Customs, NPA Synergies to Streamline Seaports Operations in the Country

 Customs, NPA Synergies to Streamline Seaports Operations in the Country

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Ag. Comptroller-General of  Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has pledged commitment to enhance the output of designated export processing terminals.

The Customs Boss made this promise on Monday, 28th August, 2023, at his Office, while receiving the Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Muhammad Bello Koko, and his entourage on a courtesy visit.

The Ag. CGC, who spoke on the recent developments at Lilypond, told Mr. Koko that the two organizations need to synergize to streamline the operations of the nation's seaports.

“We need to form a joint team that will engage other Government Agencies to refine the activities of exporting goods through the installation of trackers to avoid delays in the diversion of goods - and I want to assure you that the Management Team of the Nigeria Customs Service will work with you.” Ag. CGC said.

Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Muhammad Bello Koko, congratulated the Ag. CGC, and sought his support to upgrade facilities at the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal and to decongest Lagos ports.

Mr. Koko assured the CGC that once Lagos Ports are decongested, the facilities will attract higher patronage. He also called for synergy among the various Customs Units to enhance speedy passage of cleared consignment at the terminal.

The NPA Boss said, “We thank you so much for supporting the Committee that was set up. Members of this Committee have gone round the country.”

He expressed worries over the congestion at the Port, which, according to him, makes it difficult for the Authority to operate properly.

Nigeria Customs Service Clarifies Misleading Report on Vehicle Identification Number

(VIN) Valuation Process 

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has on Monday August 28, 2023, condemned and regarded as misleading a report on the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Valuation process which was on the social media recently.

The Service spokesman, CSC Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, in a statement made available to Journslists confirmed that a circular about the examination and release of used vehicles has highlighted by the author actually exist, but maintained that the accurate context of the circular was overlooked by the author. 

To him,  "The VIN Valuation Process remains fully operational and effective. The mentioned circular specifically pertains to imported used vehicles equipped with trim numbers. These trim numbers are critical in identifying distinct versions or tiers within a specific car model. They delineate varying configurations, features, and levels of equipment associated with the model. Furthermore, different trim levels offer diverse technological advancements, interior and exterior features, and, occasionally, distinct engine options.  

"For instance, a car model could feature trim levels such as "Base", "Sport", "Luxury", and "Premium. Each of these trim levels might present differing combinations of attributes, such as premium leather seats, advanced infotainment systems, upgraded wheels, and enhanced safety features, among other enhancements. This results in an elevated value for the vehicle compared to the base model.  

"To ensure fairness and accuracy, the NCS mandates that imported used vehicles with trim numbers undergo valuation at the Valuation Seat after a thorough examination. This process aims to establish the vehicle's appropriate and precise Customs value. 

"The NCS urges the general public to dismiss the misleading report and encourages individuals to engage with the various Customs Formations across the nation for any additional clarification or information they may require," he maintained. 

Tin Can Customs Arrests two Suspects in connection with two Containers having Contradicting Bill of Laden

...Seize Frozen Products on False Declaration

ZAINAB JUNAID

Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) has arrested a freight forwarder, Mr. Boniface Ike and one other Suspect on Tuesday, 22 August 2023 at about 14:00hrs and Wednesday, 23 August 2023 at about 14:00 hours, in Connection with importation of 2X40ft containers which have contradicting Blll of Lading.

Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Adekunle Oloyede disclosed this at a press briefing held at the Command today stating that contrary to the Bill of Lading tendered by the suspects, physical examination conducted on their containers upon arrival at the enforcement station by Customs Intelligence Operatives,Customs Police, Examination Officers and Enforcement Officers of the Terminal revealed that illicit dangerous drugs (unregistered regulated pharmaceutical products) are what was concealed in the containers.

Comptroller Oloyede explained that the unregistered pharmaceutical products intercepted are regulated products by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control  (NAFDAC) and didn't have the required permits and certificates for importation in which the documents are to ascertain the safety of the products to Nigerians, hence these illicit dangerous drugs were concealed.

After cross examination, it was discovered that the two containers with numbers MRSU592397/0 and MRKU 553432/1, and Bill of Lading number 227578945 and 227898171 respectively, which listed items laden to include one thousand and Sixteen (1,016) and one thousand and twenty one (1,021) packages containing Electrical Goods Ceiling Fan 36 Jewel (Cooper) and Chilly Cutters( Stainless Steel+Plastic) was found to concealed the followings - 

1.Five (5) cartons of Timaking 120 Tapentadol (Tramadol) Hydrochloride Carisoprodol capsule. Each carton contains 50 rolls, each rolls contains 5 packets, each packet 200 tablets.

2. Eighty-Four (84) cartons of Gastro Resistant Omeprazole capsule BP 200mg. Each carton contains 50 packets, each packet contains 10 capsules,

3. Eight Hundred and Seventy-Six (876) cartons of CSMIX cough syrup containing Codeine (each bottle 100ml). Each carton contains 200 bottles.

4. Fifty (50) cartons of Manual Grater Machine - 70 pieces per carton as means of concealment

5. One (1) carton of Ceiling Fan as a means of concealment.

The Second Container  with number MRKU 553432/1, concealed-

i.Ten (10) cartons of Super Royal 225 (Tramadol). Each carton contains 50 rolls, each roll contains 10 packets, each packet 10 tablets

2. One Hundred and five (105) cartons of Omeprazole Capsule BP 200mg. Each carton contains 50 packets, each packet xontains 10 capsules

3. Seven Hundred and fifty four (754) caryons of Barcadin with Codeine (each bottle 100ml). Eaxh carton contains 200 Bottles.

4. Fifty (50) cartons of Manual Grater Machine -70 pieces per carton as means of concealment.

5. One carton of Compo Ceiling Fan as means  of concealment.

One of the suspects (Mr. Boniface Ike) who pleaded guilty and claimed owner of the two trucks 'Shot himself in the leg' by trying to buy off some officers at the enforcement units.

According to the CAC, "Mr Boniface Ike accepted that he owns the two containers but sought to buy his way out by offering gratification of ₦50, 000, 000 (Fifty Million Naira only), an equivalent of $54, 330 at the current exchange rate of ₦920 to OC Enforcement DG GI Aliyu and Team Manager CIU AC H Abubakar for the release of the containers and his freedom.

"With this development, the Officers played along following my instructions and decided to grant his request. The money was collected and kept in safe custody at the enforcement unit. This will be tendered as exhibit. Meanwhile, the suspects, containers and cash exhibit will be handed over to the agencies that are in charge of regulation of such importation as soon as the Service direct and the Service may decide to prosecute them according to the Service Act, Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023."

However in a related development, another routine examination carried out at Tincan Island Container Terminal on Container No. TTNU 804678/9 with declaration lodged on SGD CNo: 70754 of 24/08/2023, revealed that the Container concealed Frozen Poultry Products inside Tangerines.

"The Single Goods Declaration (SGD) other supporting documents (Form M and PAAR) stated Tangerines which as used to conceal the frozen poultry products actually imported. The goods were falsely declared as they are Import Prohibition (Trade), the Container has been seized for the contravention of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (2023)," CAC Oloyede Said.

Following the siezed items, the CAC reiterated that the Command will never be part of a nefarious acts that will jeopardize the safety and lives of the citizens of Nigeria and warned that fraudulent Importers or agents who refused to desist from this nefarious will be prosecuted accordingly.

"The persistent fraudulent nature of Importers and Agents drives us to be more innovative in putting methods and measures to combat smuggling activities, ensure no leakage of revenue to the Government and safety of Nigerians," the Comptroller said.

Nigeria Customs Adopts Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

 for the Implementation of Advance Ruling

ZAINAB JUNAID

In its bid to promote cooperation and confidence of traders, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recently established a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)- the step by step repeatable process needed to perform specific task, for the implementation of Advance Ruling.

Abdullahi Maiwada, Chief Superintendent of Customs, National Public Relations Officer for Comptroller General of Customs, disclosed this in a statement adding that the decision was reached during the 6th Management Meeting of the NCS held on August 23, 2023. 

The basis for this SOP, according to him, is in line with Section 24 sub-sections 1-9 of the new NCS Act, 2023, and Article 3 of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). 

Advance Ruling is a concept whereby the Customs Administration provides a written decision upon request from the importer concerning valuation, tariff classification, or origin of goods before they are imported. 

This move by the NCS aligns with the principles outlined in the Revised Kyoto Convention of 2006 and the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement of 2017. Advance Ruling has been proven as a valuable tool for trade facilitation, benefiting both Customs administration and traders. It enhances predictability and certainty in Customs treatment for goods. This procedure also promotes cooperation and confidence between Customs and traders, following the guidelines set out by the World Customs Organisation Safe Framework of Standards. 

NCS encourages stakeholders to take advantage of this initiative as the application process will be automated and integrated into the Nigeria Customs Service Trade Portal in line with international best practices.  

Seme Customs Controller Charges

NCS Cadets on Professionalism, Foriegn Languages

ZAINAB JUNAID

Cadets from the Nigeria Customs Service Training College, Ikeja, have been advised to display high level of professionalism as they prepare to be officially integrated into the Nigeria Customs Service. 

The Cadets, who were further urged to be vigilant and acquaint themselves quickly with Customs operations, were received by the Customs Area Controller of Seme Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, on a study tour.

"It is important for you as cadets to know your onions by exhibiting a high level of professionalism, vigilance, cooperation, and adaptability in ensuring the integrity of the nation's borders, as well as sharing real-life examples of successful seizures and interceptions from the border by Officers and Men of the Nigeria Customs Services working at the border."

On NCS Facebook page, Dera was reported to have said that the Cadets will be passing out from the Training College in few weeks time, and it is pertinent for them to understand what border management is all about. He said it is a deliberate movement to acquire practical knowledge and understanding of the job.

Dera also emphasised the need to introduce and learn a second language to aid easy communication and collaboration with foreign sister agencies. 

"The emphasis on learning a second foreign language adds a new dimension to your training, ensuring you are equipped to excel in a rapidly evolving global environment.”

The college's Commandant, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Haniel Hadison, who led the Cadets, appreciated their host for further exposure to the intricacies and challenges involved in trade facilitation and maintaining adequate border security.

Reflecting on the experience, the Cadets expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to learn practical knowledge on border activities from Comptroller Nnadi,  acknowledging that the study tour is an insight into Customs practical operations.

NIPR Delegation with the Ag. Customs CG

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Ag. Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, on Wednesday, 23 August 2023, received the Chairman, Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations(NIPR), Mukhtar Sirajo, Members of the Governing Council, Fellows, Chair of State Chapters and other members of the Institute at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, Abuja.

The coutesy visit, according to Mukhtar Sirajo, was to congratulate the Ag. CGC on his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and also to discuss the Institute's readiness for its forthcoming Annual General Meeting(AGM)and elections slated for Thursday, 23rd August 2023.

He said, “As this meeting marks my final act as the President, I feel mandated to congratulate the Nigeria Customs Service for having Bashir Adewale Adeniyi as Ag. Comptroller-General of the Service, I want to tell you that he is an excellent team player."

Muktar appealed to the CGC to deploy patience and humility in his leadership to take the Service to the next level while assuring the audience that the Nigeria Customs Service will be better under his supervision.

He assured the CGC that the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations will not relent in supporting him in all ramifications to succeed.

In response, the Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, who is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, and also the Vice President of the institute, expressed appreciation for their presence at Customs Headquarters, assured continous support for the institute, and anticipated for a successful AGM, election and transition process.

“Now that you are in Abuja for this AGM and elections, I want to implore all of us to maintain our good relationships even after the election, irrespective of the outcome of the election.” He said.

Unemployment, Rejection, SeaTime

Constitue Setback for Nigeria Female Seafarers- Research

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Women are feminine gender that always shouldered series of responsibilities with greater success. There is no field where they've not shown their worth. Their economic empowerment have always increase productivity, economic diversification and also leads to positive development outcomes of a country.

Their involvement in different trade, seafaring trade especially has been a welcome development with a growing phenomenon but are restricted by many challenges.

Being a conventionally man's world, seafaring is a profession some women feared to take up as a profession. However, the courageous ones are being restricted  by many challenges which includes sexual harrassment, job denials, anxiety, isolation, loneliness, gender inequality. These among others have made some female seafarers to feel at some time in their period that they've made biggest mistake of choosing a career at sea.

These problems have been a global trending issue with Nigeria not left out and it has reduced the participation of women in the industry.

At this year's International Women's Day, the International Maritime Organisation(IMO) confirmed that there is still gender imbalance in Maritime Industry, as women still only represent a tiny fraction of the global seafarer workforce. A number that looks a little bleak.

It estimated that there are 1.2 million seafarers across the world with Women making up 34% of the shore-based workforce in shipowning companies; Women account for 29% of the overall workforce in the general industry; account for 20% of the workforce of national maritime authorities in IMO Member States; Female staff in search and rescue teams in national maritime authorities account for only 10% of the workforce; Women seafarers make up just 2% of the crewing workforce which is predominantly in the cruise industry

However, just 1.28% of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) certified seafarers across the globe are women. A percentage that is daunting.

The president of Female Seafarers Association of Nigeria(FESAN), Mrs Koni Duniya also confimed presence of gender inequality and unemployment problem faced by female seafarers in Nigeria.

Speaking as a facilitator at the Maritime Writes Project organised by Ezinne Azunna in Lagos recently, FESAN President, Mrs Koni Duniya disclosed that there is higher patronage of men than their female counterparts in most female dominated work. 

In her paper titled "Pushing for Equity& Justice: The Story of Female Seafarers in Nigeria", Mrs Koni noted that Female participation in Nigeria has not being encouraging.

A situation where most vessel owners tell you that their vessel specification does not encourage female participation in seafaring, which means that they don’t have ships that allows one cabin to one woman. In this situation, Isolation set in for the female involved because they will want to have four to five seafarers onboard using one cabin and the female involved will not want to stay in the midst of the male seafarers".

To her, "Unemployment issue is the problem we are currently facing in Nigeria. We have enough female seafarers who have Certificate of Competency, but most of them are jobless. But, if many female seafarers are thriving and are gainfully employed, the profession will become attractive to young female students who aspire to work on ships.

Further Research also revealed that most Nigerian female seafarers are faced with the issue of Sea Time(all the time spent working on a ship at sea that is actively sailing for cargo transportation and is not the complete amount of time a Seafarer spends at sea which also at the port). The SeaTime is a document provided by the department head (chief engineer and ship captain) to the seafarer, endorsing that the seafarer has sailed on the ship for a particular period of time. Close to 50 Nigerian female seafarers falls victim of this and this called for urgent intervention of the appropriate Authorities in the sector to deploy efficient redressal mechanism.

Strong and efficient redressal mechanism is highly required to resolve the issues of women seafarers. Efforts should be taken to eliminate the social stigma attached to women seafarers in Nigeria.

It has been a ray of hope seeing feminine gender aspiring for a career in the maritime sector, and government intervention is needed, knowing fully well that investing in women is the most effective way to lift communities, companies, and countries. Nations with more gender equality have better economic growth.

Just as International Maritime Organisation (IMO) supports gender equality and the empowerment of women through gender specific fellowships by facilitating access to high-level technical training for women in the maritime sector in developing countries; creating the environment in which women are identified and selected for career development opportunities in maritime administrations, ports and maritime training institutes; facilitating the establishment of professional women in maritime associations, particularly in developing countries, relevant authorities in Nigeria's maritime sector need as a matter of urgency to put into consideration Nigerian Female Seafarers who have Certificate of Competency and are strongly qualified.