PTML Customs Generates N234b, Surpasses November 2022 Revenue By N20.9b

 ... As Comptroller Yusuf Congratulates Grimaldi on Berthing of 'MV Great Lagos'

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Port Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of Nigeria Customs Service has collected a total of N234,340,789,594 as revenue as at November 30,2023 thus surpassing the November 2022 collection of N213,405,461,873 by N20,935,327,721 which represents a 9.8% increase. 

Comptroller Saidu Abba Yusuf, Customs Area Controller(CAC) of the Command, who disclosed this shortly after a reception ceremony for 'MV Great Lagos, a Grimaldi owned Roll on Roll off(RoRo) vessel, expressed optimism in meeting the 2023 total revenue target of the command. 

The CAC said PTML officers are fully deployed to work optimally in line with the assurances they gave to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, when he visited the command two months ago. 

He restated that compliance and transparency are key to faster cargo clearance at all times as customs officers are fully mobilised to conduct joint examination from 9am to 4pm with sister government agencies to avoid the delays associated with seperate examinations by the individual agencies. 

To him, the command is a model in many areas including a record breaking three hour RoRo cargo clearance time where there is hundred percent compliance. 

He added that the feat is sustainable and has contributed to the achievement of adequate terminal space devoid of congestion in PTML. 

Speaking on the visit of 'MV Great Lagos', a ship with space to carry 2500 vehicles and 2000 containers, 2500 general cargo and equipments, the CAC noted that the development shows the capacity of the command to receive and process increased number of imported cargoes

He thus congratulated the Grimaldi Group for the feat, and advised all port users and stakeholders to be compliant at all times as a way to enjoy the lawful benefits of trade facilitation and ease of doing business. 

His words, "Since my arrival, I have been saying a lot of things about the advantages of being compliant. Once you are compliant, you won't experience any delay in cargo clearance. When you declare exactly what you have, and when you pay exactly what you are supposed to pay as your duties we won't delay you. The fastest we have done so far in terms of time release is about 3 hours.When a consignee or a declarant declares exactly what he has, examination is quickly conducted and release is quickly done. Within 3 hours, your cargoes are out.We don't have any cause to hold on to any cargo as long as the compliance level is 100 percent.

"The most important thing, as I always say, is compliance and transparency.When you talk about the harmonization of process, standardization of process, simplification of process, all these entails that there must be transparency. Once there is transparency, it makes our job easier and the issue of interventions, infractions will be limited and the time release will be so fast.The moment the time release is fast, it attracts more businesses in line with World Customs Organisation tenets which all customs administration are trying to key into." 

Hassan Bello, Uromta, Nnadi, Others to attend NAGAFF 24th Anniversary

Hassan Bello, Uromta, Nnadi, Others to attend NAGAFF 24th Anniversary 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Eminent personalities in the Maritime industry among whom are-Barrister Hassan Bello(OON) former Executive Secretary of  Nigerian Shippers' Council(NSC), the Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Bello Koko; Mrs Chinyere Uromta, Registrar Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarders in Nigeria (CRFFN), Comptroller Dera Nnadi, Customs Area Comptroller, Tincan Island Port and AIGP Mohammed Ari Ali, AIG Zone 2 Lagos, are all set to attend National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders(NAGAFF) 24th anniversary slated for Friday, 8th December, 2023.

The event which has its theme as "AGRO ALLIED PRODUCTS: BEDROCK FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT" will hold at Rockview Hotels Apapa, Lagos.  

In a release made available to journalists by the Chairman Planning Committee, Chief Chris Agbowodikeizu and the National Publicity Secretary of NAGAFF, Fwdr. C.C. Iwegbuna Omenma(FISEN), the event will feature presentation of awards to deserving personalities in the Maritime Industry and beyond including some Agency heads. 

According to the release, the guest speaker for the ceremony is Captain John T. Okakpu-(Chairman and Coordinator Nigeria Agro Export Setup Committee. A committee approved by Fmr. President Muhammadu Buhari and domiciled at Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, Host and Custodian National Technical Work Group (NTWG) Nigeria, NAQS (Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services).

"The event will also be graced by notable  personalities in the Maritime Industry including Dr Boniface Aniebonam, Founder of NAGAFF/NNPP,  Prince(Dr) Adewale Adeyanju, President General, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria(MWUN), Fmr. National Vice/Acting President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agent(ANLCA), Dr Farinto Kayode, Presidents of Sister Freight Forwarding Associations, captains of the Industry among others.

The chairman of the occasion is Barrister Hassan Bello(OON) former Executive Secretary Nigerian Shippers' Council while Special Guests of honour include, the MD Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Mrs Chinyere Uromta, Registrar Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) , Comptroller Dera Nnadi, Customs Area Comptroller, Tincan Island Port and AIGP Mohammed Ari Ali, AIG Zone 2 Lagos," the communique partly read.

“Oyetola, Dangote, Others Confirm Attendance of our 25th Anniversary” -LOME

“Oyetola, Dangote, Others Confirm Attendance of our 25^th Anniversary” -LOME

ZAINAB JUNAID

The League of Maritime Editors(LOME) Monday said it has received confirmation that the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, H.E, Adegboyega Oyetola will attend it’s 25^th anniversary celebration which will hold in Lagos in December 7, 2023.

According to the President of the League, Timothy Okorocha, Officials of the ministry confirmed that the Minister who is the Chief Host and the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mrs Magdalene Ajani will attend the event.

Okorocha added that the League has also received the assurance that the Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who is to chair the event will also be available.

“Likewise, Chief Executives of agencies under the Ministry who are all billed to present papers on different topics in line with their statutory obligations have equally sent words that they will be available for the programme,”  he said.

However, a statement earlier issued by the President of the League, Chief Timothy Okorocha and the Public Relations Officer, Mr Francis Ugwoke, revealed that part of the programme lined up for the event slated for December 7 include- presentation of papers by distinguished industry Chief Executive Officers/chieftains and award to deserving corporate organisations and individuals while the themes of the anniversary are “Harnessing Nigeria’s Potential in Marine and Blue Economy” and “The New Customs Act 2023 and Its Implication on Trade” respectively.

The Statement read further that “The NCS and other agencies under the Marine and Blue Ministry shall be presenting papers in respect of their contributions to the success of the blue economy under the new administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

“No fewer than 16 corporate organisations and individuals drawn from the maritime sector, among them, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) have been slated for the conferment of awards based on their remarkable performance in their statutory obligations in the sector.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG Headquarters), Alhaji A.O Olajogun shall also be conferred with individual awards.”

The League identified two prominent women in the industry to be honoured during the event.

They are the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Mrs Magdalene Ajani and the recently retired General Manager, Corporate & Strategic Communications, NPA, Mrs Josephine Moltok.

The League, according to the statement, has followed their track records since they joined the industry, which is the reason for the honour being extended to them.
The event which is billed to hold at the Lagos Travel Inn, 39/41 Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos, by 10 am, is part of the contributions of League to the success of the blue economy agenda of the federal government.

 

APFFLON Bemoans Epileptic Service Delivery Of Webb Fontaine

 …. Urges Government to unmask owners of the company 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria(APFFLON) has condemned the inefficiencies and epileptic service delivery of Webb Fontaine Nigeria Limited, which has resulted into economic losses  and crippling operations of Stakeholders at Nigeria’s Sea Ports and Terminals.

The President of the association, Mr. Frank Ogunojemite demanded to know the intrigues behind the constant failure of the service of Webb Fontaine Ltd, which is responsible for the provision of Information Technology(IT), Telecom Infrastructure and network management to the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS).

Speaking at a RoundTable with Maritime Journalist Association of Nigeria (MAJAN) recently, Mr. Ogunojemite lamented  the frequent difficulties experienced by freight forwarders in clearing  their cargo as a result of consistent server breakdown, which connotes inefficiencies on the part  of Webb Fontaine Ltd.

These infractions have resulted into monumental economic losses  to importers and freight forwarders.

Otunba Ogunojemite said," Government needs to investigate  the activities of  Webb Fontaine from the date of their engagement till present date".

Webb Fontaine Nigeria Limited was engaged in 2006 to provide service to the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) in the area of information technology deployment, to make the operations of the NCS effective and seamless and also block leakages and increase revenue.

However, the APFFLON boss noted that this objective has so far fallen short, as there are lots of hiccups in the operations of the Server which has caused financial losses to Stakeholders at the Nigerian Ports.

“There have been no sensitization or stakeholders engagement by Webb Fontaine on its operations or any regret or public apology for the losses the importers and other Port'’ users were subjected, leaving aggrieved users to blame Customs Officials and the NCS management for server disruption.

“Webb Fontaine does not have help desks or contact offices at Ports and Terminals, rather the company stations its offices at choice locations in cities, whereas its services are for ports and terminals.

“Amid the numerous challenges in Nigeria’s port system attributable to the company- Web Fontaine, findings have shown that the Dubai-based company operates a seamless and hitch free process in Dubai while subjecting Nigerians to gross inefficiencies and with this, we can conclude that the company’s actions were deliberate to sabotage Nigerian economy,” he said.

Vice President Shettima to grace CGC Annual Conference 2023

... Conference slated for December 13-15 

this year's conference will be graced by esteem guests including -Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima GCON, Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwolu and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun.

ZAINAB JUNAID

The much awaited Comptroller General of Customs Annual Conference has finally been scheduled to hold from 13 to 15 December, 2023 at the Grand African Ballroom, Continental Hotel, Lagos.

This is in line with Comptroller General of  Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR's effort and that of his management team to modernize the Nigeria Customs Service, through leveraging on technology driven solutions to reshape the future of the Service operations.

The theme of this year's conference according to the CGC is "Leveraging data analytics for secure and efficient trade facilitation in Customs operations."

CG Adewale stressed that the event will centre around discussions on implementing new measures to enhance the Service operations, champion security, efficient trade facilitation and across the federation, it will serve as a platform for attracting new business stakeholders to the Service.

"The Service is embracing innovations, utilizing the power of data analytics to ensure the security and efficiency of Customs Operations.

"We will also consolidate on the achievements of the past, collaborate with our stakeholders and of course bring innovation to drive customs operations," CG Adewale emphasized.

To him, this year's conference will be graced by esteem guests including -Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima GCON, Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwolu and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun.

ACFFT brainstorm, calls for unity of purpose to curtail incessant activities at port

ACFFT brainstorm, calls for unity of purpose to curtail incessant activities at Port

ZAINAB JUNAID

Association of Concerned Freight Forwarders and Transporters (ACFFT) has urged members to form coalition and avoid bickering at each other in order to jointly resolve the ongoing incessant activities at Port Corridors.

The group which consist of Transport Owners, Freight forwarders, Association of Road Transport, among others affirmed that fighting a common cause will help jeopardize any hindrance of doing business easily at the Ports.

To them, "Injury to one is injury to all, for there is strength in unity. When they fight for a common interest and avoid fighting each other unnecessarily, the goal for their alliance will be achieved."

Speaking at a meeting jointly held on Thursday, November 29,2023, in Lagos, the group maintained that individual self interest aided the current systemic failure experienced at the port.

“Our inability to come together and fight for a common cause aided the systemic failure we are experiencing. With our various capacity and responsibilities, if we jointly refused to clear cargo, transporters will not have anything to convey within and outside the Port, the aftermath will be a massive congestion which will force government to intervene, address and yield to our call and also find a way to resolve the congestion problem. By doing this, we will not be frustrated out of business,” they said.

They see other problems such as security issues, loading charges, holding bay, customs increments, terminal operators, among other problems which confront them as secondary but resolved that united they stand divided they fall.

Speaking further, they called on government to regulate unions and associations as there are lots of irregularities emanating from the so called groups which affects the system.

“It is when we jointly achieve this that we can then ask of basic necessity to facilitate our business."

In their words, “It is a  well known fact that since the concessioning of the Port, the operators have incessantly extort us, business has not been favourable but when we jointly fight this cause we will achieve a desirable results.

"There are regulatory factors, maintenance fee, problem that is facing us now- the cost of diesel has skyrocketed. Between Abia and Maiduguri, someone posted on instablog that about three million naira and above is being charged, how do we resolve this. There is the issue of operational factors, that we faced too, we need to check our foundation problem too, let’s work together to achieve a common goal.

“We need to have a strong synergy so that we can resolve our issues, just as we did with MWUN, NATO, NAPTOP recently to achieve a common goal, we need to move along with the world that evolves and changes daily. We need to stand for each other. Let freight forwarders stand for truckers especially when customs seized their trucks. There was a case of a truck owner whose three trucks were auctioned for carrying illegal goods which he was not privy of. What if he did not have other means of survival, what would have happened to him. So there is need for us to strengthen our collaboration and stand for each other in order to achieve a common goal,” they maintained.

 

Nigeria Customs Chief Inaugurates new board members for Customs' Companies

 Nigeria Customs Chief Inaugurates new board members for Customs' Companies

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has inaugurated new board members for the four Customs companies.

Speaking during the inauguration held at Customs Headquarters, Abuja on Thursday November 30, 2023, CGC Adeniyi highlighted the companies to include -Customs Service Technical & Hanger Services Limited, Nigeria Customs Service Training & Hotels Limited, Nigeria Customs Service Hospital Limited, and Nigeria Customs Broadcast Network Limited.

He explained that registering these companies constitutes part of the agenda to improve the well-being of Officers. "The registration of the companies that have been mentioned constitutes part of our agenda to improve Officers' welfare, as their role in revenue generation and the implementation of fiscal policies of the government and the economic prosperity of the country cannot be overemphasized," he added.

On the growing concerns as an object of business ranging from aviation services, hospitals, healthcare, and broadcasting services, the Customs CG noted that board members are drawn from the relevant departments.

He specified that Officers and the representatives from the Ministry of Finance have been well acquainted with managing the affairs of the companies.

He disclosed that NCS is taking a cue from other ministries and parastatals of government that successfully engage in these ventures and hopes that the newly inaugurated board will nurture the companies to be stable and profit-oriented.

He affirmed, "Nigeria Customs Services' Technical and Hanger Service Limited shall be chaired by ACG AO Alajogun, Nigeria Customs Service Training and Hotels Limited - chaired by ACG Dappa-Williams, Nigeria Customs Service Hospital Limited is headed by ACG Ibrahim Alfa, and Comptroller Kamal Muhammad to head Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network Limited."

He acknowledged that representatives from the Ministry of Finance are Members and representatives from the Directorate of Legal Services serve as the Secretaries to the companies.

He further charged the board members to see to the effective management of these companies and be dogged in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities.

He said, "I wish to charge members of the boards of these different companies to see to the effective management of the companies and to be focused on discharging their duties and responsibilities. You are assured of my support and guidance at all times.”