MMA2 TRAINING ACADEMY

NCAA Accredits MMA2 Training Academy

ZAINAB JUNAID

After successfully scaling through a rigorous approval process, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has finally accredited the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal TWO (MMA2) Training Academy. 

The institution which came into existence in 2019 is a subsidiary of MMA2 and is under the watch of Bi Courtney Aviation Service Limited (BASL), operators of the MMA2 Terminal. 

A statement made available to journalists by BASL’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Oluwatosin Onalaja partly read, “The MMA2 Training Academy has outstanding instructors and experienced specialists with a proven track record of protective aviation security across Nigeria. Our highly interactive training courses provide the best mix of experience, theory and practice in a professional learning environment, using real-life case studies, practical applications and up-to-date technologies.”

The classrooms, Onolaja said,  has  adjustable floor plans and are equipped with virtual classrooms, business solutions, secretarial, printing and copying, training with power supply. Other benefits include easy parking,  free WiFi.

According to Onolaja, some of the courses to be handled by the academy under the NCAA accreditation include Aviation Security Awareness, ASTP 123 Basic,  X-Ray Interpretation and Screening and General Security Culture.

Among other things, the academy comprised of three well-furnished training classrooms each with a seat for 20 students.

He said: “Several ASTP 123 and security awareness training have been  completed over the last two years. Other courses available at the academy are aviation safety, emergency first aid; fire safety and emergency management.”

The MMA2 Academy’s Training Consultant, Mr. Abdulfatai Lawal, also laud the facilities offered by the institute saying, “The facility offers complete learning solutions for aviation security, aviation safety and behavioural courses delivered in a  conducive environment and at the client’s preferred location and time.

“MMA2 Training Academy courses are the most cost-effective and efficient way to train your team. Our courses are ICAO Standard training programmes  and conventional.  The conventional Training courses are customised and developed with industry-relevant organisational objectives as their core guidelines, “ Lawal added

MMA2, Aero, Dana.

MMA2 Collaborates with Aero, Dana Air to Compensate Regular flyers 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

In a bid to compensate regular flyers, users of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2, (MMA2), Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of MMA 2 has decided to collaborate with Dana Airlines and Aero Contractors to organize a promo. 

According to BASL Head of Corporate Communications, Mr Oluwatosin Onalaja, the idea was to show appreciation and reward travellers that consistently patronise airlines at MMA2.

Mr Oluremi Jibodu, BASL’s Head of Aeronautical and Cargo Services, also said that the MMA2 Fly and Win Valentine Promo is scheduled to run throughout the month of February 2023. He added that Dana Airlines and Aero Contractors are the participating airlines.

According to him, any traveller that jointly purchases 2 Economy or Business Class return tickets from the participating airlines and is the first to check-in, in wins a free one-way flight ticket. Winners will be chosen every day until the end of February.

He thus advised interested members of the public to visit the participating airlines’ ticket reservation platforms at flydanaair.com and flyaero.com respectively, or visit the promo’s landing page on the MMA2 website at mma2.ng/fly-win-promo, or follow @mma2bicourtney on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter for more details.

Customs TinCan Command

TinCan Command Raises #574. 2bn Revenue in 2022 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Amid economic downturn in the past one year, the TinCan Island Customs Command has proved to be the second largest seaport command in revenue generation after Apapa Command as it generated N574. 2billion penultimate year. 

This depicted an increase of 16.33% from what was generated in 2021.

 The Command collected N574,290,210,599.38 revenue between January to December, 2022 but raised N493,682,369,264.35 in 2021, an increase of N80,607,841, 335.03.

A Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N41,846,372,083.50, were intercepted and the seizures comprised- 763pkgs of Colarado (Cannabis Sativa) weighing 345.1kg with a street market value of N714,600,000 given by the NDLEA, 5 x 40 Containers of used Motor Tyre (5050 pistes), 1,150 Bales of second hand clothings, 1,190 Cartons of 20per Cartons of Possuem Bromate and Baking Powder, 11,392 Cartons of 1200 per Carton Armcol Injection Chiproquine Phosphate 322.5mg/5ml (IV and IM), 206,000 pieces of finished matchets, 1383 cartons of 50 rolls per carton of cigarettes.

These seizures compared with the 2021 record of 27 seizures with a DN of N607,267,617.00) only, showed an increase of eleven (11) seizures and N1,239,104,466.50.

Other seizures were; 650 cartons of 50 pieces per carton of new ladies shoes, 2.666 pieces in 36 pallets of new Starter Ex-Premium Inverter Battery, 1, 980 cartons of Assorted Non-Alcoholic Beverages and 1048 Cartons of Tilde Basmatic Rice, others include 2594 pieces of Ammunition and 20 pieces of Arms comprising of 1 Pistol with 611090 (S/W) model JCP 40mm, 1 Used Co2 Air Pistol with accessories cal 117(4.5m)BM, 1 Marksman repeater pistol, & Mace pepper gun and 10 suspected arms of various types.

While speaking on this achievement, the Command’s Chief, Adekunle Oloyede, noted that some strategic measures adopted last year made the revenue realisable. 

To him, “We engaged in periodic capacity building, reshuffling and redeployment of officers using the SWOT analysis, implementation of the VIN Valuation, Automation of the 546 procedure, re-introduction of the NIIT after deployment of a Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology Equipment to the Command, Proper Profiling, System Audit, Proper recheck or Examination and detailed but clearly inputted Inspection Acts, among others”.

He said the increase in Duty Paid Value rate was as a result of increased surveillance and intensified anti-smuggling drive, high value of seized items and the Naira-Dollar depreciation which leads to high exchange rate on imported items.

However, he disclosed that about 60 suspects were arrested and later granted administrative bail in connection with the seizures during the year, while the Command has 8 cases pending in court.

Western Marine Command

Comptroller Salefu Assumes Duty at Western Marine Command 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Comptroller Salefu on Wednesday took over as the substantive area controller of the Western Marine Command of Nigeria Customs Service. 

The baton was handed over to him during a brief handing and taking over ceremony at the Command’s headquarters Ibafon Apapa, between the acting Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller SD Adamu and the new CAC, Comptroller Salefu.

The command PRO, SC MA Magaji in a statement said the latter urged Officers and men of the Command to join hands with him to ensure the Command continue to fulfill it’s mandate in an efficient and professional way.

He also enjoined them to see change in leadership as a constant phenomenon in their professional career and in life general.

Comptroller Salefu who has worked in various Customs formations and departments brings with him very rich and vast operational experience cutting across Revenue, Enforcement, Valuation, Classification, ICT, Intelligence and Administration.

Before his new appointment as the CAC Western Marine Command, Comptroller Salefu was Comptroller in the Department of Strategy, Research and Policy (SR&P), NCS headquarters Abuja and was until his promotion to the rank of a Comptroller, the DC Compliance, Port Harcourt Area 2 Onne.

The CAC also asked Officers and Men of the Command to tie their knot in the right place in order to improve on the existing tempo in anti smuggling operation and to build upon the achievements of past administration to achieve an increased scorecard.

He emphasized character and professionalism as sinequanon to productivity and also encouraged Officers and men of the Command to make discipline and compliance their watch word.

Comptroller Salefu concluded by t appreciating the Comptroller General and his Management team for the faith reposed in him and promised to execute his responsibilities effectively and efficiently.

NPA, ICRC Eye

NPA, ICRC Eye More Deep Sea Port in Other States

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Having successfully completed and commissioned Lekki deep seaport, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) have started receiving more requests for the establishment of similar projects in other states. 

The Managing Director of the Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko, disclosed this on the official Twitter handle of NPA. 

Koko said the authority and ICRC have been inundated with applications from prospective investors to build deep seaports in the country.

“Through PPP, additional deep-sea ports will come on board in the next few years. Several requests are being worked on by the Authority and @ICRCng.

“The outlook is positive and promising.

“Having the deepest port in Nigeria will improve traffic flow in the Apapa corridor, lower freight costs & ultimately lower trading costs.

For us @NigerianPorts, we intend to take advantage of this to recapture transshipment & transit cargoes that would typically call at nearby ports” Bello-Koko declared in the tweet.

While Still celebrating the successful completion and take off of the first mega seaport in the country, the NPA boss said the Lekki deep seaport, which was commissioned by President Mohammed Buhari Monday, January 23rd, 2023, was a major success story for public-private partnership on infrastructural development under the regulatory guidance of the ICRC.

“$361bn economic impact expected in 45 years from the Lekki deep seaport  is put at $1.5 billion assets and  $800m on construction on all Phases while $361 billion (Revenue from duties, royalties, taxes $201bn, Direct/Indirect business impact: $158bn) is being projected from the facility. 

“With over 169,000 Direct/Indirect jobs are expected to be created, the federal government has five percent equity shares in the mega facility, the Lagos State government has 20 percent shares while Lekki Port Investment Holding Inc holds 75 percent equity shares.

“The port has the deepest draught in Nigeria and one of the deepest in sub-Saharan Africa with a 16.2 metre draft with annual cargo tonnage of four million tons and annual container volume of 2.5 million teu, “ he said. 

Industrial Action

Strike: NAHCO Workers Call off Strike, Management Commends Passengers for their tolerance During Delays

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The management of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company(NAHCO) has commended its passengers for their understanding and tolerance following the inconveniences faced today as a result the strike embarked upon by its workers early Monday, January 23rd, 2022, which obstructed their travel plans. 

NAHCO Workers according to a statement made available, had called off the industrial action which lasted for about 14 hours and all staff had resumed work immediately. 

The statement which was signed by the Management of the Company, unions’ representatives and regulatory agencies, partly read that the issue was resolved that the unions should call off the strike which lasted for about 14 hours, and all staff resumed work immediately.

It was agreed that NAHCO management withdraws the suit it instituted at the National Industrial Court against the unions; negotiations on staff welfare to resume Wednesday, January 25, and be concluded within the week; and that no staff should be penalized because of participation in the strike action.

However, the Group Executive Director of NAHCOAviance, , Dr. Sola Obabori, expressed sincere appreciation of the company to its clients who showed great understanding with NAHCO during the period of the strike action and to the passengers who were inconvenienced by the strike action.

He also extend the company’s deep appreciation to it’s esteemed clients, airline passengers, who depend on NAHCO and to the stakeholders who have intervened in calming down the situation.

He reiterated the readiness and commitment of the company to provide excellent customer experience to its clients and delight them continually noting that both staff and management are key stakeholders to reckon with.

Buhari Commissions Lekki Deep seaport

Buhari Commissions, transfer $1.5 billion Lekki seaport to Tolarams Group for 45 years

 ZAINAB JUNAID 

The modern Lekki deep seaport has been commissioned today Monday, January 23rd, 2023 by President Mohammad Buhari, after the port had under gone about two years of construction, which officially commenced on June 15th 2020.

The President also handed over the port to Tolarams Group for 45 years. 

The seaport connstructed by China Harbour Engineering Lekki Free Trade Zone LFTZ Enterprises(CHELE), a subsidiary of China Harbour Engineering Company, was billed to be completed by October 2022 and it is believed to be the deepest in Nigeria and one of the deepest in West Africa with a draft depth of 16.2metres in-depth and annual cargo tonnage of four million tons and annual container volume of 2.5million teu. 

However, prior to the cmmissioning of the deep seaport by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) berthed a CMA-CGM container vessel to the port. The vessel is reputed to be one of the largest container vessels in the world which is about 400 metres long and could carry up to 20,000 containers.

The port is also expected to be connected to an $800m railway which is expected to be built to evacuate containers from the port.

It was gathered that private funders will bankroll the railway project while the seaport will eventually be handed back to the Federal government for ownership after the private developers have exhausted their rights to the place. This would increase the revenue base of Nigeria and Lagos. The facility was constructed by the Tolarams Group.

The port was constructed on Build, Own, Operate and Transfer(BOOT) basis for 45 years before it would be transferred to the federal government through the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) after the funders must have recouped their investments.