman and her management team in restructuring the organisation, which has assisted in achieving optimal operational efficiency in the ports and boosted government revenue,” the official said.

    NPA, he said, generated $57,601,191.20 and N772, 458,535.93 in 2016, and collected $20,122,781.09 and N366,091,603.45 during the same period.

    In 2017, the official said, the NPA generated $62,301,975.72 and N1,121,834,253.10 and collected $20,605,246.82 and N435,881,674.09 last year.

    “We learnt that the serene environment created by Ms Usman and enjoyed by stakeholders attracted more importers and increased ship traffic to the Rivers port. This led NPA to more revenue generation for the Federal Government.

    “Her robust policy has also led to the move from the long-standing International Ship and Facility Security ( ISPS) Code level 2, to the current level 1. We were told that she also instructed all her port managers to maintain a cordial relationship with stakeholders and the host communities.

    “The Rivers Port Complex has the potential to serve as the hub centre of transshipment. The vast undeveloped areas that surround the Bonny River reclamation Zone along the Port approach/port limit is suitable as investors Haven for cargo consolidation.

    “The Brass LNG situated within the port’s jurisdiction is investors’friendly to meet the global requirement of liquefied natural gas. In furtherance to the Federal Government policy to boost/harness the resources, private sector investment would yield optimal and accruable revenue from oil and gas.

    “Considering the directive by Ms Usman and her team on training and retraining of members of staff on the E-Service, such as E-SEN, Revenue Invoicing Management System ( RIMS), Customers Potal and E- Manifest, the NPA management has brought prospect to potential port users, stakeholders and operators,’’ the official said.

    The official added that the Ministry was happy that NPA has a responsive management team, which has led to reduction in vessels turnaround time, serious improvement in revenue generation and collection, improvement in service delivery and improved safety guidelines at ports.

    Speaking with The Nation on the amount generated by NPA from Rivers port, Ms Usman said the agency is doing everything possible to make the ports outside Lagos attractive for business to boost government revenue.

    NPA, she said, is happy over the revenue profile of the Rivers port because the government needs money to fix the economy.

    NPA management, the Managing Director said, has concluded plan to make sure that finger jetty at the dockyard, operational Tug Boats, patrol boats and functional water hydrants at the quays are provided to attract more cargoes and ships traffic to Rivers port.

    Usman, however, urged terminal operators that are indebted to NPA to pay before necessary sanctions are imposed on them.

  • NPA deploys $30m equipment in Onne Port

    •Customs ‘intercepts elephant tusks, pangolin worth N1.2bn’

    The Nigerian Ports Authority ( NPA) has concluded plans to deploy equipment worth over $30 million to Onne port, Rivers State, it was learnt yesterday.

    The measure, it was gathered, is being taken by the NPA Managing Director, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, to boost efficiency, security and make the port attractive for business.

    Onne Port Complex is one of the key ports of the nation under the NPA, it is situated on the Bonny River Estuary along Ogu creek.

    Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the NPA at the Onne Port complex yesterday, Ms Usman, who was represented by the Executive Director, Finance & Administration, Mohammed Bello Koko, said six pilot cutters, tug boats and 17 meter offshore patrol boats, would soon be deployed to the port to make the port attractive and stem the cycle of criminalities within and around the port.

    Although, Ms Usman did not state the amount of the equipment, but sources at Onne Port told The Nation that it would cost  the agency more than $30 million to deploy the sofisticated equipment.

    The managing director condemned what she called indiscriminate anchorage  of vessels and directed the perpetrators to desist.

    She urged investors to take advantage of the strategic location of the port and as one of  the largest oil and gas free zone in the world supporting exploration and production for economic activities. The free zone provides a logistic oil service centre for the oil and gas industry in Nigeria (Onshore and Offshore), also providing easy access to the entire West African and sub-Sahara oil fields.

    Ms Usman assured the stakeholders and investors that adequate depth of the channel leading to the port would be dredged  to accommodate big ocean going vessels and adequate security provided.

    The Managing Director, Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone, Umanah Okon Umanah, who was at the meeting commended the NPA for repositioning the port for greater efficiency.

    He urged other stakeholders to collaborate with the NPA in its efforts to make the port a hub of maritime activities.

    Another stakeholder, Mr Felix Abraham, said the deployment of the equipment would assist the port in taking its rightful position “as a hub for the west and central Africa Sub – regions in oil and gas and  has an advantage of accessibility, proximity to the Eastern commercial centres  like Onitsha, Nnewi and Aba, among others.

    “Activities such as pipe coating, waste treatment and boat building are provided by companies located in Onne.

    “The port is highly industrialised with modern facilities and equipment that can stand the test of time anywhere in the world.

    “It has one of the biggest habour mobile cranes in Africa, (Liebherr 600) with a lifting capacity of 208 metric tonnes. Also 220 Gmk 5220 grove twin cranes that has capacity of lifting single heavy duty cargo of 300 tonnes,” he said.

    At the meeting were representatives of the host community, importers, clearing agents, terminal operators, investors and representatives of security agencies including Customs, Immigration, Navy and the police.

    Also yesterday, the Minister of the Environment, Ibrahim Jibril, says the Nigerian Customs Service has intercepted elephant tusks and pangolin, worth about N1.2 billion, between February 15 and March 22.

    Represented by his Permanent Secretary Malam Shehu Ahmed, the minister said in Abuja at a one-day workshop on how to combat illegal wildlife trade and international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora.

    The workshop was organised by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment.

    “On February 15, the Nigerian Customs intercepted and seized 55 sacks of pangolin and 218 pieces of Elephant tusks worth N493, 520,000.

    “In less than a month later, the service intercepted and confiscated another 329 sacks of pangolin scales, weighing 8,492kg, valued at N732,857,393.

    “The wild animals and their habitats have since been subjected to enormous pressure through over-exploitation, trade and irrational use to the extent that many of the animals are now threatened.

    “But even more worrisome is the fact that Nigeria is being used as a transit route for illegal wildlife trade and the image of our nation is being destroyed,’’ he said.

    Jibril said that the government was taking necessary steps and measures to protect and promote sustainable use of the terrestrial ecosystem, while sustaining programmes aimed at curbing forest management, combat desertification, land degradation and loss of biodiversity.

    He said: “I am highly delighted to address you at this important workshop and the ministry is highly impressed by your prompt response to this call to national duty.

    “We will all make efforts to reverse the trends that are capable of destroying Nigeria’s rich biodiversity, denying our nation the full realisation of its economic development potential.’’

    The minister said the disappearance of many high-grade timber species like Iroko, Ebony, Brown Mahogany and African Oak, among others, was worrisome.

    Jibril said: “The State Department of Forestry is now searching endlessly to be able to find some of these species through what is now regarded as tree exploitation or salvage logging.

    “The ministry has programmes that constitute the framework for a dynamic, evolving process for cooperation among stakeholders.

    “These programmes are catalysts for the involvement of entire society and point of reference for all agents involved in the process of conservation of nature to ensure environmentally sustainable development in the country.’’

    Mr Paul Dunn of Wildlife Conservative Society (WCS) said that the workshop was designed to address the menace of the illegal wildlife trade.

    The workshop was attended by relevant ministries, members of the diplomatic corps and environment-related non-governmental organisations.

  • Shippers to submit manifest to Customs, NPA seven days in advance

    The Federal Government has directed shipping companies to give their cargo manifest to the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) seven days before their ships arrive at the ports.

    The advance manifest, it was gathered, will enable the government to know the cargoes’details  and the risks before the vessels’ arrival.

    The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) issued the directive during its meeting at the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) office in Lagos.

    Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment Dr Jumoke Oduwole said the directive became imperative because of the government’s determination to enthrone global best practices and facilitate trade.

    To ensure compliance with the Executive Order on 24-hour ports operations, Oduwole said the government had instructed that shipping agencies must submit their   manifest electronically to the Customs and NPA seven days before the arrival of any vessel.

    The measure, she said, would ensure that risk management is profiled and separated on time before the ship’s arrival.

    The President Muhmmadu Buhari administration, she said, was focusing on issues causing insecurity, inefficiency and delay at the ports.

    NSC Executive Secretary, Mr Hassan Bello, said the measure became necessary to achieve better service delivery.

    He said the manifest would ensure security risk assessment before the ship and the cargoes arrival.

    The measure, he said, would address delays in cargo placement and offloading.

    Bello called on shipping companies and government agencies to work together to achieve the seven-day deadline.

    He implored agencies at the ports to complement one another instead of competing with themselves.

    Bello said the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) launched by the Council was a guide to port users, adding that the government was determined to provide an enabling environment for the stakeholders to move the maritime industry forward.

    Former National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, (NAGAFF) president, Chief Eugene Nweke said the measure required carriers to send advance commercial information about their shipments to the Customs and NPA.

    The collection and risk assessment of pre-arrival data, Nweke said, would improve the government’s ability to detect high-risk shipments before they arrive at the ports. Also, freight forwarders and clearing agents, he said, would clear low-risk, legitimate trade from the ports more efficiently.

    No Customs officer attended the meeting. But a senior Customs officer, advocated that cargo-carrying vessels should provide information on the cargo manifest, such as its consignor, consignee, quantity of goods, origin, destination and value.

    On the difference between the   manifest and bill of lading, the Customs official said: “A cargo manifest and a bill of lading sometimes carry similar information and the concept  is not always clearly distinguished. In some cases, a single document may serve both purposes.

    “In general, a bill of lading serves as a legal instrument focusing on and documenting such issues as ownership, whereas a cargo manifest is often more concerned with physical aspects of the cargo, such as weight and size. When the cargo is being shipped by different shipping companies on the same vessel, there will usually be separate bills of lading for each company, but only a single consolidated cargo manifest. On the other hand, if the cargo contains dangerous goods, there may be a separate dangerous cargo manifest.

    “In the United States, the government requires importers to file certain data elements before cargo destined is laden on board a vessel at a foreign port. These pre-importation filing requirements are known as the Importer Security Filing (ISF) or “10+2.”

    “Although these requirements affect both importers and carriers, the ISF rule has become more import compliance focused. The ISF rule mandates that the following data elements must be filed at least 24 hours prior to the loading of the cargo on an ocean vessel bound for the United States: manufacturer /(supplier) name and address; seller’s name/address; buyer’s name/address; ship-to name/address; importer of record number; consignee number(s); country of origin of goods; commodity HTSUS number; container stuffing location; and consolidator/stuffer,” the official said.

    He added: “With this directive, shipping lines  are now required to electronically transmit advanced manifest of their cargoes to Customs and NPA as soon as the vessel departs the last port of call – this is to ensure there is enough time for risk assessment, profiling and optimised placement of cargo.

    “Customs will then circulate the cargo manifests to other examination agencies and the terminal operators as soon as same are received from the shipping companies. Any shipping company that fails to transmit the advanced cargo manifest may be denied berthing rights or sanctioned by the government.”

    Findings revealed that the  measure was adopted in order to  know the type of cargo and the risks involved before arrival, prepare for emergency, confirm stowage and plan storage for goods that need special treatment.