The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Senator Idris Umar

  • Rumble at port over storage charges

    Rumble at port over storage charges

    The move by the Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) to force terminal operators to return port charges to the pre-2009 arrangement suffered a temporary setback last week, despite  that the Minister of Transport Senator Idris Umar has waded into the matter, it was learnt.

    The pre-2009 port charges were approved  by the government but the terminal operators have since engaged in what they called prograssive increase in port chages.

    However, the NSC as the port  regulator, said the terminal operators must revert to the old rate because the increase in the charges was illegal.

    This has caused a disagreement among the NSC, freight forwarders and the terminal operators in the last few weeks; and the role of the NSC as the commercial regulator of the port system, sources close to the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) said, has been put to test.

    The minister, it was gathered, has summoned a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja to address the  issues raised in a petition by the freight forwarders’ group against terminal operators for imposing arbitrary charges. But the meeting, it was learnt, could not resolve the matter.

    A source close to the meeting said while the representatives of the freight forwarding group and others said their position, the representative of the terminal operators, maintained an unusual silence because of the litigation their umbrella body, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), has instituted against NSC at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi Lagos on the matter.

    The plea by the Minister that stakeholders should be open in their discussions on the port charges, it was learnt, was ignored by the aggresssors who cited their case at the court.

    The role of the NSC as the commercial regulator of the port system, sources close to the meeting said, had been put to test based on its inability to enforce the advertised new charges and the alleged inability of the minister to resolve the matter before the meeting ended.

    Also, the inability of the Executive Secretary of NSC Mr Hassan Bello who chaired the meeting after the minister left, to resolve the issue, findings revealed, did not go down well with the freight forwarders because of the unpleasant practices in the ports system.

    But the Director, Media and Publicity to the National President of ANLCA  Joe Sanni said the pricing mechanism of services in the ports, should be established by the government to attract businesses to the port.

    “Progressive storage charges have no known legal basis, neither is it practised anywhere in the world. Therefore, it must be dropped forthwith. That’s the crux of illegal charges. A standing committee of critical stakeholders must be established to meet every month to brainstorm on the brought-up operational challenges in the ports, for discussions.

    “Decisions arrived at, at such meetings should be passed on to the Nigeria Shippers Council, to engage relevant stakeholders, before implementation. Key Performance Indicators-KPI also needs to be introduced to monitor the performances of ports operators

    “A robust auditing of the major stakeholders in the port system has to be introduced and continuously sustained to serve as guiding rules to raising cargo through put in the maritime industry,” he said.

    In a statement by STOAN’s spokesman, Mr Bolaji Akinola,  the APM Terminals attended the meeting despite  the suit filed against it by STOAN at the Federal High Court.

    “APM Terminals’ representatives made it clear that they were at the meeting without prejudice to an ongoing court case on progressive storage charges and did not say anything at the meeting.

    “While various persons expressed different opinions at the meeting, it would be very wrong to imply that an agreement was reached on reversal of storage charges or on the powers of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council. These matters are sub-judice. It is therefore wrong to make comments or pass judgment on a matter that is pending before a court of competent jurisdiction,” Akinola said.

    Those at the meeting included the officials of NSC, BPE, Maritime Workers Union (MAWUN), APM Terminals, National Presidents Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) and the Association of Registered of Freight Forwarders, Nigeria (AREFFN).

  • Rail line rehabilitation 90% completed, says minister

    Rail line rehabilitation 90% completed, says minister

    •Begins new shuttle service in Lagos

    The rehabilitation of the narrow gauge rail lines throughout the country are over 90 percent completed, the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, has said.

    Umar, who spoke in his office, disclosed that the rehabilitation was the first phase of the 25-year strategic master plan for the Nigeria Railway. He said the overhaul would promote  efficiency.

    The resuscitation of the railway by the Jonathan administration, Umar added, has created over one million jobs, both directly and indirectly in the last four years.

    The minister said the jobs were created through the ongoing construction of new rail lines and the rehabilitation of existing ones which is a key component of the railway’s transformation agenda.

    He noted that tied with the railway transformation is the desire to reposition the nation’s economy for the overall benefit of Nigerians.

    He said: “When this rehabilitation is completed, the Nigeria Railway would be able to increase its efficiency and this will no doubt have positive impact on the state of transportation which is presently experiencing tension as a result of the pressure on the roads.”

    He said so much is taking place simultaneously in the railway subsector and when all eventually come on stream, the government would have been able to hand over to Nigerians, a modern, safe and reliable means of transportation in which they can be proud.

    He said development appeared to be on the slow pace in the sector because the sub-sector is capital intensive and most of the hardware and rolling stocks are produced strictly on demand.

    Meantime, the NRC has added a new Train Shuttle Service (TSS), to be known as “short – hop” between Ikeja and Apapa to its growing array of mass transit services.

    The service, which took off yesterday, November 10, will cost N400.

    A statement by Mr. Muyiwa Adekanmbi, the Ikeja District Public Relations Officer, said, the shuttle was designed to relieve passengers’ stress on the roads due to traffic snarl which usually characterise these two major bus terminals in Lagos State.

    Adekanmbi listed the various stopping stations along the route, to include Iganmu, Ebute – Metta Junction, Yaba, Mushin, Oshodi and Ikeja, when the take-off is from Apapa and vice-versa.

    He said: “The time schedule for the train service aimed at promoting individual or group bookings for a quick, stress-free and reduction in journey time trip from Ikeja at 12:45pm and 4:15pm, while the train is scheduled to take off at Apapa at 11:30am and 3:15pm.

    He said the service is meant for passengers intending to embark on a faster and time saving travel time from two of the most famous commercial hubs in Lagos.

    “This adds up as part of effort being put in place by the Management of the Corporation to relieve the stress intending passengers experience on our roads due to gridlock which characterise these two main points from where the train will be initiating and disembarking. This is also expected to help reduce congestions on Apapa road which constitute a major headache for users of that road following various reports from the public,” he said.

    The newly purchased Diesel Multiple Units (DMU) will be used for this service. The DMU have remarkable features such as air conditioner, enough leg room, and comfortable seats among other unique qualities. They were incorporated into the services of the NRC early this year.

  • Expect fast train ride from Lagos to Abuja soon – Minister

    The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, has said that passenger train service from Lagos to Abuja would come on stream by 2015.

    According to the minister, the train journey from Lagos to Abuja and vice versa, would take only three hours, adding that the express train would stop over at only three stations before destination.

    Umar, who stated this in Abuja on Friday while giving account of stewardship by his ministry in the last three years, said the train service would be competing favourably with air transport service.

    Stressing the importance of functional transportation system, the minister said: “The role of transportation in the socio-economic and political development of any nation cannot be over-emphasised as developments in all other sectors of the economy depend on the efficient performance of the transport system.

    “Generally, the fundament goal of the transport sub section under the transformation agenda is to develop an adequate, safe, environmentally sound, efficient and affordable, integrated transport system within the framework of a progressive and competitive national and international market economy.”

    Umar further stated that the rehabilitation over 90 percent of existing narrow gauge lines throughout the country was ongoing, being the first segment of the 25-year railway strategic vision.

    The minister said intra and intercity train services had since been restored in Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, Offa, Minna, Ibadan and others, adding that rail system targeted about five million passengers in 2014.

    He listed companies patronising train cargo system for their products to include the Flour Mills, Lafarge Cement, Inland Container Limited, Eastern Line Contractors, NRC and Connectrail Limited.

     

  • Calabar Port strategic to economy, says Minister

    President Goodluck Jonathan’s approval of  the dredging of the Calabar Ports has been described as vital not only to the economy, but also to the Southsouth and Southeast.

    The Minister for Transport, Senator Idris Umar, said this when he received a delegation of traditional rulers from the area, led by the Chairman of the Southsouth Monarchs Forum, King Edmund Dakoru.

    Umar disclosed the government’s plan to establish seaports in Badagry, Delta and other coastal towns. He said the Calabar Port is strategically important to the  two zones and the country.

    The country, the Minister said, has suffered enough neglect of its coastal waterways which are supposed to be  a veritable means of economic transformation.

    “With this dredging, the economic activities, especially within the two zones will spring up again, creating massive employment opportunities in the area and in the whole country,” he said.

    Umar said the creation of more ports was in line with the transformation agenda of the President,  adding that a maintenance firm has been appointed to manage the Calabar channel. He urged the private sector to fully tap into the inherent economic benefits.

    He lauded the President’s efforts in ensuring that life was brought back to hitherto comatose projects, such as railway system and inland waterways and assured that the Eastern rail line from Port-Harcourt -Maiduguri which is under rehabilitation would soon be completed.

    He thanked the rulers for expressing their gratitude to the President for the dredging of the Calabar Channel.

    King Dakoru, who led five first class rulers, said they had come to thank the government for the dredging of the Calabar seaport.

    Dakoru said the port would be of immense benefit to the erstwhile landlocked regions.

    Members of the delegation include HRM Eze Cletus l Ilomuamja- Obi of Obinugwu and Chairman, Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja-Jeki V, Amamyananabo of Opobo, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi, Obong of Calabar, HRM Alh Aliyu K Danesi-Aidonogie of South Ibie and Secretary, South-south Monarchs Forum and the Special Assistant (Special Duties) to the President, Dr Alfred Chiakor.

  • Maritime varsity, ship-building yard coming

    Maritime varsity, ship-building yard coming

    The Federal Government is to establish a Maritime University at Okerenkoko in Delta State to enhance capacity building, Minister of Transport Senator Idris Umar said yesterday.

    Umar was speaking during the inauguration of three newly acquired security and enforcement boats and send-forth of 655 beneficiaries of the Seafarers’ Development Programme at the Nigerian Maritime Resource and Development Centre in Kirikiri, Lagos. He said the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) had established Institutes of Maritime Studies in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Lagos, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University in Lapai, Niger State and Niger Delta University in Bayelsa State.

    He said the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron, Akwa Ibom State, had been strengthened with infrastructural and technical capacity to make it more responsive to human capacity development. Efforts, he said, were on to make the Academy a degree-awarding institution by affiliating it to the World Maritime University in Malmo, Sweden.

    Umar said the development of young and quality seafarers was a direct response to the dearth of seafarers globally and particularly in Nigeria. The 655 cadets, he said, would leave shortly for various maritime training institutions in Egypt, India, Philippines, Romania and the United Kingdom.

    He said the ministry and its parastatals had carried out various initiatives and reform programmes aimed at securing Nigerian waters against piracy and armed robbery.

    NIMASA Director-General Mr. Ziakede Akpobolokemi said last year 1500 cadet trainees were selected for training under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) adding that the selection of the 655 cadets brings to 2505 the number of trainee cadets expected to undergo academic, technical and sea time training under the programme.

    He said that 15 state governments currently support the programme and urged others to show interest and support. NIMASA, he noted, believes that the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme in the nearest future will make Nigeria Africa’s hub for supply of skilled maritime human capital. He also said that government is planning to build a ship-building yard for practical and technical training for students of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Akwa Ibom State.

  • FG to construct extra rail lines

    FG to construct extra rail lines

    The Federal Government has disclosed plans to construct seven rail lines in addition to the existing and rehabilitated gauges.

    The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, revealed this at the inauguration of boards for the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He said the ministry had commenced feasibility studies on the project and these would be completed by September, 2013.

    “We are currently carrying out feasibility studies to create seven additional standard gauge lines. The feasibility study would be completed by September this year, the result of which would be advertised for potential investors for their development under the Public Private Partnership (PPP),” Idris said.

    The Federal Government, since commencement of the present administration had embarked on actualizing a 25-year plan to resuscitate and revitalize the nation’s railways system.

    The plan which is in three phase involves railway system transition, modernization as well as system stabilization.

    The minister restated commitments to complete on-going rehabilitation of Port Harcourt to Maiduguri rail line before the year ends.

    According to him, the construction of Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri and Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge lines are expected to be on track next year.

    Speaking on the review of NRC Act, Umar said the Bill has been approved by the National Council on Privatization but would be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for further endorsement.

     

  • Board of inquiry sits in Lagos

    The Marine Board of Inquiry set up by the Federal Ministry of Transport to probe the MT Concept/Redfferm oil spill at the Tin Can Island, Lagos in 2009 has started sitting in Lagos.

    The board, which was inaugurated last month by the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, has Chief Nureni Kuranga as president.

    Its terms of reference include investigation of the circumstances that led to the incident, authenticate the veracity of the incident as reported, ascertain the legal status of the MT Concept/Redferm and its tonnage capacity. It is also to find out if MT Concept/Redferrm is covered by the relevant insurance policy as provided for by the International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC) Funds convention, determine the legal beneficiaries of any compensation arising and make any other recommendation that the committee may deem appropriate.

    Kuranga called on stakeholders in the maritime sector to work with the Federal Government in establishing a Marine Accident Investigation Bureau as this would ensure that investigation is carried out when evidence is still fresh and victims compensated without delay.

    He assured the victims of the oil spillage incident that the Board would make recommendations that would assist the Federal Government in taking a position that would further assist the IOPC London at making a fair and just decision.

  • Fed Govt dissolves Council of Freight Forwarders

    Fed Govt dissolves Council of Freight Forwarders

    The Federal Government has dissolved the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN). The dissolution followed the crisis that rocked the organisation after the government directed it to collect transaction fees at the ports.

    The Nation learnt that in a letter the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, has notified Chairman of the Council, Hakeem Olanrewaju of the dissolution.

    In the letter, the Council members were directed to quit their positions.

    Sources at the Ministry of Transport said the Council was dissolved because of a petition written to the Minister by the management of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS). The September 5 letter signed by the Assistant Comptroller–General of Customs, Mr Musa Tahir, for the Controller-General, said the approval granted to CRFFN to collect fees would increase the cost of business at the ports and cause delays in the clearance of goods.

    Also, the Minister, sources said, dissolved the council because of another petition by the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), claiming that the tenure of officers of the council had expired.

    In his letter to Olanrewaju the Minister noted that the elected council members have a four-year tenure which expired on August, 14. He said any decision by the council after this date was illegal.

    While dissolving the council, sources said the minister accused its leadership of extending their tenure by one year, in contravention of the council’s Act.

    A member of the board, who craved anonymity, told The Nation that though members of other associations had accepted to cooperate with the council, the Customs and ANLCA did not.

    Trouble, he said, started when the government approved transaction fees for CRFFN at the port.

    Under the fee regime, he said, importers are to pay N1.50 per kilo of every air cargo; N1,000 per 20-foot container, N2,000 per 40-foot container; N500 per car or Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) and N1,000 per truck or 20-foot equivalent.

    Others, he said, include N2,000 per truck or 40-foot equivalent; N3.50 per every ton of general cargo and N1.00 per ton of every dry bulk cargo.

    The minister, he added, also approved registration fees for freight forwarding practitioners, including Nigerians and non-Nigerians, ranging from N7,500 to N50,000 annually depending on their category of membership and annual subscription of between N10,000 and N60,000 for members of the council.

    But a senior official of the Ministry of Transport, who does not want his name in print, said the issue had gone beyond transaction fees, noting that the government did not want to deal with an illegal body. He said with the expiration of the board’s tenure, its members lacked the authority to perform.

    Efforts by The Nation to get Olanrewaju on phone proved abortive.