Customs CG

Customs CG Warns Officers against Misuse of Firearms

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has cautioned  Officers and Men of the Service to apply tactical measures in dealing with citizens before using firearms.

The CGC passed the warning to the Senior Officers of the Service on Thursday, 27 July 2023, during the official declaration of a sensitization workshop on the practical implementation of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 for Comptrollers and Assitant Legal Advisers at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College Gwagwalada, Abuja, saying that “the use of firearms could only be applied in extreme circumstances that require self-defence.”

“We must not, in any circumstance, use firearms – except we have an absolute necessity for using it. The citizens of this country are there for us to protect.” 

He emphasized that his core principles as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service is to protect the citizens and improve the efficiency of the Service through enhancing trade facilitation, staff welfare and suppressing smuggling.

He stressed that the core mandate of the Service is saving and protecting the lives and properties of Nigerians, adding that the bridge upon which NCS is built is to be just and honest to the citizens.

The Acting Comptroller-General of Customs has repeatedly emphasized that the new Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 when properly implemented, will improve the proficiency of the Service.

He urged the Officers to pay attention to what they will be taught and clearly understand the importance of the legal framework provided for the Service, adding that “everything we do must be within that framework.”

According to him, the new law has abundantly granted enormous powers to the Nigeria Customs Service to carry out sanctions to discourage criminals that violate Customs laws, “but then, there are a lot of limitations and obligations that require us to exercise good strategies in implementing those powers. We need to create a better environment for trade facilitation and more friendly business and Port environments".

MMA Command Generates ₦38.7bn

MMA Command Generates ₦38.7Bn Revenue, Siezes 25 Consignments in Six Months

ZAINAB JUNAID

Murtala Muhammed Airport command has recorded a revenue of Thirty Eight Billion, Seven hundred and seven million, Fifty four thousand, Two hundred and sixteen naira,forty four kobo (₦38,707, 054, 216.44k) from the period of January to June 2023, representing 79.6% of its annual revenue target. 

The revenue generated depicted a progressive difference of Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Fifty Two Million, Six Hundred and Forty Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixty Five Naira, Fifty Four Kobo (₦3, 852, 645, 865.54k). 

This is an increase of 11% when compared to the revenue of Thirty Four Billion, Eight Fifty Four Million, Four Hundred and Eight Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty Naira, Ninety Kobo. (34,854,408,350.90) generated in 2022.

Victor Ogagbor, Public Relations Officer of the Command, disclosed this in a statement released today adding that the feat was achieved under the leadership of the Customs Area Controller, Compt MS Yusuf.

To him, Compt Yusuf has continued to build on the achievements of the previous year both in the area of revenue generation and in anti-smuggling activities. 

"Following his resumption the CAC has continued to exhibit Standard best practices consequently aiding trade facilitation and ease of doing business which has significantly increased revenue generation," he said.

Ogagbor noted that the Command also made a remarkable success in the area of anti smuggling in the first half of 2023. 

According to him, "The Enforcement Unit of the Command coordinated several anti-smuggling activities in synergy with other critical stakeholders which led to the seizure of Fifteen (15) consignments made of Tramadol, Dried Shark Fins and Live Turtle with a DPV of Twenty Seven Billion, Seven Hundred and Fifty Eight Million, Thirteen Thousand, Nine Hundred Ninety Three Naira, Forty Seven Kobo (27, 758, 013, 993.47k). 

"Note that Shark Fin and Live Turtle are classified under endangered species. In the Spirit of inter-departmental cooperation the Command has handed over the packages of Tramadol to NDLEA. The Area Comptroller strived for the continuous cooperation of all stakeholders and reiterated the Command's promise to sustain and improve upon revenue generation in the second half of 2023," he said.

FRSC /NCS...

FRSC/NCS Reiterate Readiness for Immediate Integration of Information Database

ZAINAB JUNAID

As part of the vision to enhance national security and curb revenue loss, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have jointly commenced an intensive vehicle database integration of the two government agencies.

The productive collaboration was effected during the official visit of the Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Ali Biu, at the national headquarters of the Commission on Thursday.

Abdullahi Maiwada, National Public Relations Officer of NCS and Bisi Kazeem, Public Education Officer, FRSC, disclosed this in a statement jointly released and made available to Maritime Journalists. 

The statement read that the Acting Comptroller General emphasised on NSC's renewed commitment towards working together with the Corps in the area of human resource development, information and communication technology, as well as sports. 

He stated, among others, that a handshake and effective consolidation of existing vehicle information in the National Vehicle Identification Scheme database domiciled with the FRSC and vehicle database of the NCS will curb vehicle smuggling, improve revenue generation and enhance national security.

In response, Corps Marshal Dauda Ali Biu was said to applaud the Comptroller General's initiative, staying the handshake and data sharing would not only strengthen the bond between the two agencies but also positively impact the fight against the smuggling of vehicles.

Dauda Biu stated emphatically that the collaboration will also entrench ease of doing business as it will make tracking of vehicles without customs duty certificate very easy for the Corps at the point of registration.

He beckoned on CG Bashir Adewale to make enforcement of restriction of importation of vehicles whose ages are at the point of importation, above the specified legal age limit one of his key priorities. 

While decrying the dangers of using fairly used tyres, Biu also seeks enhanced enforcement of the ban on the importation of deadly tyres into the country.

NIMASA AND NAVY

NAVY Confirms Deployment of NIMASA Deep Blue Assets

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Nigerian Navy has confirmed that the assets acquired by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also known as the Deep Blue project have been deployed across the South West, Central and Eastern Zonal operations to enhance patrol of the Nigerian maritime domain. 

The Acting Fleet Commander, Western Naval Command and Commander Deep Blue Project, Commodore Victor Choji made the declaration, during a working visit by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mohammed Abdullahi to the Management of NIMASA.

 He added that the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla is fully committed to the success of the Deep Blue Project.

During the interactive session, he said, “the assets have already been well deployed. As we speak, 5 armored vehicles are deployed in Port Harcourt and 3 in Bonny”.

Speaking further, he said the project team deployed 10 more vehicles there, in addition to a drone unit in Bonny and some personnel. He also hinted that during the last general elections in the country, the mere presence of deep blue assets alone in those locations provided the needed inference that was required. 

Choji also said that in the Central Zone Command, the Navy has deployed 3 units of special mission elements in brass and two of the interceptor boats with the special intervention force elements in central command. “In Lagos, just last week, we got a directive that there is a requirement and we are about to deploy 2 interceptor boats to support the operations that are ongoing in Lagos Inland waters. I can state categorically that we have the full backing of the Nigerian Navy for the success of the Deep Blue Project”.

On his part, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh restated the agency’s commitment to a robust relationship with the Nigerian Navy towards the economic development of the country.

“I want to believe that the Agency and the Nigerian Navy have a lot in common to ensure safety and security in the nation’s waters. While the Nigerian Navy takes care of the kinetic operations, NIMASA concentrates on non-kinetic operations, and the two will have to go hand in hand if we must succeed. If you look at the Armed Forces Act, the Nigerian Navy has a role to play in ensuring the implementation and enforcement of the NIMASA and Customs & Excise Act”, he said. 

Jamoh expressed the desire of NIMASA to earn full value for funds invested and still investing in the operations of the Deep Blue Project. He also noted that the Agency is in constant liaison with the National Assembly to ensure an update of the nation’s maritime laws with particular reference to the Merchant Shipping Act to guarantee adequate punitive measures are in the law to deter criminalities on Nigerian waters.

While commending the Nigerian Navy for their efforts in tracking erring vessels, which switched off their Automatic Identification System, AIS in Nigerian waters, Dr Jamoh called for improved synergy amongst all organs of Government in the maritime sector. Particularly, the Nigerian Navy and the marine arm of the Nigerian Police to quickly tackle head on; pockets of recent criminalities in the Lagos anchorage and inland waters.

Earlier in his remarks, the FOC who reiterated that the Agency is his first point of call since he assumed duty as the FOC Western Naval Command, which underscores the importance the Nigerian Navy pays to her relationship with NIMASA.

“I am here in recognition of the support and cooperation the Navy enjoys with the Agency and we still have a long way to go in order to actualize the mandate of safeguarding the Nigerian maritime sector”, the FOC said.

He also used the opportunity to pledge the continuous support of the Command to the Agency, while they look forward to more cooperation in the coming years, for the overall good of the nation.

Nigeria, Republic of Benin Customs Sign Communique

Nigeria, Republic of Benin Customs Sign Communique to Promotes ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme

  ZAINAB JUNAID

As part of the vision to review friendship with the customs administration of Benin Republic and deepen collaborations in areas of common interest, the Ag. Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, and Director General of the Customs Administration Benin Republic, Mr. Alain Hinkati have jointly signed a communique to promote Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Trade Libralization Scheme.

The Ag. CGC and his delegation had earlier this week paid a working visit to the Republic of Benin where he signed the communique and was also taken through the processes and operations of Customs facilities at Cotonou.

During the visit, the two Customs Chiefs engaged with stakeholders from both countries and their concerns were identified and effectively considered. 

Notable among the issues discussed, is the request to review the possibilities of reopening the border, and that of administrative charges. 

According to Nigeria's Ag. CGC, the visit is to deepen collaborations in mutually positive areas.

He said, "The objective of the visit is for us to review friendship with the customs administration of Benin and also to deepen collaborations in areas of common interest". 

"I saw the attention that was given to the port of Cotonou, the progress that is being made in reducing clearance time, ensuring that there is no congestion at the Port and, more importantly, using technology to drive operations of the Customs Administration.

"The attempt which Benin Customs has done towards trade facilitation is something that Nigeria Customs will also be doing particularly to look at where we can use our processes to reduce the cost and time of doing business," CGC Adewale explained. 

However, the joint communique signed by the two delegations read as follows:

The continuation of efforts to promote the ECOWAS trade liberalization scheme and the facilitation of the movement of goods and community products in particular;

- Facilitation of the issue of Laisse passe for a short stay in one of the countries of means of transport registered in the other country;

- The removal of barriers and other obstacles to legitimate trade and the establishment of Customs units when the traffic justifies it;

- Strict compliance with transit rules;

- Harmonization of the list of products prohibited by the two countries;

- The rapid integration of Nigeria into the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT), which already includes the Customs Administrations of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo;

- Strengthening the fight against cross-border crime through cooperation, intelligence sharing and the pooling of resources;

- Holding meetings twice a year to discuss matters of common interest; 

- The reactivation of the joint committee for monitoring trade and transit relations;

- The revival of consultation frameworks of border customs units with the active participation of the private sector; 

- Promoting good relations with border populations, professionalism and tax compliance;

- Securing the international supply chain.

Meanwhile, the Ag. CGC and his delegation also visited the Nigerian Embassy and met with Ambassador Kayode Aluko, the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.

They also had a private meeting with the President of the Republic of Benin, his Excellency Mr. Patrice TALON, on Sunday, 23rd of July, expressing the desire to initiate a new turning point marked by close collaboration in all areas.

Vandalism still persist on Lagos Port Access Road - Aroyewun

Death Toll Increases as Vandalism Persists on Lagos Port Access Road- Aroyewun

ZAINAB JUNAID

Despite the joint sanitation recently carried out by the Lagos State Government and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to destroy shanties and extortion points at Lagos Port Environment, the Council of Maritime Truck Unions and Associations (COMTUA) president has confirmed the continous persistence of vandalism on the same access road.

Mr Adeyinka Aroyewun, President of COMTUA, disclosed this during an interactive session with the Maritime journalists on Wednesday in Lagos, adding that it's association had lost 10 members in seven months to extortion and attacks along the port corridors, with 20 members sustaining injuries.

Aroyewun who pleaded with the Lagos State Government to ensure that the dead members get justice urged the State Government to evict thugs on the road as most of the destruction on members trucks were as a result of attacks by the louts.

He said that the association had made a lot of submissions on the issue with over 50 letters appealing to the government to weed these vandals off the road.

His words, "The level of damage on their trucks cannot be estimated because presently, they still vandalise trucks given that extortion points and places where the vandalism takes place have not been removed by government.

“We heard on the news and saw when the Nigerian Ports Authority in conjunction with the Lagos State Government claimed they had removed shanties in the guise of removing hoodlums and extortionists on the way.

“They concluded this on July 23, but as at today July 26, everything that they did had returned back, so we cannot estimate how much we have lost to vandalisation of our trucks.

“We can only say that we have lost 10 of our members to the cold hands of death this year and lot of our members numbering 20 had been seriously injured by these hoodlums."

Meanwhile, on the crisis rocking the association, Aroyewun declared that the association had not been dissolved as being speculated.

To him, “New members are coming in, so if some people feel that they don’t need to remain in the collaboration, some who see reasons to remain are there.

“We are reviewing our Memorandum of Understanding from time to time and so it’s not about the dissolving of COMTUA, the council has not been dissolved.

“To improve on this, we are forming new alliance with the Lagos State government, so there is freedom of association for everyone."

He added that the reason why the collaboration with COMTUA was created was not limited to traffic gridlock but for welfare of members and other unfolding issues in the industry.

“The word that it appears that the idea behind COMTUA is defeated is not correct, as it stands now, we are still faced with the difficulties of getting to the port at the appropriate time, it is still congested.

“The extortion that is still taking place online which is the electronic call-ups at the Truck Transit Park regime is still there.

“However, the beneficiaries of this failed policy are the ones we are seeing opting out of COMTUA. As much as some people are opting out of COMTUA, other members are coming in,” he said.

NPA'S KOKO Father's Demise...

MAJAN Sympathises With NPA MD,Mr.Mohammed Bello-Koko over his Father's exit

ZAINAB JUNAID

Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN), heartily condole with the Managing Director,Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, over the passing on of his dear Father, Alhaji Muhammad Koko.

The Association's Public Relations Officer, Frank Odinukaeze noted this in a statement made availabe to members adding that MAJAN shares in his grief and prays God to give him and the Koko family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

"MAJAN shares in your grief and prays God to give you and the Koko family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

"May Almighty Allah accept his Soul and forgive him his sins. Please kindly accept our deeply felt condolences, the statement reads.

Ag. CGC Visits Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu; Pledges Partnership with State Government

Ag. CGC Visits Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu; Pledges Partnership with State Government 

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, on Tuesday, 25th July 2023, paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu where he reiterated commitment to decongest Lagos ports, using a combination of public auction and transfer of some overtime containers to the Government Warehouse in Ikorodu, Lagos.

According to the Customs Boss, Lagos is strategic in the operations of the service as it controls 70 to 75 percent of the service's total revenue collection. 

He assured the Governor of the Services' commitment to operate within the framework of the law and supported his drive to make Lagos a mega city.

He said, "We followed your attempt; you made serious efforts to make Lagos a smart city. The least we can do as a responsible Agency of Government is complement your efforts in sustainable development.

"And in the very short time that I have been in Office, we started to review our various operations to ensure that they align with your vision of making Lagos work for Lagosians.

"We just secured a presidential approval to undertake decongestion at our ports, using a combination of public auction and transferring some of the containers to the Government Warehouse in Ikorod.

"I've visited all the facilities and very soon, while working with all the stakeholders, we will be able to kickstart this process and create the space necessary inside the port and around the premises of the port,"  he said.

While receiving his guests, Governor Sanwo-Olu congratulates the Ag. CGC on his appointment and pledged his commitment to continue to provide a good working environment for business to thrive. 

He hinted that approval for a Badagry port had been secured. 

"I want to assure you that Lagos and Lagosians will continue to give you that hospitality where business can thrive and Officers can do their work without fear or favour", he said. 

"I also need to inform you that there's an approval for a Badagry port. The whole idea is to build strategic infrastructure for our citizens; Lekki is on the eastern part, badagry is on the western part so that we can decongest Apapa and Tin-can that have stretched their capacity", he noted. 

"These are some of the things that will ensure that investments come in, that will ensure that businesses can move in and out and we can begin to compete with some of the biggest and nice ports that we see all around the world", he emphasized.

"I believe it's a collaborative effort. I equally believe it's a work in progress that can improve the turnaround all around the ports", he concluded.