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.

Passengers stranded at Lagos Airport

 Passengers Stranded at MMIA as NAHCO Workers Embark on Strike

ZAINAB JUNAID

Strong indications have emerged that many flights will be disrupted today as scores of international passengers were left stranded at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA) Lagos following a strike embarked upon by workers of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCo Plc) on Monday morning over alleged salary issues.

The workers had slated Monday morning for the commencement of their strike due to non satisfaction in their salary structure. 

The ground handling company handles airlines such as Delta, Turkish Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar, and Air France-KLM are some of the airlines the company handles and also do check-in, boarding, and ramp services for many international carriers.

One of the airlines handled by the ground handling company, Virgin Atlantic was left with no other choice but to withheld flight due to the strike action this morning despite its plea to the NAHCO Workers to please rescind their actions while NAHCO management look into the issue. All their moves end in null avoid. 

Many of its passengers today are students who are returning to schools in the United Kingdom, had arrived at the international wing of the Lagos airport for their flights, unaware of what awaited them. Many were seen throwing words at some NAHco workers for choosing to embark on strike as confusion reigned at the terminal.

General Sales Agent (GSA) for Virgin Atlantic Airways, Chief John Adebanjo stated that the situation had already put its passengers in a panic mode as the airline was optimistic that the situation would be resolved and passengers allowed to board for their 10 am flight.

However, it was gathered that NAHCO management had met with the staff on Sunday over the proposed strike but assured that the situation will be addressed soon.

The situation as at the time of filing this report depicted that more airlines could be affected by the problem created by the Staff of NAHCO company today. 

APC Aspirant Tinibu

 Tinubu Pledges to actualize Lekki Deep Seaport Project, Decongest Lagos Ports

ZAINAB JUNAID

Presidential Candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has vowed to decongest Lagos Ports by modernizing other ports outside the state. 

Tinubu made this pledged during his consultative session in Abuja with the Federation of Construction Industry in Nigeria, adding that he is committed to realising the immense opportunities inherent in the Lekki deep seaport, the first new seaport in decades, which is more than 90 per cent completed.

He said his administration would focus on transportation infrastructure, building more roads, rails and improving water transport to ease movement. 

The former Lagos State Governor also promised that his administration would see to the completion of critical ongoing national railway projects which includes: Lagos – Kano; Benin – Abakaliki; Port Harcourt – Maiduguri; Lagos – Calabar; and Kano – Maradi (Niger State) 

His words, “In addition, we shall deploy technology and security assets to protect travellers and ensure the safety and integrity of our railway infrastructure. We will sustain the investments already made by the Buhari administration and deepen ongoing reforms in the sector. 

 “Overall, the transportation sector is valued at N37 trillion. Transport activities contributed 1.84% to real GDP in Q2 2022. Sustaining the political will and technical capacity to move people and goods in a safe, affordable and accessible manner will create a better future for Nigerians. We will, therefore, work hard to improve our various transportation systems and, in the process, unlock the value chain of opportunities therein,” Tinubu said in the interactive session. .  

Also speaking at the session, another former Lagos State Governor now the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), affirmed that if Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is elected, he would continue with the infrastructure project started by President Buhari, since infrastructure is the back bone of a nation’s economy, “Tinubu will not abandon the project started by the President Buhari,” Fashola said. 

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.