SAHCO Port Harcourt Station Receives ISAGO Certification

ZAINAB JUNAID

Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) PLC’s Port Harcourt station has recently been certified by International Air Transport Association Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO).

ISAGO is an aviation specific audit for the global oversight of ground handling service providers (GHSPs) and it focuses on the standardization of operational procedures and management thereby increasing harmonization of best practices among the ground handling stakeholders.

Adetola Vanessa Uansohia (Mrs), Head Corporate Communications of the company disclosed this in a statement stating that by this certification, it means that SAHCO’s Port Harcourt International Airport station has continued to model its operations to ISAGO standards, as a result making a commitment to continue to operate on globally accepted industry best practices.

The Audit cuts across Organization and Management (ORM), Aircraft Handling and Loading (HDL), Aircraft Ground Movement (AGM), Cargo and Mail Handling (CGM).

As already pledged to its clients (current and prospective), the company has resolved to continually provide quality and efficient Passenger, Ramp and Cargo Handling Services in line with best practices and the highest International Standards to the delight of its customers and benefit of all stakeholders, utilizing State-of-the-art equipments, skills, procedures and facilities, and employing a dedicated workforce who are highly skilled.

ISAGO audit is essential to promote safe ground operations and understanding of high-risk areas within ground operations, the audit also eliminates redundant audits from airlines thereby promoting a uniform audit process and harmonized standards that improve quality standards in Aviation Ground Handling.

 It could be recalled that SAHCO recently held its 13th Annual General Meeting where the Chairman Dr. Taiwo Afolabi promised better dividends for the shareholders of the company for the current financial year ending Dec. 31, 2023.

FOU Zone A Command Arrests 13 Suspects

Intercepts 50 Contrabands Worth ₦462.7M DPV in July

ZAINAB JUNAID

As part of continuous efforts to suppress smuggling and safeguard national security, the Federal Operations Unit Zone A Ikeja of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested 13 suspects in connection with 50 contrabands which worth a Duty Paid Value(DPV) of Four Hundred and Sixty-Two Million, Seven Hundred and Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Five Naira (N462,708,875) in the month of July 2023.

The seizures weere made within the period under review for non-compliance with the extant Customs laws.

Customs Area Controller of the unit, Hussein Ejibunu disclosed this yesterday adding that the sum of Sixty-Six Million, Four Hundred and Ninety-Three Thousand, Three Hundred and Fourty-Six Naira, Fourty-One Kobo (N66,493,346.41) was recovered as revenue into the federation account through the issuance of demand notices (DN) on Customs duties that were discovered to be underpaid.

CAC Ejibunu said this feat was in recognition of the responsibility bestowed on the Federal Operations Unit to suppress smuggling, block revenue leakages, facilitate legitimate trade, collect revenue and contribute to national security. 

He listed the siezed items to include among others- 5,642 X 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 9 trailer loads); 18,925 litres (757 X 25 litres jerry cans of premium motor spirit); 20 pieces of pistol pouches; 15 pieces of bulletproof jackets; 15 pieces of jack knives; 49 cartons of children school shoes; 181(87 kg) parcels of Indian Hemp; 357 kegs X 5 litres of vegetable oil; 1 unit of Honda Motorcycle; 2 used (Tokumbo) vehicles.

According to him, "The arrested suspects are currently at different stages of investigations and prosecution. I will also hand over three (3) suspects and cannabis sativa with a net weight of 7,728 kilogrammes to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Lagos State Command for further investigation and prosecution.

“It is pertinent to know that the importation of all forms of bulletproof materials such as vests, ballistic materials and vehicles, as well as parts and accessories for all military armaments and hardware such as guns, arms and ammunition of all kinds; lethal and non-lethal requires an end-user certificate.

”An end-user certificate is applied to, and issued by the office of the national security adviser which loses its validity after one year from the issuance date. The FOU boss said anyone importing a controlled item must do so within the validity period of the end-user certificate. 

“Seizures recorded within the period under review are a reflection of officers’ commitment to duty, and no compromise posture in the discharge of our statutory responsibilities; aimed at protecting the national economy and preventing the importation of prohibited, and harmful goods.

“This success story will not be complete without my expression of gratitude to the Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR whose maiden working visit to the Unit was a morale booster.

“I also use this medium to thank him and members of the management team for stoking our logistics for more gainful performance," he said.

Modular Floating Dock

NIMASA Takes Over Continental Shipyard, Eyes ₦1bn Revenue Monthly

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA) has taken over areas leased to it by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) at the Continental Shipyard for the operations of the Modular Operating Dock.

Edward Osagie, NIMASA’s spokesman, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday adding that the areas taken over include but not limited to the dolphin jetty, waterfront of the jetty adjourning the slipway, an administrative block, a construction, welding and mechanical workshop and a civil maintenance workshop, among others.

During the handover ceremony, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said that the handover of the Continental Shipyard to NIMASA marks the final lap in the quest of the Agency to deploy the modular floating Dockyard.

Jamoh, who was represented by the Head, Public, Private Partnership, (PPP) Unit Mr. Kabiru Diso , assured stakeholders that the Modular Floating Dockyard would soon be deployed since all grey areas between NIMASA and the NPA have been cleared.

“The Modular Floating Dockyard is a national asset and now that all grey areas between the NPA and NIMASA have been addressed, we are very close to deploying the Modular Floating Dock. Our goal is to domicile dry-docking of vessels in the country thus saving the nation foreign exchange currently expended on dry-docking vessels outside the shores of Nigeria.

“The floating Dock will also provide both direct and indirect employment to Nigerians with a multiplier effect on capacity development,” he said.

The Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission, (ICRC) had issued a certificate of compliance for an Outline Business Case (OBC) for the operation of the floating dock, while also describing it as bankable and sustainable.

The Modular Floating Dock, which has the capacity to handle up to 10,000 Metric Tons of vessels, would be run on a Public Private Partnership arrangement and is capable of generating one billion naira monthly when it start full operation.

Customs CG Bashir Adeniyi Meets NACCIMA, UBA Delegates

  to Promote Trade in Nigeria

ZAINAB JUNAID

In a bid to foster a shared and better future of trade in Nigeria through collaboration with relevant organizations, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, received delegations from the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and United Bank for Adrica (UBA).

The delegates in a seperate meeting with the CGC were led by Mr.Dele Kelvin Oye, President of NACCIMA and Mr.Kayode Fashola, Non Executive Director UBA respectively, at the Headquarters of the Service on Tuesday, 2nd August 2023.

While speaking, NACCIMA President felicitated with the CGC over his appointment and commended his exceptional steps of leading the Nigeria Customs Service to a significant level that will help enhance and regulate trade industries in the country.

Mr.Kelvin reminded the CGC of the issues surrounding the certificate of origin, affirming that NACCIMA is determined to support the Nigeria Customs Service in all ramifications.

Customs Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, gave assurance of the Service to collaborate with NACCIMA to succeed in facilitating trade.

He restated that his leadership is committed to strengthening the collaboration between the Service and stakeholders for the benefit of Nigerians, adding that the Service will join hands with NACCIMA to organize a Sensitization Workshop for the two parties.

On the new Nigeria Customs Service  Act, 2023, the President besought the CG to sensitize their members; the CGC assured the president of Customs' total commitment to involve them in the area. 

Meanwhile, the Non-Executive Director of UBA, Kayode Fashola, in a seperate meeting with the Comptroller General of Customs, congratulated the CGC on his appointment while and also informed him of their commitment to strengthen the cordial relationship between Customs and their firm.

The Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs, on his part, appreciated the delegation's timely visit and guaranteed them of the Service’s commitment to deepen their partnership.