Reps Order CBN to Remove First Bank from Nigeria Custom's Portal

Reps Order Removal of First Bank from Nigeria Custom's Portal Over alleged #100billion 

ZAINAB JUNAID

Strong indications have emerged that different containers would be trapped at various sea ports across the country following the orders given by House of Representative Committee on Customs to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to delist First Bank of Nigeria, FBN, from Nigeria Customs Service Portal.

First Bank Nigeria Plc has been accused of failing to remit over #100billion it collected on behalf of Federal Government of Nigeria on Export Proceeds for Nigerian Exports Promotion Council, (NEPC) thereafter banned from subsequent collection of import duty revenue.

While speaking with journalists, acting president of the Association of Nigerian Licenced Customs Agents (ANLCA), Dr Kayode Farinto, affirmed that currently, clearing agents have been unable to clear cargoes from the port because Customs would henceforth not accept duty payment on PAAR or Form ‘M’ opened under First Bank.

Dr Farinto explained that First Bank collected over N100billion on behalf of Federal Government of Nigeria on the issue of National Export Promotion Council, but the money was not remitted, the House Committee on Customs discovered this development and decided to write CBN to yank First Bank off the system.

"What they ought to have done is to let stakeholders know what was happening, so that anyone having a backlog of jobs can clear them and stop their form M

“This was the same thing that happened to GT Bank last year, but this time around, we are taking this matter before the EFCC.

“The clearing agents are currently stuck, they cannot clear their consignment, demurrage is accruing on cargoes at port. If you make your declaration, if it is first bank PAAR or Form ‘M’, the job cannot proceed until the bank is reconnected back by CBN.

“So, for now, we are directing importers and their agents not to open Form’M’ with first bank for now. We are on top of the situation appealing to the government to give us a little time to clear the backlog," he added. 

“First Bank should be ready for us this time around, we are dragging them before EFCC or ICPC, let it be established that a financial crime has been committed, so that going forward, we would not be having recurrence of such issue

“Don’t forget that last year, GTB Bank did the same thing and went scot-free, nothing happened, no sanctions, is that a healthy situation? In a country where we claim to be fighting corruption.

“I share everybody’s pain, but they must not make any transactions in regards to import duty payment for now so that they would not be stucked,” Dr.Farinto maintained.

Maritime Workers Union Mourn, as Muritala Kaffo Dies at 66

Maritime Workers Union Mourn, as Muritala Kaffo Dies at 66

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Wednesday, lost its Zonal Vice President, Comrade (Alhaji) Muritala Kaffo, fondly called Oscar at age 66.

A statement signed by the Union’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, disclosed that Comrade Kaffo died just a day after he had reported to the office.

“The sad incident occurred on Wednesday, 17th of May, 2023. Comrade Kaffo, before his exit, was a devoted Muslim, married with children and aged 66. He was an indigene of Lagos Island, Lagos State. An agile dockworker, popularly known as “Oscar” and was seen at his place of work on Tuesday, 16th of May, 2022 without any sign of illness″. He was a Unit Chairman and also functioned as District Chairman, Apapa 1; a Zonal Vice President, and lately, a Zonal Coordinator.

“We also recall that he was a very loyal Comrade to the core for the Union and was one of the frontliners of the “Group 999” during the revolution that engulfed the dockworkers and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria as at the time.

“The late Muritala was a jolly good fellow who made many friends around and outside the Union. He built bridges of friendship across board and was a man who had the fear of God. Little wonder he was that friendly, kind, lovable and cherished amongst his colleagues in the Dock Labour sector,

“Comrade Kaffo will be greatly missed by his numerous friends, colleagues, allies, comrades of all categories and will be fondly remembered by his good deeds," the statement reads .

Meanwhile, the President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, has described the fallen comrade as a dogged fighter for justice and one who sacrificed his all for the good of the Union.He recounted how his struggle and sacrifice under the ‘Group 999’ had helped in retaining peace in the union

His words, "Oscar stood and fought off the stubborn group that tried to hijack the national Secretariat of the Union. It was his struggle and sacrifice that had led to the current peace prevailing in the Union presently. I pray Almighty Allah grant his soul eternal repose and strengthen the family at this trying moment."

FEC Approves $4.7bn for Ondo, Snake Island, Burutu Ports Development

 

...Changes Federal Ministry of Aviation to ‘Ministry of Aviation & Aerospace of Nigeria’.

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the sum of $4,713,841,477 for the development and expansion of multipurpose Port in Ilaje, Ondo state, Snake Island seaport in Lagos state and the Burutu seaport in Delta state respectively.

According to the details of the approval, Ondo Port will be developed through a Public- Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with the sum of $1.48 billion total private investment on a concession term of 50 years period;  Snake Island port Lagos, will be developed and expanded through the same PPP model to the tune of $974,185,203 on a concession term of 45 years period. the expansion and development of Burutu port, Delta state will gulp up a total sum of $1.2 billion private investment outlay with a concession term of 40 years period.

The FEC meeting was presided by President Mohammad Buhari while the Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Muazu Sambo presented the memo to the council for approval.

In a related development, the meeting which lasted several hours also saw to the review of name of Federal Ministry of Aviation to Ministry of Aviation amd Aerospace of Nigeria.

The development was said to be in line with current global realities in the aviation sector.

The Council also gave approval of a draft National Civil Aviation Policy, which was last reviewed in 2013.