Customs Approves Appointment of New Management

 Customs Approves Appointment of New Management Members in Acting Capacities

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Following the statutory retirement of some members of the management team of Nigeria Customs Service, the Comptroller General of Customs has approved the appointment and redeployment of the management members to enhance strategic and effective service delivery.

A statement made available on Thursday evening to maritime Journalists and signed by Compt. Timi Bomodi National Public Relations Officer of Customs disclosed this highlighting the officers as- EI EDORHE DCG Finance Admin & Technical Service; HK GUMMI DCG Tariff and Trade; M ABBA-KURA Ag. DCG Enforcement Inspection & Investigation; AG SAIDU Ag. DCG Human Resource Development; JP AJOKU Ag. DCG Excise, Free Trade Zone & Industrial Incentives; BA ADENIYI Ag. DCG Strategic Research and Policy; GA ITOTOH Ag. DCG Training and Doctrine Command; O Peter's Ag. ACG/Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘D’; AI ALFA Ag. ACG Strategic Research and Policy; HJ SWOMEN Ag. ACG Excise, Free Trade Zone & Industrial Incentives; KC EGWUH Ag. ACG Training and Doctrine Command; MBA MUSA Ag. ACG Tariff and Trade; A DAPPA-WILLIAMS Ag. ACG Enforcement Inspection & Investigation; BM JIBO Ag. ACG Headquarters; A HAMISU Ag. ACG/Commandant Nigeria Customs Command & Staff College; Y SALIHU Ag. ACG Finance & Admin; MI YUSUF Ag. ACG ICT/Modernization; SA BOMAI Ag. ACG Board; CK NIAGWAN Ag. ACG Finance, Admin & Technical Services; KI ADEOLA Ag. ACG Training and Doctrine Command. 

While thanking the retired members of the management for their meritorious service and support, the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) CFR congratulated the newly appointed Officers and charged them to redouble their efforts in ensuring the Service achieves greater heights in its mandates of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling and trade facilitation.

Jamoh Calls for Stakeholders Engagement

 Jamoh Calls for Stakeholders Engagement in #278.5bn CVFF Disbursement

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh has called for stakeholders engagement in order to hasten disbursement of the recently approved #278. 5bn Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF). 

Dr. Jamoh made this call at the Colloquium held on Thursday at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, in honour of late Otunba Kunle Folarin with the theme “Ensuring Effective Disbursement of Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund.”

It could be recalled that the Federal Government approved the disbursement of the (#278. 5bn) CVFF to indigenous ship owners in December 2022 after 17 years of neglect which has hindered expansion of the Shipping Industry. Government also appointed five commercial banks for the disbursement of the fund- Union, Zenith, Polaris, United Bank for Africa and Jaiz Bank respectively. 

The announcement does not only break jinx but also rekindled hope of the ship owners that has lost. 

Speaking as one of the panelists at the Colloquium, Dr. Jamoh noted that the CVFF funds cannot be disbursed easily without stakeholders engagement pointing out that about eight shipping companies have not paid their Ship Acquisitions and Ship Building Funds (SASBF) till date. “More reasons stakeholders needs to be engaged in the disbursement of this funds, “ he said. 

Also speaking on the topic, Jean Chiazor Anichere, (SAN), an expert in the industry explained that a ship owner or company can get about $25 million (N10, 282,023,175.00) and shall have a maximum of seven years’ payback. The CVFF is to be disbursed on a single-digit interest rate of 5.6 percent, 0.25 percent processing fees. 

She went further attributing inaccessibility of funds and lack of transparency as major barrier of Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) since its inception.

To her, “The CVFF, a government-funded initiative established to promote the development of a Nigerian-owned and operated maritime industry has faced limitations and challenges among which she highlighted to include - Lack of transparency; inaccessibility; Limited funds; Bureaucratic process; Limited Impact; Lack of accountability. 

“It is worth noting that these challenges can be addressed with proper management, transparency and stakeholder engagement. A better defined and transparent loan disbursement process, and a system of accountability for the loan use and repayment, would go a long way in addressing some of these limitations,” Jean said. 

However, on the legacy left behind and in memory of late Otunba Kunle Folarin, NIMASA DG, announced at the event that one of the expected Vessel by the agency to be delivered in February has been named after Otunba Kunle Folarin. 

“This is done to honour him for his great contributions in the industry” Jamoh said. 

Other Stakeholders present at the event are High Priest Chris Asoluka, Chief Remi Ogungbemi, NUJ Chairman Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Leye Ajayi Madam Bola Muse, Alhaji Aminu Umar, Madam Vivian – General Manager Nigeria Chamber of Shipping, Chief Jolapo Isaac. They regarded Otunba Kunle Folarin as a living legend maritime economist, a cerebral and an encyclopedia who had lived his life not only to impact the young ones but laid a legacy, a foot print that other stakeholders must build on. 

MWUN threatens journalist

MWUN threatens journalist over 20 illegal checkpoints story

.. Accuses him of issuing COMTUA press release

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Erazua Oniha, has threatened to deal with Mr. Jerry Aguigbo, publisher, TodayNews online, accusing him of instigating a press statement circulated by the Council of Maritime Truck Unions and Associations (COMTUA).

Mr. Aguigbo, just like many other journalists, did a story from the COMTUA press statement issued on Monday, where it accused MWUN of mounting 20 illegal checkpoints between Mile2 and Coconut bus stop. This is what Comrade Oniha regarded as a wrong move, thus made the threat. 

Aguigbo, who is the Secretary-General, Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN), had before writing the story contacted Mr Oniha to get the union's side of the story and verbally reflected that in his report on Monday.

Oniha, later on Tuesday called and asked for the journalist's WhatsApp number to enable him despatch the union's response to the COMTUA allegations to him. This, the journalist did without wasting time.

Trouble however, started when Aguigbo tried to correct an impression in the first paragraph of the response, which attributed the COMTUA press statement to him and his medium, pointing out to Oniha that he merely reported the story and never issued the release.

Here is MWUN response to COMTUA: "The attention of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria has been drawn to a press release making the rounds released by an online media, "TodayNews" anchored by one Jerry Aguigbo published January 16, 2023: targeting the personage of the President General and other union officials while alleging MWUN involvement in activities outside its jurisdictional scope and membership composition..."

When the journalist tried to let him realise that he never issued the release as their response indicated, Oniha flared up, commanding him to use the rejoinder verbatim as signed by the Secretary General, Comrade Felix S. Akingboye like that

He threatened that the journalist would "see the other side of me" if he failed to do what he had ordered him to do.

And it could be recalled that many journalists did the COMTUA story even without any recourse to MWUN but Aguigbo expressly reflected the union's reaction, as stated by Oniha in a telephone conversation, in his own report.

MWUN, COMTUA Brawl...

 MWUN, COMTUA Brawl Over Extortion fee of N2000 at 20 illegal Checkpoints

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and the Council of Maritime Truck Unions and Associations (COMTUA) have exchanged words over allegations put forward by the latter on the extortion imposed on its members regarding the manned twenty (20) illegal checkpoints from Coconut to TinCan Port second gate where #2, 000 is forcefully collected from truckers per check point. 

Mr. Erazu Oniha, MWUN Public Relations Officer (PRO), argued that the allegation does not hold a water as the move was deliberately meant to tarnish MWUN image since it pulled out of COMTUA. 

Oniha degrade COMTUA, ascribing the union as a brainchild of all Maritime Unions; a child of necessity which was to mitigate the problems bedeviling the Unions and its members but went against the tenets it was created for. 

It could be recalled that the National President of COMTUA, prince Adeyinka Aroyewun had on Monday accused MWUN of not reciprocating positively to the  letters of complaint and consultation sent by COMTUA to parks and Garage Committees, Park Administration Committee and MWUN, notifying them of the illegal activities taken place at this point. 

Instead of approaching the matter in a civilized way, Aroyewun said the other party (MWUN) resulted to a provocative affront. "They rather connived with government agencies to extort our MEMBERS the more."

Aroyewun lamented that MWUN operates 20 checkpoints from Coconut to Tin-Can Port Second gate where N2,000 is forcefully collected per point from our members. 

According to him, “The Coconut to Tin-Can Port Second gate is under the watch of MWUN president General Comrade Adewale Adeyanju whose main coordinator is Taofeek Shorinola fondly called Sheu Tao. They injured and sometimes kill our members for non-compliance to the extortion. Parks and Garages have Abayomi Abeyi Ajele fondly called Ikomodina, Michael Adewale often referred as Hot water and Raji-student mount. They are all in charge of the check points between Mile 2 and Sunrise where the amount between N2,000 and N6,000 are forcefully collected per point from our members. Also, the likes of Chiboy and Adeleke collect money from truckers around Kirikiri, FATGBEMS, Badagry Express Road and inside Amuwo Odofin,” he said. 

But in response to all these allegations, Oniha declared COMTUA allegations are. Frivolous, explaining that “COMTUA wrote us to say that our haulage branch is mounting illegal road blocks, we discovered that this was completely false. Yes our constitution permits the haulage branch to ticket trucks within zones inside the ports but anything outside the ports is not from our members, so it's false.”

Oniha maintained that COMTUA's accusation of treating their letter with disdain is untrue. 

He said, "They wrote us and copied the Commissioner of Police Maritime, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and we responded appropriately to all these.” 

On the accusation of collaborating with the newly formed Lagos Parks and Garages Committee, Oniha disclosed that MWUN is at war with afore mentioned group. 

To him, “They attacked, maimed and killed 4 of our members at Tin can Port for which after settlement they were asked to pay compensation to the victims, including burying those who were killed, another attack by the same group also reoccurred recently, how can we now collaborate with them? This matter is in the public domain because the Customs Service, Tincan island Command wrote them. So as you can see their claims are frivolous and this is coming up because we left COMTUA," Comrade Oniha stated.

SAHCO Bags Accuracy and Precision Excellence Award 

ZAINAB JUNAID. 

As part of its relentless pursuit of accuracy and precision in cargo operational services at all levels, Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO), has again bagged the Accuracy and Precision Excellence award at the 2022 Accuracy and Precision Excellence award Dinner held recently in Lagos. 

The APE Award was conferred on SAHCO by AVOLAD Engineering Nigeria Limited, an Indigenous Engineering Company that specializes in cargo/baggage weighing equipment used for weighing Cargo bulks needed to provide load control with the accurate measurement of the pallets loaded on the aircraft and for determining the cost of the cargo for import and export. 

Speaking on the award, AVOLAD’s General Manager, Adebayo Oluyamo said the nomination of Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC (SAHCO) for the 2022 award was based on SAHCO’s relentless pursuit of accuracy and precision in cargo operational services at all times.

Oluyamo  explained that careful consultations were made during  the screening process and the committee approved the conferment on SAHCO based on sterling performance and exceptional contributions towards proper maintenance and calibration of SAHCO weighing equipment, development of standard accuracy and precision procedures in operational services thereby maintaining world standards in offering cargo services.

However, the Managing Director/ CEO of SAHCO, Mr. Basil Agboarumi in appreciation mood, thanked the organizers for recognizing SAHCO, adding that the award will encourages the company to deliver at its best. 

Basil reiterated that his company which recently got its  ISO 900:2015 Certification, was known for adhering strictly to International Standards in everything it engages in and always provide excellent services to its numerous customers using its world class Ground Support Equipment 

Spokesperson for SAHCO, Mrs Uansohia Vanessa Adetola in a statement also said “SAHCO, a Public Liability Company that keeps raising the bar in the Aviation Ground Handling industry deserves the award as it’s building and maintaining a fleet of ultra-modern ground handling equipment that are fitted with the latest technological innovations. The company also has well-trained customer-centric staff with presence in all the commercially operated airports in Nigeria and ultra- modern warehouses with massive cold rooms and freezers. 

“SAHCO is involved in Passenger Handling services, Ramp Handling services, Cargo Handling services and Warehousing, Aviation Security services, VIP lounge services and other Aviation related services by delivering quality services that is always aimed at exceeding customers’ expectations,” she said. 

AFCFTA Story

 Buhari Tasks African Countries On AFCFTA

ZAINAB JUNAID 

In a bid for African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) to have positive impact on African economy, especially in long term investment productive capacities the Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has urged African Governments to adopt appropriate supporting policies, build requisite infrastructure and have educated work force. 

President Buhari stated this today at the ongoing 9th edition of African Shippers’ Day organized by Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in collaboration with the Union of African Shippers’ Council (UASC) in Lagos, with the theme “African Continental Free Trade Agreement: A Veritable Platform for African Shippers to Mainstream into Global Trade,”

The President, who was represented by the Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, affirmed that making AfCFTA a reality will require creating national institutions for implementing the Agreement, in addition to institutional coordination mechanisms for execution between public sector, private sector and donors. 

“That is why the Nigerian Government have intensified efforts aimed at identifying new opportunities for diversification and value chain development under the AfCFTA, and complementary actions considered necessary to overcome the existing constraints to intra African trade.

“This we will achieve through cross sectoral approach, considering not just trade, but also closely related areas such as agriculture, industry, macroeconomic management and infrastructure development, ” he said. 

Adegoroye also lamented on the sharp contrast in the intra African Trade in goods when compared to other regions like Asia and Europe. 

To him, as at 2017, intra-African trade in goods was $135 billion representing 15% of Africa’s total trade,  while that of European Countries is as high as 70% with 60% in Asia respectively. 

He noted that the imposition of export bans especially on food items by some countries and the disruption of global supply chain at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic showed how exposed and vulnerable African countries are because of limited productive capacity and lack of regional value chain.

In his words: “The global economy is a source of growth that African economies cannot afford to ignore. While African exports of goods and services have seen their fastest growth in the past decade, the volumes remain low at just 3 percent of global trade. African countries must therefore expand and diversify their participation in international trade and global value chains to create wealth, generate employment and to reduce poverty on a large scale as well as trans form their economies. Achieving this lofty economic objective I believe is one of the major reasons that informed the birthing of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).”

“The establishment of the AfCFTA presents major opportunities of production and exports, creates employment and limits the impact of commodity price volatility on the economies of various African countries. AFCFTA is expected to bring about a number of benefits to producers, consumers and countries alike. However, for AFCFTA to have a positive influence on long-term investment in productive capacities, African government must develop appropriate supporting policies, build the requisite infrastructure and ensure an educated workforce. We will need to actively promote productive employment and decent workplace, women’s empowerment and food security and reduction in inequalities.”

In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of NSC, Hon. Emmanuel Jime, stressed that there is a need to sensitize various governments within the region to fast-track the dismantling of tariff and non-tariff barriers hindering trade in the region.

Jime also asserted that the reorientation and reorganization of intra-African trade should start from the West African sub-region, adding that when the sub-region gets it right, it would be easier to connect and freely trade with other regions of the continent.

Describing transportation as a crucial vehicle for AfCFTA to thrive, he added that: “Africa needs to create smooth integration of transport Infrastructures and trade policies as well as the required awareness among the economic operators in the subregion.”

In a related development, the Secretary General of Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control for West and Central African Region, Capt. Sunday Umoren, reiterated the need to have African fleet that will convey goods to be traded within the region.

Umoren said, “AfCFTA came at the right time and we have this platform binding us together but we need to act fast and snatch the moment. Nothing stops this region from having a strong ship owing capacity, thus eliminating the burden and impact of high freight rate from foreign ships.”

“Abuja MoU would play its role as part of due diligence in supporting nations in engaging the carrier with respect to effective port state regulations in ensuring the safe carriage and delivery of goods with minimal issues,” he said. 

Media Friends organised Colloquium to Honour Late Otunba Folarin 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Maritime Journalists in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council, (NPCC), have concluded plan to organize a One-Day seminar in memory of a beacon of the Maritime Industry, late Otunba Kunle Folarin, who passed on to the glory of God in November 8, 2022.

Organisers of the seminar made this known to maritime Journalists recently, stating that the theme for the day is “Ensuring Effective Disbursement of Cabotage Vessel Financing” and the paper will be presented by a maritime lawyer, Mrs Jean Chiazor Anichere (SAN). 

They said that the event, which was slated for Thursday, January 19, 2023 at the Rockview Hotel, GRA Apapa Lagos by 9.00am, would be chaired by Capt. Emmanuel lheanacho, a former minister of interior and a major player in the industry. 

Panel of discussants on the topic includes the Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Dr Bashir Jamoh, Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) President, Dr. MkGeorge Onyoung, Mrs. Funke Agbo, and  Chief Johnson Chukwu, a financial expert.

Stakeholders among which are Captains of industry, dignitaries, friends, maritime journalists, associates and family members of the late maritime guru are all expected at the colloquium.