Rice Farmers Say Smuggling Will Hinder Success Of Rice Importation Policy

Chairman, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), South-West zone, Mr Olusegun Atho, has said that unless smuggling is tackled, the current policy on imported rice will yield no result.
He identified smuggling as the major factor that would hinder any ban on the imported commodity, just as it had adverse effect on local rice production.
According to him, “Government needs to come out and deal with the issue of smuggling, in order to encourage local growers.''
The Federal Government recently announced the plan to ban rice importation by 2014, in order to develop local production of the commodity.
But, Atho said in Lagos on Wednesday that government needed to provide incentives to farmers to become self-sufficient in rice production.

Delta Says Work’ll Soon Commence On $20 Billion Ogidigben EPZ

The Delta Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Mr Omamofe Pirah, yesterday announced that work on the Ogidigben Export Processing Zone, a joint-venture between the Federal Government and the Delta Government, would commence soon.
Pirah made the announcement in Asaba while presenting his mid-term report.
According to the commissioner, the export processing zone, estimated to cost about $20 billion (about N3.12 trillion), is located in the Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta.
He said that the EPZ would house a gas hub, a petrol-chemical plant, a methanol plant, a fertiliser plant, a seaport, a five-star hotel, banks and about 5,000 housing units.
The commissioner said that about 400 hectares of land, of the total 2,800 hectares acquired for the project, had been cleared.
He said also that the stakeholders have met and agreed to cooperate and build a viable export processing zone.
Pirah said that the project would create employment and contribute to the development of the state, the region and the nation.

THREE MONTHS AFTER KILLING12 PIRATES ON BOARD:

Chief of the Naval Staff; Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba.       

Navy Concludes Investigation On Hijacked MT NORTE Vessel

About three months after killing 12 pirates who had hijacked an oil tanker; MT Norte, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, said yesterday that  the Nigerian Navy had concluded investigation on the suspects apprehended in connection with the hijacked vessel.

Ezeoba made this known to newsmen during his 2013 Annual Inspection tour of some facilities of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta.

He said the four suspected sea pirates would soon be handed over to the appropriate quarters for prosecution.

The vessel was salvaged by five naval gunboats and NNS OBULA from the Central and Western Naval Command on Aug. 17.

In the rescue operation, 12 out of the 16 sea pirates were allegedly killed in a gun duel and four others were arrested.

Maersk Line, Others Rescues Lillypond Terminal Back To Life

 ·   Stakeholders Say Terminal Now Bubbling

There are fresh indications that port concessionaires; Lillypond Container Terminal Limited, which had announced intention of closing down its operations as a result of protracted losses, may have had a rethink, as shipping giant; Maesk Line in collaboration with other shipping lines has resumed stemming of containers to the terminal.

Shipping Position Daily investigations revealed that Maersk Line, as well as Pacific International Lines (PIL) were among the shipping companies that have been keeping hope going for operators at the terminal by stemming enough containers to the terminal to boost its operations.

Speaking with our correspondent at the terminal in Ijora Lagos yesterday, a member of the Presidential Task Force of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Mr. Emeka Chidiaka confirmed that at a stakeholders meeting held with the terminal operator, a decision was taken to keep activities going at the terminal.

Sacked Govt Agencies Return To Onne Port

Even though the Federal Government has reduced the number of agencies operating in the nation's seaports from 14 to 7, findings  revealed that about four of the sacked agencies still operate at the Onne port in Rivers State.
Some of the returnee agencies that were visible at the port are: Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Port Quarantine Services, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Shipping Position Daily correspondents at Onne port were told by an official of SON that there is a letter from the presidency which directed them to operate at the port.
The SON official (name withheld) also noted that the Onne port is not as busy as the Lagos ports; therefore there should be proper scrutiny of cargoes at the port.

“Freight Forwarders Will No Longer Be Held Liable For Importers’ Under-declaration”---Custom CG

The Nigeria Custom Service has said that freight forwarders will no longer be arrested for the short comings of their importers, especially as it concerns under-declaration of cargoes discovered on customs examination.

Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Dikko Inde Abdullahi gave the assurance in Lagos yesterday during a sensitization programme for Tin Can Island Port stakeholders on the newly developed Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) by the customs for the purpose of clearing cargoes from the port.

Dikko who was represented by Head of ICT Unit of the customs, Deputy Controller Bashar Yussuf assured that gone were the days where clearing agents will be arrested and prosecuted for wrong declaration of cargo by the importer.

He assured that once the customs has fully taken over destination inspection of cargoes at the port by 2014, the practice is going to be abolished. According to him, all the freight forwarder needed to do is to present the owner of the documents and the consignment to the custom service.

American Rescuers and Chinese Seafarer Receive IMO Award for Bravery at Sea 2013

American rescuers and a Chinese seafarer have been presented with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea 2013, during a special ceremony held on 25 November 2013 at IMO Headquarters in London.

Aviation Survival Technician Second Class Randy J. Haba and Aviation Survival Technician Second Class Daniel J. Todd of the United States Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, were nominated by the Government of the United States, for responding to a distress alert from HMS Bounty, during the pre-dawn hours of 29 October 2012, and overcoming the effects of cold, fatigue and ingesting sea water to deliver 14 crew members of HMS Bounty to safety, during Hurricane Sandy.

FG To Review Rice Tariff – Committee

 There is a strong indication] that the Federal Government may have a rethink about the high tariff on rice.
This indication was given b y the Chairman, Presidential Committee on Trade Malpractice, Alhaji Dahiru Ado-Kurawa, who said Government would soon review tariff on rice, to tackle smuggling and revenue loss.
Ado-Kurawa said  in Lagos that the planned downward review was aimed at reducing the level of smuggling of the commodity from Benin Republic.
He observed that the Federal Government introduced the rice policy of 110 per cent duty and levy in January, to boost local  rice production.
“The Federal Government will likely adjust the policy because it has escalated the influx of smuggled rice from neighbouring countries.
“Benin Republic is one of the highest importers of parboiled rice, the country that ordinarily imports about 230,000 tonnes  per annum.

Police Raid Okada Riders In Apapa



Officials and trucks of the Lagos State Task Force which raided
Apapa yesterday in search of commercial motorcycles
 popularly called Okada

The Lagos State Environmental Task Force yesterday raided cyclist operating at the Tin Can Island Port for operating in a prohibited area.

Even though the actual number of motorcycles seized could not be ascertained by Shipping Position Daily, our correspondent however spotted a truck load of seized motorcycles at the scene.

It was gathered that the task force had been invited by the Nigerian Ports Authority which had earlier banned operation of motorcyclists popularly known as "okada" within the port area.

Our correspondent noted that the raid at the port yesterday however led to port users getting stranded at the popular Custom Long Room because according to sources "the tricycles (Maruwa) shuttling within the Tin Can Port are not enough to transport operators"

Again, Customs CG Redeploys Areas Controller

The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service;
Alhaji Dikko Abdulahi Inde 

The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service; Alhaji Dikko Abdulahi Inde  has again effected  another round redeployment of areas controller.
A total of 18 officers have been moved in the exercise which caught many unawares yesterday.

A document sighted yesterday by Shipping Position Daily in the Port Harcourt port command of the service revealed that seven controllers in Lagos command were affected in the shake up.

In the Lagos commands, Comptroller Egbudin Willy has been moved from Lilypond command to the Seme border Command, while Othman Saleh who was the heads the Seme Command has been moved to Tariff and Trade (T and T) at the Customs headquarters in Abuja.

Meanwhile Isah T.M who was in charge of T and T now takes over from Willy Egbudin at Lilypond command.

Others affected in the shake-up include: Ukaigbe P.C who has been transferred from Post Clearance Audit (PCA) in Zone ‘A’ to the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) command while Abubakar B now takes charge of PCA.

Stakeholders Advocate For Creation Of Coast Guard

Following the incessant attack, kidnapping and killing of seafarers on the nation's territorial water, a renewed case has been made to the federal government by stakeholders for the creation of a Coast Guard to serve as para-military organ in the fight to secure the waterways and coast.
The stakeholders reiterated that NIMASA as a maritime agency of government is saddled with too many responsibilities and there is the need to create an outfit that can take the responsibility of the agency and police our waters.
According to them, Coast Guard can serve as the maritime security agency, and will be saddled with the responsibility of curbing all illegal activities that rae currently very rampant at sea.
Registrar, Freight Forwarding Academy Nigeria (FFAN),Mazi Joseph Anabaroanye told Shipping Position Daily,last week in Lagos that the Act which established NIMASA shows that it has a lot of responsibilities, thus an outfit should be created to address safety on the nation's territorial waters.
Anabaroanye said that the rate of  attacks on seafarers is alarming,  therefore it needs to be addressed through the creation of a para-military out.

NIMASA Set To Launch On-Line Portal

Baring any last minute change, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is expected to launch its newly created on-line data base this week.
Developed by an indigenous firm, the new platform incorporates all aspects of the agency’s activities and it is expected to serve as a first-hand solution provider for all enquiries about the agencies operations.
The elated chief executive officer of the firm who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent on Friday that it is the first of its kind in the history of the apex maritime regulatory agency.

FEW DAYS TO HANDOVER:

Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service; Alh. Abdullahi Dikko Inde
 and Nigeria Minister of Finance; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

FG Under Pressure Over Destination Inspection Contract
Stakeholders Skeptical Over PAAR, Trade Hub

 

There are grave uncertainties over the expected take-over next week of the destination inspection scheme by the Nigeria Customs Service.
There are anxieties that government may again bow to the renewed pressure being mounted by lobbyists for a further extension of the contract of the four destination inspection service providers to 2014 fiscal year.
The three service providers are: Globalscan Systems Limited, SGS, and Cotecna Destination Inspection Nigeria Limited and Webb Fontaine.
Sources close to the various interests  in Lagos and Abuja confirmed that no final decision has been taken about the June 1 to November 30, 2013 contract extension which was earlier granted by the Federal Government  through the Minister of Finance; Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala.

Maritime Academy, Oron Plans To Acquire Ship

The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) in Oron, Akwa Ibom, says it has concluded plans to acquire a 300-man capacity ship to train cadets of the institution.
Rector of the institution;  Mr Joshua Okpo, disclosed this yesterday  when members of the Akwa Ibom Council of Correspondents Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) visited him.
He said that his mission at the academy was to train world-class professionals for the maritime sector of the economy.
Okpo said that his administration was striving to provide adequate infrastructure to position the institution as an ideal academic community.
According to him, the academy has achieved 24-hour electricity supply and constant supply of potable water.
He said that the institution had embarked on expansion of facilities which included development of staff housing estate, standard swimming pool, market and places of worship.

Clearing Agent Charged With N900,000 Fraud

A Clearing Agent, Yinka Akande, who allegedly obtained N900, 000 under false pretences, yesterday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates' Court.
Fifty-two-year-old Akande, who resides at No. 6, Yinka Akande St., Edu Igbesa, Ogun, is standing trial on a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Insp Chinalu Uwadione, said that the accused obtained the sum from Mr Kelly Aburime on the pretext of clearing a container of goods for him.

Customs CG Vows To Prosecute Officers On Highways

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service;
Abdullahi Dikko Inde.

• Promises To Integrate Terminal Charges On Trade Hub

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Dikko Inde Abdullahi has assured that the service is ready to fish out and prosecute officers who engage in stopping of dully-cleared containers from the ports on any highway in Nigeria.

Head of Customs ICT centre, Deputy Controller Bashir Yusuf dropped the hint yesterday at a stakeholders meeting to sensitize importers, exporters and freight forwarders on the new trade platforms developed by the service namely; the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) the Nigerian Trade Hub as well as the Single Window platform.

While speaking on some of the provisions of the PAAR which the service intends to deploy into use from January 1, 2014, Bashir said that any consignment that has passed through the green channel and dully cleared by customs will not be stopped by any officer at checkpoints on highways.

Nigeria Imports N400Billion Vehicles Annualy Since 2008 – NAC

Still basking in the euphoria of the newly-introduced National Automobile Policy, which favours indigenous auto assembly plants, director general of the National Automotive Council (NAC); Mr Aminu Jalal has lamented the almost comatose nature of the industry in Nigeria.
He said yesterday that, Nigerian’s penchant for purchase of imported vehicles has been causing the nation about N400Billion annually since 2008.
Jalal said that data from the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers’ Association indicted that installed capacity of the Nigerian Automotive Industry surpassed annual vehicular demand.
“Annual installed capacity in assembling is 150,000 units, valued at N550 billion.
“A total of 70,000 new and 200,000 used vehicles, valued at over N400 billion, are imported annually since 2008.

Nigeria's Maritime Piracy Ransoms Spiral Upwards

With claims that a $2m ransom was paid to release two US crew last week there are increased fears that this will serve to encourage other groups to kidnap for ransom in the Gulf of Guinea.

EFCC Arraigns Man For Forgery Of Crude Oil Export Documents

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday arraigned one Franklin Uche before Justice G.K. Olotu of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja on a six-count charge bordering on forgery and conspiracy to defraud.
The accused allegedly forged Export Clearance Permit, a document usually issued by the Ministry of Trade and Investment, and which is a major requirement for the lifting of crude oil.
The offence is contrary to Section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and Section 1 (2)(c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M.17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

Oando Constructs Private Jetty In Apapa

Leading downstream operator in the oil and gas sector;  Oando Terminals Ltd. has confirmed said it had started constructing a jetty in Apapa to provide more efficient platform to deliver petroleum products to oil marketers.

The company said in a statement in Lagos issued by its spokesman, Mr Johnson Azuara-Kelvin, that the jetty would serve oil marketers currently using Moman Jetty.

It said that work on the facility was nearing completion.

Oando’s disclosure however comes about two weeks after Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA) branch of the Senior Staff Association of Communications Transport and Corporation (SSACTAC) condemned  moves by another petroleum product marketing firm; NIPCO Plc to set up a 1.5kilometre petroleum pipeline tank farm facilities from the popular Waziri jetty.

The SSACTAC had also raised the alarm of any attempt by the oil and gas firm to establish a tank farm at NPA dockyard facilities, in Apapa which, according to them, has the tendency to impede free flow vessels calling at the ports.

Clearing Agent In Court Over Alleged N1.1m Fraud

A clearing agent, Ifeanyi Anosike, 41, who allegedly stole N1.1 million belonging to his customer, was yesterday charged before an Ebute-Meta Chief Magistrates' Court in Lagos.
Anosike of No. 5, Ayomide St., Off Highman Road, Ota in Ogun, is facing a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Asu Feddy, told the court that the incident took place between June 13 and July 21 at No.24, Awowede St., Surulere, Lagos.
He said that the accused obtained the money from the complainant under the pretext of helping him to clear a vehicle from the port.
According to the prosecutor, the accused collected the money from the complainant but did not deliver the vehicle to him.
He said that the accused disappeared with the money, but was later arrested by the police.
The accused is charged under Sections 285 and 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

American Security Expert Says Ransom Payout Will Prompt More West African Piracy Attacks

Claims by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) that a $2m ransom was paid to release two US crew last week will only encourage other groups to kidnap for ransom, C-Level Maritime Risks founder Michael Frodl has warned.
The master and the chief engineer were seized from C-Retriever, an Edison Chouest-owned offshore supply vessel off Brass, on October 23.
On November 12 the US Department of State confirmed that the two men had been released but refused to divulge details, refusing to say whether a ransom was paid.
However, MEND said in a statement that a $2m ransom was paid for the men’s release.

Freight Forwarders Evicted From Lagos Airport

...Custom Says It Has Reduced Clustering

Months after the Federal Airports Authority (FAAN) directed freight forwarders to evacuate from the popular NAHCO complex at the airport, the agents have finally been pushed out to a permanent site provided for them by the airport management.

Speaking with Shipping Position Daily correspondent at the airport on Monday, image maker of the airport command of the Nigeria Custom Service, Mrs Thelma Williams said that the move has reduced the ever-present crowd at the NACHO-Hajj Camp complex.

Thelma told our correspondent that, contrary to what was obtainable in the past where freight forwarders loiter around the SAHCOL and NAHCO warehouses, they are now allowed into the premises only when they have genuine transactions.

FG Increases Tariff On Imported Vehicles

CG  Customs, Alh. Abdullahi Inde Dokko
and Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

 • Grants Auto Manufactures Duty-free Concession
• Operatives, Others Keep Mum

Even though there is no official confirmation from Customs yet, the much-expected take-off of Federal Government’s new automobile policy may have taken-off, following a circular for a review of tariffs and levies payable on some categories of imported vehicles.
Sources at the Customs headquarters confirmed to our correspondent yesterday that, indeed there is a circular from the Minister of Finance ordering an upward review of revenue payable on imported ‘fully built unit’ (FBU) cars.
The sources however hinted that the circular, has not immediacy attached to it. They told our correspondent yesterday that, it may not take effect until January and that it is probably to serve as an advice for importers who want to open new Letters of Credit.

NIMASA Fingered In Alleged Payment Of $2Million Ransom On Kidnapped American Sailors

DG NIMASA: Ziakede Akpobolokemi and
MEND LEADERS: Henry Okah

Even though the government of the United State of America has said it did not pay any ransom for the release of its kidnapped citizens who were abducted in Nigeria,  but who were freed last week, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has alleged that the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Administration Agency (NIMASA) paid part of the money used to secure the release of the kidnapped American sailors.

The militant group which had in the early days of the American hostage issue, claimed to have a link to the captives, however opened up on  how the Americans regained their freedom.
 In a statement issued Saturday night by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, MEND said the NIMASA contributed a large chunk of the $2million demanded by the militant group.

“Following the due process, a ransom of 2 million US dollars in cash was paid, with a larger percentage of it coming from an embarrassed Nigerian Maritime and Safety Administration Agency (NIMASA)”, the militant group alleged.

Safety and Security on Nigerian Coast: The NIMASA /Navy Alternative

One of the many reasons that were adduced to justify the 2006 merger of the National Maritime Authority (NMA) with the Joint Maritime Labour Industrial Council (JOMALIC) was the need to tighten security on Nigerian waters.
Hence by August 1, 2006, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) was born, to among other things provide regulations related to Nigerian shipping, maritime labour and coastal waters. The Agency also undertakes inspections and provides search and rescue services.
It is arguable that, NIMASA has strived to live up to its ‘Mission Statement’, which is: “To achieve safe, secure shipping, cleaner oceans and enhance maritime capacity in line with best global practices towards Nigeria’s economic development.”

Lagos Governor; Babatunde Fashola Blasts NIMASA Over Abandoned Vessels

 ...Says Agency Not Alive To Its Responsibilities

 

Coming on the heels of marine accidents as a result of abandoned vessels on the shorelines and coastlines of Lagos State, Governor of the State; Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has lambasted the apex maritime regulatory agency in Nigeria; the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for allegedly failing to live up to its responsibilities

Fashola dropped the verdict while fielding questions from newsmen on the sidelines of the just- concluded 13th meeting of the National Council on Transport (NCT) which held in Lagos last week.

The Governor lamented that it costs the state government millions of Naira to excavate abandoned vessels from Lagos shorelines and coastlines, a function which ordinarily should be done by the maritime safety agency.

According to the Governor, due to the danger they portend, the state had called for the vessels to be towed away, but that there was no response from anywhere.

Furore Over Missing Seafarers Aboard Sunk Oil Tanker; MT VICTORY

• Parents Petition NIMASA DG, IG Police, Say, “Our Children Did Not Die”
• Vessel Owners Says: “We are doing something about it”
• Ship’s  Capt Says:  “They were swept-off by the turbulence”

Apparently pushed to the wall about the mysterious disappearance of their sons who were on board an indigenous ship; MT Victory 1 which sank in September off Lagos, two families have raised eyebrows and written petitions to the Director General, Nigerian  Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Inspector General of Police.
The petitioners gave the identities of the sailors who are presumably missing  as: 2nd Engineer; Olatunde Abiodun, Electrician; Jerry Eyang and Able Seaman;  Godwin Odeka, who were among the 16 crew who were supposed to be on board the ill-fated tanker before  turbulence swept it away on September 21, 2013.
In the three-page petition dated October 21, 2013,  a copy of which was made available to Shipping Position Daily, the embittered parents alleged that the owners of the ship; Multitrade Limited were negligent and nonchalant. 

Piracy On The Rise In West Africa --- Report

•         Cost $1.2Billion in 2012

Piracy off the West African coastline has escalated dramatically in the past year, costing the shipping and offshore industry $1.2 billion, says Maritime and Coastal Security Africa.
The organisation says this year 851 seafarers have been attacked and pirates are currently holding 589 hostages.
It further reports that piracy off the Horn of Africa costs the industry between $7 billion and $12 billion each year, while illegal fishing off the African coastline costs the industry $1 billion a year.
An estimated 600 maritime and naval experts will meet in Cape Town from 25 to 27 November to focus on institutional and technical solutions to piracy during the annual Maritime and Coastal Security Africa conference and exhibition.

Customs Uncovers New Smuggling Route

The  Customs Area Controller, Western Marine Command;  Zakka Audu, said it has identified Kese, a coastal community in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State, as the newest route for smugglers into Ogun State.
Audu disclosed that the command in two days seized goods worth N12 million in the area.
According to him, the first seizure on November 9 consisted of 1,225 cartons of frozen poultry products and 55 bags of rice.
“The duty paid value of the seized poultry products was N7.9 million, while rice was N614,000,” he explained.
He said that 200 cartons of frozen poultry products and 200 bags of rice valued at N1.3 million and N2.2 million respectively were seized on November 10.
“For that weekend alone, the command seized a total of 1,425 cartons of poultry products and 255 bags of rice, with a duty paid value of N12 million,” he said.

Transport Minister Allays Fears On Maritime Bills

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry Of Transport, Mr Nebolisa Emodi;
Minister Of Transport, Sen. Umar Idris And Gov. Babatunde Fashola Of Lagos
 At The 13th National Council On Transport In Lagos Yesterday.

Even as stakeholders have continued to  express apprehension about the delay in the passage of the various transport sector Bills currently before the National Assembly, the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar has assured that the Bills will soon be passed into law.
Umar gave the assurance during his keynote address at the 13th National Council on Transport (NCT) meeting held in Lagos yesterday.
The Minister assured that the National Council on Privatization (NCP) has approved and recommended four transport sector reform Bills to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) namely; The Ports and Harbour Bill, the Railway Bill, the National Transport Commission Bill, the National Inland Waterways Bill.
Umar said assured that the Attorney General of the Federation has already vetted the Bills and that they will be transmitted to the National Assembly upon approval by the FEC.

Customs Set To Sensitize Freight Forwarders On PAAR

The Nigeria Customs Service has reaffirmed its commitment to sensitising its officers and freight forwarders on the Pre Assessment Arrival Report (PAAR) and the new Single Window platform that will serve as replacements for destination inspection scheme expected to be taken over by the Customs in December.

Customs Area Controller (CAC)  of Tin Can Island Command of the Customs; Comptroller Zakari Jubrin  dropped the hint yesterday when members of the caretaker committee of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Tin Can port chapter paid him a courtesy visit in Lagos.

Talking specifically about the PAAR training request, the controller stated that, “concerning the PAAR and the Single Window platform about which freight forwarders have requested to be educated, I think we have that programme in place ".

Nigeria Is Losing Its Hub Centre Status----Stevedores

The Nigerian Association of Stevedoring Companies has said that Nigeria is gradually losing its hub status to neighboring African countries, due to policy somersault by the Federal Government.

President of the association, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola in an interview with Shipping Position Daily in Lagos yesterday lamented that millions of metric tonnes of cargoes that are supposed to come into Nigeria are presently finding their ways into ports of neighbouring countries.

He lamented that dockworkers are losing money because the cargoes are being trans-shipped from other countries from where they are now smuggled through the land borders into Nigeria, even as he noted that the maritime sector is one of the major engines that drives the Nigerian economy.

Transport Ministry Orders NPA To Include Retirees In National Pension Scheme

Succor has come the way of embattled 2006/2007 retirees of the Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA). The organisation has been directed by the ministry of transport to include the former employees who were retired between 2006 and 2007, into its pension scheme.
The good news followed a directive from the Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation.
The ex- workers who retired between 2006 and 2007 had on Oct0ber 3, 2013 protested their exclusion from the national pension scheme.
They  were demanding the payment of 10 per cent pension and gratuity from the NPA management for what they termed premature retirement.
But, in a letter dated November 6, 2013, the Ministry of Transport directed the NPA management to include the retired workers in the pension scheme.
The letter was signed by Mr Oqua Ete, Director, Human Resource Management, Ministry of Transport.

Kidnaped American sailors freed after being taken hostage off Nigeria coast

 

The two American sailors kidnapped last month off the coast of Nigeria have been freed, the US State Department confirmed.

The captain and chief engineer on the C-Retriever, an oil-supply vessel, were taken Oct. 23 from the 222-foot ship in the Gulf of Guinea.

NAGAFF Founder; Aniebonam Blasts Custom Officers Over PAAR

...Says CACs have not done enough sensitization

 

Even as the Nigeria Customs Service is warming up for take over of destination inspection duties from service providers by December 2013, Founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF); Dr. Boniface Aniebonam has lambasted the area controllers of the service’s various commands for not doing enough sensitization in their respective commands.

The Customs had earlier in the year developed the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) which it will be using for risk assessment of cargoes when it eventually takes over operation of Destination Inspection (DI).

Other tools developed by the customs are the Single Window Platform and the Nigerian Trade Hub.

Delta To Host Africa’s Largest Gas, Port City -- Gov Uduaghan



Delta state Governor, Dr Emmanuel  Uduaghan

Governor  of Delta State; Emmanuel Uduaghan has assured ofg a smooth take-off of the Industrial complex in Ogidigben, Warri South West Local Government Area of  the state, saying that the complex which will also incorporate a mega port will  be Africa’s largest industrial gas city.
The multi-billion dollars project would be located back to back with Escravos Gas To Liquid project, almost similar to the one being constructed by Chevron Nigeria Limited and expected to be completed in seven years.
The project, which will occupy a land space of over 2,800 hectares, will have among other things a refinery, a gas plant, a fertilizer processing plant and a petrochemical plant.
The plant, when completed and fully operational, is expected to provide employment for more than 200,000 persons of different skills and professional qualifications.

Typhoon Haiyan: Death Toll Continues To Rise

As at today (12 November), the death toll in Philippines has risen to at least 10,000 people killed due to Typhoon Haiyan, according to a senior police official.

 One of the worst hit areas was the coastal city of Tacloban, about 580 kilometres southeast of Manila.

PPP Has Produced Expansion Of Seaports Terminals And ICDs –FG

The federal government said that it has adopted a public private partnership, PPP, strategy for the provision of vital transport facilities.

The partnership has also produced the expansion of terminals, new facilities at seaports and Inland Container Depots (ICDs).

This was disclosed yesterday by the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transport, Engineer. Nebolisa Emodi at the flag- off of the technical session of the meeting of the 13th National Council of  Transport in Lagos tagged, "Transformation of transport infrastructure: catalyst for
social-economic growth."

He said, “the federal government is not only committed to the development of quality infrastructure, but is also mindful of the fact that its resources are inadequate to meet and bridge the current huge
infrastructure gaps without the participation of private sector."

AGAIN, NIMASA BATTLES NLNG:

• Says the NLNG Rescue  MT Symphony   Claim Is False

Less than three months after its row with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), indications emerged over the weekend that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) may again be up in arms against the liquefied gas producer and exporter.
The apex maritime regulator agency said in a statement last Saturday that a report in a section of the media purporting that its personnel were rescued out of distress by NLNG was false.
  According to NIMASA, the story which stated that,   “NLNG rescue NIMASA men from drowning”, and which indicated that   “the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited rescued NIMASA officials and Navy personnel on board a tugboat, MT Bori, was not only false and misleading but obvious to any discerning mind that it was premeditated to embarrass the Agency”

Presidency Says Sacked Agencies Still Lobbying To Return To Port

• Sacked Agencies Accuse Customs, Terminal Operators

Following the reduction in the number of government agencies operating at the seaport from 14 to seven by the Federal Government, the Presidency has said that many of the sacked agencies are still trying to find their ways back into the port.
Some of the sacked agencies have however lampooned officers of the Nigeria Custom Service as well as port terminal operators for marginalizing other agencies and shielding them from carrying out their duties, even when they are invited into the port.
Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Monitoring and Evaluation, as well as the Chairman, Implementation Committee on Port Reforms, Prof Sylvester Monye gave the revelation last week at a Custom retreat in Asaba, Delta State.
Professor Monye stated that, since the approval to reduc

TRAGEDY: Pirates Kill Junior Brother Of Ex-Merchant Navy President; Capt Thomas Kemewerigha

Pirates operating on the Niger Delta  waters have killed  Engineer Williams Kemewerigha, younger brother to the former national president of the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association; Captain Thomas Kemewerigha.
The seafarer met his untimely death penultimate week when sea robbers intercepted the vessel on which he was an engineer around the Bakassi Rivers in Cross Rivers state, kidnapped the late engineer and an Indian captain. Both of them were held captive for days.
Our correspondent confirmed last week that the late Williams Kemewerigha died during a boat mishap in the process of negotiating the ransom that was demanded by the abductors.
Shipping Position Daily confirmed last week that the late Williams Kemewerigha was 46 years old, married and had three children.

First Ship Calls at DP World London Gateway

Britain’s new global shipping port yesterday welcomed its first scheduled vessel, the ‘MOL Caledon’ from South Africa. After more than a decade of planning and construction across three square miles of  development, DP World London Gateway deep-sea port is now open, providing British exporters and importers with a more efficient way to ship globally, at less cost.

The ‘MOL Caledon’ was welcomed by DP World Chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Vice Chairman Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, Group CEO Mohammed Sharaf, Chairman of MOL Liner Junichiro  Ikeda, and shipper representatives JFH Hillebrand MD David Mawer and Chingford Fruit MD Gavin McNally, together with other senior executives.

Customs Controller Dares Lagos-Badagry Expressway Smugglers









The Comptroller-General of Customs,
Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko

Apparently buoyed by its recent achievements, the Apapa, Lagos-based Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has vowed to up the ante and pursue smugglers who take advantage of the strategic and ever-busy Lagos/Badagry expressway to perpetuate smuggling.
 The Western Marine command with its headquarters in Lagos covers coastal areas of Igbokoda in Ondo State, Yekeme, Badagry and Idiroko, all in the South-West.
 The command area controller; Mr Zakka Audu disclosed yesterday that it would soon launch an ``offensive” against smugglers on the route.
 The Area Controller, , said new measures were being put in place to checkmate the nefarious activities of the smugglers.

Reps To Investigate Activities Of Concessionaires At Nigerian Ports

Speaker, House of Representatives of Nigeria; Aminu Tambuwal
and MD, NPA; Malam Habib Abdullahi.       

The House of Representatives yesterday mandated its Committees on Privatisation and Commercialisation, Public procurement, Commerce, Marine Transport and Customs to investigate activities of concessionaires at Nigerian ports.

This resolution emanated from a motion moved by Rep. Jerry Alagbaoso which was adopted without debate.

The concessioning of Nigerian seaports through the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), and handing over of the certificates of operations to the concessionaires was carried out in 2006.

NPA Senior Staff Kick Against NIPCO Move To Set Up Farm At Dockyard

The Senior Staff Association, Communications Transport and Corporation (SSACTAC) NPA branch has condemned moves by a petroleum product marketing firm; NIPCO Plc to link its facilities to the Waziri jetty, through the construction of a 1.5kilometre petroleum pipeline.

SSACTAC has also raised the alarm over any attempt by the oil and gas firm to establish a tank farm at the popular NPA dockyard facilities, in Apapa which, according to them, has the tendency to impede free flow vessels calling at the ports.

President of the association; Comrade Umar Jimoh Omeiza while briefing journalists in Lagos yesterday described  the move as mischievous and  allegedly being backed by some political interest, who are trying to thwart the effort of the president of the country at enhancing the nation’s maritime sector potentials and capabilities.

Umar also alerted that the move to set up the facility will lead loss of jobs of about 500 persons, in addition to the environmental implications.

IBAKA DEEP SEAPORT: Despite Abandonment By FG, Gov. Akpabio Says Akwa Ibom Deep Seaport Is It

Less than two weeks after Shipping Position Daily reported that the Ibaka Deep sea port is a ruse, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom; the host state has said that the completion of the deep seaport, by the Federal Government, would facilitate trade and investment.
He made the observation in Uyo yesterday at a three-day workshop organised for senior journalists.
The governor, who was represented by Mr Aniekan Umanah, the Commissioner of Information and Communication, pledged that his administration would continue to promote trade and investment.
According to the Governor,``the seaport project is of major concern for the government and people of Akwa Ibom, we will continue to partner with the Federal Government to achieve its objective”.
Akpabio stressed that the seaport’s construction would open windows of opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea.
``The port will serve all countries in the Gulf of Guinea and it will also lessen the burden of our ports in Lagos,’’ he said.

ODUAH GATE: Okonjo-Iweala Denies Duty Waiver On Bullet-Proof Cars

The Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in Abuja has said that no waiver was granted by her office  for bullet-proof cars.
Okonjo-Iweala, also the Coordinating Minister for Economy, said this at the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation investigating the two bullet-proof cars by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
She said the only waiver granted by her office was for the Lagos State Government to purchase 300 units of cars for Eko 2012 games.
``On June 20, 2012, Lagos State applied for a waiver for assorted vehicles of 300 units of cars and it was granted, but no waivers was granted for bullet-proof cars,’’ she said.

FG Lost N105Billion To Ban On Rice Importation ----Customs

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS); Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko, has hinted that the current unfavourable policy on rice importation has so far  caused the Federal Government a revenue loss of about N105Billion.
He disclosed this on Monday in Abuja, when he appeared before the Senate Joint Committees on Finance and Appropriation monitoring the implementation of the 2013 budget.

The N105Billion was part of a larger loss in revenue of about N603bn, all due to unfavourable government policies.

PICOMSS Man; Major Lancelot Anyanya Takes Over As Oil Spill Board Chair

Erstwhile Secretary of now-defunct Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and Security (PICOMSS); Major Lancelot Anyanya has made a dramatic return to limelight following the inauguration of the board of National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), which he chairs in Abuja yesterday.
The board of NOSDRA was inaugurated by the supervising Minister of Ministry of Environment, Mr Darius Ishaku, who also stated that members of  board of the strategic agency owed their appointment to  President Goodluck Jonathan.
The Port Harcourt, Rivers state-based agency was created by the Federal Government in 2006 to check oil spill through, containment, recovery, and remediation/restoration. It was also described as government’s “strategy for preventing loss of lives, assets and natural resources”

CONGESTION: 4000 Containers To Be Transferred To Ikorodu Terminal

The Federal Government is set to transfer at least 4000 unclaimed containers from the various terminals in Lagos ports to Ikorodu, in what has become an annual ritual meant to decongest the terminals.
Shipping Position Daily   confirmed that already a ministerial committee, drawn from both the Ministry of transport, the Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA) and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) as well as some interests have been constituted and have concluded work on how to move the containers.
It was also learnt that the exercise would gulp about N200Million, which is expected to be provided by NPA, and which is expected to also supervise the transfer.
Our correspondent was told last week that the bulk of the containers are to be evacuated from the Tin Can Island Container Terminal (TICT); a terminal which has been at the receiving end of the port congestion.

FG Goes After New-PDP Interests In Shipping

• Bars ships from berthing at some jetties  and terminal
• Diverts ships from unfriendly terminals

There are indications that the festering intra party feud which is tearing the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) may have reared its head in the nation’s maritime industry, especially in the ports, where some terminals and jetties are being denied vessels.
Shipping Position Daily investigations revealed that some terminals and jetties in both Lagos and Port Harcourt may have become first victims of the high powered politics of survival and acrimony among top echelons of the ruling party.
While our correspondents in Lagos learnt that some private jetties that had been farmed out to party faithful and which had been enjoying prime patronage are now being denied cargoes, our correspondents in Port Harcourt and Onne; both in Rivers state uncovered at least two cases of outright diversion of ships from a terminal in Port Harcourt to another one in Onne.

Navy Says Oil Theft On The Decline

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Dele Ezeoba, has said that the war on crude oil theft was yielding results, with a general decline.
Ezeoba said this in a keynote address at the Naval Information Management Workshop in Lagos, noted that the achievements recorded could not have been possible without the unalloyed commitment of officers and ratings.
The CNS who was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Ibok Ibas, said the theme of the workshop was apt, considering the unique role of the media in its support.
``Our recent efforts and the resultant gains in combating illegalities in our waters confer a duty on our friends in the media to generate the much-needed public awareness of what the service is doing in ensuring sanity in our maritime environment.

PAN MD Advocates Total Ban On Vehicle Importation In 2014

Even as government has assured that there will be no outright ban on importation of vehicles into the country, the Managing Director, Peugeot Automobile of Nigeria (PAN), Mr Ibrahim Boyi, has called on the Federal Government to impose total ban on importation of cars.
Boyi made the call in Kaduna on Wednesday.
He urged the Federal Government to fortify the porous borders for the growth of local auto industry.
He said that if the measure was put in place, it would enable the local industry to compete favourably with foreign counterparts in the global market.
``The development of the country’s automobile industry is hinged on proactive measures towards fortifying the porous borders.
``The choice of leaving wide our border will definitely affect the country in the long run to develop its own automobile industry.’’