Customs FOU ‘A’ Arrests 9 in connection with Goods Worth N1.24bn in October

Seizes 7,381 units of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, 593 Jerrycans of PMS

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Federal Operations Unit(FOU) Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) has arrested nine suspects in connection with some seizures worth one billion, two hundred and forty one million, seven hundred and seventy seven thousand, seven hundred naira only (N1,241,777,700) Duty Paid Value(DPV).

Speaking at a media briefing held today at the Unit to showcase the goods intercepted for October, Customs Area Controller of the Unit, Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu disclosed this while reeling out the list of seizures.

According to him, “Rice has been a recurring commodity in the list of seizures across various borders in the southwest zone and the Unit has seized a total of 7,381 units of 50kg foreign parboiled rice from smugglers which amounted to almost thirteen trailer loads of rice in the South West region. 

"A total of seventeen vehicles were also seized from smugglers who wanted to circumvent the law by evading duty payment, 593 jerrycans (14,825 litres) of premium motor spirit was also intercepted Because of the volatility of this product, we have safely disposed them in line with laid down rules."

Other seizures made are 657 pieces of used tyres, 167 (202 kg) parcels of Indian hemp, 39 bales of second hand-clothing, 100 packs of tomato ketchup, 4 units of used motorcycle, 600 cartons of GIV soap and 730 sacks of hide and skin hidden in a 1x40 container equivalent to 5,033 pieces.

In view of the number of vehicles seized by the Unit, Ejibunu restated that the ban on vehicle importation through land borders still subsists and smugglers should desist from its importation.

However, the continuous quest to prevent revenue loss through various infractions such as; under-valuation, under-payments, and wrong classification, the sum of N115,456,534.94 was collected by the Unit following the issuance of demand notices to defaulters.” 

He noted that  deployment of the improved logistics supplied by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir A Adeniyi MFR; provision of strategic manpower placements to the Unit officers has made the drive to suppress smuggling easy and "the unit shall sustain efforts towards deploying the strategies continuously," he said. 

The Ag. Controller further read out riot act to all smugglers on the forth coming yuletide saying, "I  want to state that this Unit of the Service under my watch will make the remaining part of 2023 and beyond tough for smugglers in the interest of our country. We are ready to intercept them and frustrate their antics of concealment, illegal route passage, false declaration and under declaration. In addition, we are also determined to implement all the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, including the various penalties attached to offences while striving to ensure that perpetrators face the full wrath of the laws."

 

Maritime Unions kick Against Revitalization of Port and Harbour Bill

 ...Condemn Attempt by National Assembly to Sneak the Bill into Legislation through Back Door

... Reject the Bill seeking to repeal NPA's ACT

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Leaderships of the two in-House Unions in the Maritime Sector - Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria(MWUN) and Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies(SSASCGOC) Maritime Branch, have kicked against the renewed attempt by the National Assembly to sneak the Port and Harbour Bill into Legislation through the back door.

Speaking at a joint press briefing held by the Unions on Monday November 6 2023, at MWUN's headquarters in Lagos, Dr. Adeyanju Adewale and Comrade Akin Bodunde affirmed that the Bill which was earlier initiated by an Honourable member of the 8th national assembly was squashed from becoming law through the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians, Stakeholders and the exerted efforts of the two in-house unions -MWUN & SSASCGOC, who mutually and strongly maintained their opposition towards the proposed hellish Bill.

They warned that if the said bill is passed into law will have adverse effects on the security of the nation as it will cede harbour, jetty and terminal operations into private hands.

In their words, "The bill as being processed if passed into law will render the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) employees jobless and endanger the productivity of other port users. It will also institutionalize the evil concept of casualization of workers and as well negate the provisions of the Pension reform Act 2004 as amended.

"This is in direct contrast to the avowed promises of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to ensure the provision of about 5 million jobs for Nigerians through the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. 

"We are not surprised that the Bill is being vigorously sponsored by certain unpatriotic individuals within the Maritime Sector, who are hell bent on appropriating our common wealth and concerning same into the lining of their individual pockets and that of their cronies."

"But we are surprised that the sponsors of the bill outrightly ignored our demand to call the International Oil Companies(IOCs) operating in our sovereign territorial economic zones, who have snobbishly refused to obey our extant Maritime regulations, standards and laws to order. But find it expedient to sit in the comfort of their hallowed chambers to push for laws that will be detrimental and inimical to the welfare and wellbeing of the working class, Nigerians and our nation's security and sovereignty.

"The 'Joint House Unions', MWUN & SSASCGOC use this medium to convey our believe to the Executive, National Assembly and the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy that this certainly not the right way to go as this ploy by these selfish individuals in the Maritime Sector will cause chaos and anarchy in the industry which has enjoyed sustained peace since the idea of projecting the harsh Bill was killed in 2018 and it will not be allowed to come to fruition 

In view of the afore said, the groups unanimously rejected the Bill seeking to repeal the Act that set up Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) in it's entirety and thus confirmed absolute vote of confidence on the NPA Act.

To them, the Act currently relates to the Nigerian state and the well-being of the workers in the sector and any attempt to push the hellish bill further will be vehemently resisted.

However on appointment of leadership of all agencies in the industry, the two groups called for appointment of technocrats who are vast in Maritime operations in consonance with the laid down laws.

'Nigeria to Implement full Automation of Existing Ports'- Oyetola

... NPA Hosts 43rd Annual Council and 18th Managing Directors' Round Table of PMAWCA

In deepening the readiness for the exigent demands and widening opportunities inherent in African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Nigeria will be implementing a policy of full automation of existing ports as well as pursue a thorough going port modernization programme that involves comprehensive rehabilitation and reconstruction where necessary.

The Minister of Marine and Blue economy, Honorable Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this today at the 43rd Annual Council and 18th Managing Directors' Round Table of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa(PMAWCA), held in Lagos, saying the Roundtable came at a period the continent is eager and determined to reposition the Ports for competitiveness and has resolved to transform maritime potentials into actualities.

Honourable Oyetola said the implementation of a policy of new ports development as demonstrated by the Lekki Deep Seaport, which apart from being the first Deep Seaport in Nigeria is the first fully automated port at take-off. 

He said with the theme of the conference: 'The Role of Ports in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)' the cream of industry experts assembled at the Round Table are enough to do justice to the critical subject at hand and will provide the needed insight through knowledge sharing for policy makers in the maritime sector to work assiduously towards the realization of ports potentials.   

Stressing the importance of PMAWCA, Oyetola said the Association is an organization whose mission is to contribute to improvement in the quality of port activities and services of its members in order to promote sustainable socio-economic development of their respective countries and the sub-region.

"Some of the strategies the Association employs to achieve its mission includes cooperation and knowledge sharing on best practices in port management and operations in order to deliver optimum value ship and cargo owners. 

"Also, leveraging members’ expertise through technical committees and programs that create platforms focused on resolving complex port and maritime industry concerns and building greater efficiency and sustainability for ports in the sub-region especially as the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement to which Nigeria is signatory gains traction," he noted.

Oyetola stressed that the success story of Lekki Deep Seaport will govern the operationalization of the already approved Badagry and Ondo Deep Seaports as well as the upcoming Snake Island and Burutu Ports.    

His words, "It is worthy to mention that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is committed more than ever before to exploring the entire gamut of opportunities in the marine and blue economy ecosystem including coastal tourism. 

"As some of us are aware only last month, we commissioned the Mission to Seafarers Nigeria in a bid to provide a facility of international standard to provide social, psychological and emotional support necessary for peak performance for crew men and women who sail into our ports from all over the world. 

"I urge the presenters, discussants and delegates to have an open mind in unravelling issues that hitherto limit us from repositioning our ports for competitiveness.

In his remarks Mr. Mohammed Bello Koko, Managing Director, Nigerian Port Authority(NPA) expressed delight for successfully hosting the regional meeting of great minds aimed at maximizing the potentials of rich maritime endowments.

According to him, the theme of the occasion “The Role of Ports in the African Continental Free Trade (AfCFTA)” speaks to the frontline responsibility of Ports in the trade facilitation value chain. 

"The need to translate our marine comparative advantages into opportunities for the collective prosperity of our respective countries has never been more pressing than it is now," he said.

Bello stressed that the demonstrated global leadership of ports in the contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), shows that the sustainability of the world especially Africa rests heavily on the sustainability of our Ports.

"Apart from being linked by water, countries in West and Central Africa are linked by challenges and opportunities. Thus, given the increasing realization of the leverage that economic cooperation confers in the international arena, we will be doing great disservice to ourselves if we fail to maximize this unity through the cooperation of our ports."

To him, "the specific objectives of AfCFTA which includes the progressive elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade in goods, liberalization of trade in services and cooperation amongst others is pregnant with a lot of opportunities for wealth creation and prosperity which I am convinced this conference will equip us to safely midwife for the benefit of our respective national economies with domino effect on the economy of the sub-region if our ports cooperate.

"As an organization that appreciates the catalytic role of PMAWCA in promoting Ports’ cooperation, the Nigerian Ports Authority will continue to embrace partnerships and support policies and action steps arising from the insightful policy-shaping meetings and technical sessions that will dominate the next few days.

"The visionary creation of the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to supervise Nigerian Ports by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the clarion call for more audacious initiatives made last week by the Honourable Minister His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola during the commissioning of our newly reconstructed Mission to Seafarers facility, has re-energized our resolve to invest more in order to  harness more ideas from operational think tanks such as the PMAWCA Harbour Master /PFSO Network and PMAWCA Women Network where the Authority has over the years funded relevant employees for capacity building."

He further commended PMAWCA Secretariat for sustaining this annual platform of cross fertilization of ideas and knowledge sharing for mutual development of our respective countries and the advancement of global trade, adding that delegates and discussants should brood upon the seminal statement of global statesman, Franklin D. Roosevelt that “competition has shown to be useful up to a certain point and no further, but cooperation which is the thing we must strive for today, begins where competition leaves off”

Breaking: NPA to Appoint New Image Maker as Josephine MOLTOK Retires

Breaking: NPA to Appoint New Image Maker as Josephine Moltok Retires 

ZAINAB JUNAID

Strong Indication has emerged that the Nigerian Port Authority(NPA) is on the verge of getting a new General Manager (GM), Corporate and Strategic Communications (C&SC) for the authority as Mrs Josephine Adar Moltok retired last week.

Even though we want to believe there are intrigues behind the retirement, information at our disposal revealed that Mrs Moltok's retirement was as a result of statutory laid down Civil Service rules and regulations which state that mandatory retirement is attained in the Federal Civil Service upon attainment of either 60 years of age or 35 years of service.

She retired last week following the information at our disposal.

Mrs Moltok who assumed duty as the GM Corporate and Strategic Communications January 2023, is a well known media guru diligent at her job, perseverance in resolving challenges and always determined in achieving objectives.

The Plateau-born media guru held the position for just ten months, as she took over from Mrs Oluyemisi Oyinlola, a lawyer, who also held the post for barely one month, in January 2023.

Details later...

NIMASA, Pauli Set to Exploit Opportunities in Blue Economy

...as they hold talk in Abuja 

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency,(NIMASA) Dr. Bashir Jamoh met with Professor Gunter Pauli to discuss possibilities in Nigeria’s Blue Economy, in Abuja.

Prof. Pauli, an economist and entrepreneur, and also a Blue Economy(which is now a global concept) expert, has worked with many countries to draw policies for their blue economies.

The meeting was a follow up to the session the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola had with Professor Pauli, where the need for the NIMASA DG to meet with experts like Gunter Pauli, was highlighted.

Jamoh noted that having Professor Pauli interphase with stakeholders of the new Ministry would definitely help develop viable policies for the smooth take-off of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry.

"I had the opportunity to meet the man who formulated the global policies around Blue Economy, and we have discussed various ways to harness the resources in the Nigerian waters in a sustainable manner. He has expressed his willingness to work with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to formulate policies that will help Nigerians begin to enjoy the gains of the establishment of the Ministry”.

On his part, Gunter Pauli said he is willing to assist the Nigerian Government to develop policies around Blue Economy for the good of Nigerians.

CGC Adewale Reiterates Commitment to Penalize Economic Saboteurs

…as NCS Trains Staff on Geospatial Technology

ZAINAB JUNAID

As part of his commitment to intensify Nigeria Customs Service(NCS)’s efficiency, leverage technology to enhance trade and curb smuggling amongst other criminalities, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, on Wednesday, 1st November 2023, initiated a two-day workshop on GEOSPATIAL techniques for the officers and men of the Service.

The program, according to the CGC, ably represented by Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Sa'idu Galadima, will enlighten the officers to have a practical understanding of border security — which will yield positive results in boosting Nigeria's economy.

He spoke on the CGC's passion for intensifying the Service's efficiency, leveraging technology to enhance trade and curb smuggling amongst other criminalities.

The DCG described him as “a person who extremely supports technology.”

On her part, the Assistant  Comptroller-General of Customs for ICT/Modernization, Kikelomo Adeola, said introducing GEOSPATIAL technology training for Customs officers will enable the Service to maximize its war against smuggling.

She said, “Gone are those days when officers carry guns to scout smugglers in the bushes; that's why we deemed it necessary to introduce this geospatial program to equip our staff with requisite experience in checkmating smuggling activities while in their offices.”

According to her, the workshop, if concluded, will enable the Service to detect all the illegal and unapproved routes made by smugglers across the border areas and also deploy intervention to thwart their nefarious activities.

She said, “This training will go a long way in strengthening Customs' unflinching efforts to improve trade in Nigeria, so geospatial doesn't only give insight to our offices to mitigate smuggling through technological moonroof, but also gives accurate and timely intelligence to ensure that anti-smuggling activities are perfectly achieved.”

Onne Customs Generates N246.03bn from January to October 2023

 ...Arrests two in Connection with Pistol and Ammunition, Seizes goods worth N1.2bn DPV

ZAINAB JUNAID

Port Harcourt 2 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service Onne, has generated a total of ₦246,025,872,903.80 from January to October 2023, an increase of ₦44,145,889,008.65 from the amount generated in 2022 within the same period under review.

Speaking at a press briefing organized by the Command on Friday, November 3, 2023, to showcase seizures made and also handover two suspects arrested in connection with pistol and ammunition, Customs Area Controller of the Command to Nigerian Police Force, Comptroller Baba Imam disclosed that the Command realized over 38 Billion Naira for the month of October alone, surpassing its monthly revenue target of 28 Billion Naira with an increment of over 10 Billion Naira.

On seizures made, Comptroller Baba revealed that in the course of examining an imported container from United State which was declared to contain household effects and One used vehicle, was found to contain One pistol and 100 rounds of ammunition on the 26th of October 2023.

According to him,“two suspects have been arrested in connection with this importation. The pistol, ammunition as well as the two suspects shall all be handed over to the Nigerian police force shortly after this press briefing, as criminal cases relating to our collaborative functions with other Government agencies are handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution.”

Comptroller Baba added that as part of the commitment to reducing the incidences of smuggling to the bearest minimum within its terrain, the Command has also seized  9 containers which worth a total duty paid value of ₦1,162,424,371.00 for violations of extant import prohibition laws.

The goods concealed in the containers  include -  724 bales of used clothing, 1805 pieces of used tyres,   4 Vehicles used in concealment of 76.9kg special cannabis (marijuana), 2070 cartons of Tomatoe paste, and 1578 cartons of Barcadin Cough syrup with codeine (100ml) among others.

Correcting the notion that Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) is always delighted in impounding containers or making seizures, the Command Boss noted that the seizures are done to enforce the laws of the nation and to serve as deterrent to others.

His words, "The Command and indeed the Customs of today has zero tolerance to smuggling and has no cause not to perform, as every encouragement, logistics and other incentives have been given by our amiable Comptroller General of Customs, BASHIR ADEWALE ADENIYI, MFR, and that has boosted the morale of all officers to be more determined than ever to fight smuggling."