Friday 28 February 2014

IPMAN Blames Fuel Scarcity Port Security Agents 1

The Group Managing Director,  NNPC; Mr. Andrew Yakubu. and
The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority;  Mallam Habib Abdullahi
...As 5 ships loaded with 105MT of petroleum products await clearance

Amidst spreading petroleum products scarcity across the nation, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has accused various port security operatives of unduly delaying products-laden ships from discharging their cargoes.

The association consequently alleged that the emerging scarcity of petrol being experienced across the country was as a result of delayed clearance of ships laden with fuel on the high sea by the agencies.

IPMAN consequently, in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday that the lingering fuel scarcity in the country might continue until when the security operatives improve on their clearance processes of ships.

Thursday 27 February 2014

ANLCA President; Olayiwola Shittu, Declares Second Term Ambition

The National President; ANLCA;
 Prince Olayiwola Shittu.       
...Says 'One Good Term Deserves Another'
 
Even though he had initially kept mum on his intention to run for a second term, President of Association of Nigeria Licensed Custom Agents; Prince Olayiwola Shittu yesterday officially declared his interest for a second term in office.

Shittu, whose tenure of four years will end in April 2014, is seeking re-election for another term of four years.

While speaking at a two-day sensitization forum on the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) put together by the Airport Chapter of ANLCA, he appealed to clearing agents at the airport to key into his second term ambition.

Wednesday 26 February 2014

Imported Rice: FG Recants, May Slash Import Duty, Levy

There are strong indications that the Federal Government may soon slash the duty and levy that were imposed on importation of rice.
The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,  told a gathering of members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), in Lagos  on Monday that she and her counterpart in the Agriculture and  Rural Development Ministry, Dr Akinwumi Adesina had already commenced consultations on the issue..
The minister said at the interactive session which was organised by MAN that it had become necessary to review the 100 per cent duty and 10 per cent levy on rice because it had created significant challenges even though it had also led to a marked increase in rice output in the country and created a significant number of jobs mostly in the northern part of the country.

Tuesday 25 February 2014

FG Says, New Policy Won't Affect Tokunbo Cars

The  Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Mr. Olusegun Aganga
The Federal Government has assured that the automobile policy will not affect importation of used vehicles into the country.
The  reassurance was given last weekend when the  Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga inspected  the Peugeot Automotive Nigeria (PAN) car assembly plant in Kaduna.
He assured that government was no interested in imposing a total ban on importation of used vehicles, popularly known as tokunbo into the country.
The minister added that the federal government had studied what was done in Pakistan, India, and in South Africa, adding: "It is normal that in most countries they ban the importation of tokunbo cars because that will help the demand for locally made cars."
"We must work towards providing alternative cars before we even consider placing a ban on tokunbo cars. So, in Nigeria, we have not banned the importation of fairly used vehicles yet. If we slow down the demand, it will slow down the pace of growth."

Monday 24 February 2014

Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Badagry: The Phantom School!



 Last week, the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi announced that the agency had been directed   to cede the land on which it was building the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Badagry. The property was returned to its original owner; the Administrative and Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON).

The story of the ‘phantom Academy’ actually started in 2007, when the then President; Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was cajoled into believing that it would help actualize the dream of the ruling party; PDP to capture Lagos state.

By fiat, ASCON was ordered to cede a portion of its expansive premises to NIMASA for the purpose of establishing the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Badagry.  The college grudgingly ceded a corner of its phase 2; tucked in between the staff school and the hostel to the maritime academy. Even though, ASCON grumbled and discreetly protested, no one listened.

Shortly after, contractors moved to site, and bush clearing started and work commenced. But the story of MAN, Badagry ended as soon as the world was made to believe its existence and Lagos indigenes commenced jubilation.

Less than one year after the much-publicized establishment of the academy, it was abandoned, albeit after more than N300Million has been sunk.

I had in 2007 investigated the fate that befell MAN, Badagry and discovered that the contracts were awarded to cronies of the PDP, who shortly after the foundation was laid, abandoned the site.

Even the contact addresses of the contractors were discovered to be shops at Idumota and Simpson Street, on Lagos Island.

Since 2008, the site has been abandoned, even with the two buildings that were put up through funds provided by NIMASA and the Education Trust Fund (ETF).

A few factors culminated in the death of MAN, Badagry, one of which is deceit on the part of government. From all indications, the academy was a political carrot that was dangled in the face of Lagosians to win elections. Secondly, the academy was only contorted as an avenue to siphon money and spread the goodies to the ‘boys’.

Predictably, whatever was left of the dream died with the exit of Dr Ade Dosunmu as the DG of NIMASA. His successors (ignorantly) saw Dosunmu (a Lagos indigene) as pursuing an agenda to bring the Maritime Academy to his own people.

The idea of the carrot called MAN, Badagry came in at the peak of the influence of Chief Olabode George as the Deputy Chairman of the ruling PDP. George, himself a Lagosian, who is desirous of an inroad into the South West, had no problem selling it to the then-President Obasanjo, who also ordered both NIMASA and ETF to release some funds.

In the real sense of it, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Badagry was never intended to stand. It remains a phantom.

The speed at which NIMASA complied with the directive to vacate the land, may suggest that it really never wanted that ‘burden’. According to the DG, it received the cede order on January 24, and by last week, it had fully given up and complied fully.

AT LAST: FG Confirms Shippers’ Council As Commercial Regulator Of Ports

After several months of anticipation, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has finally granted approval to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to become the commercial regulator of all port-related businesses.

Shipping Position Daily confirmed late last week that, the request had been on the agenda of FEC for a while, after the Minister of Transport; Senator Idris Umar reportedly effectively defended the proposal.

By the approval, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council now has the powers to determine and regulate all port charges and fees, as well as superintend activities of users and suppliers of port services.

Friday 21 February 2014

SHOCKER: Automotive Council Says No Registration For Smuggled Vehicles

As the nation eagerly awaits the March take-off of the new automotive policy, the National Automotive Council (NAC) has said buyers of smuggled vehicles will not be able to register or license them for use with effect from June.
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the Director, Policy and Planning, Mr Luqman Mamudu, on behalf of the Director General of NAC, Mr Aminu Jalal.
The measure, according to the statement, is part of provisions in the new National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) aimed at curbing vehicle smuggling in the country.
The NAC was reacting to reports of looming crisis in the auto sector following concerns raised by some stakeholders.
For example, a freight forwarding association was quoted as saying that the policy would stem the inflow of used vehicles into the country with dire consequences.

Thursday 20 February 2014

President Jonathan Says, Reforms In Customs Will Boost Security

CG, Customs; Alh Abdullahi Inde Dikko and President Goodluck Jonathan
Even as expectations rae still high about the future of the current reforms in Nigeria Customs Service, President Goodluck Jonathan said in Abuja that the reforms would boost security in the country.
Jonathan spoke at an audience with the visiting Secretary General of the World Customs Organisation, Mr Kunio Mikuriya.
Specifically, the president said the reforms in the service would help to curtail the influx of illegal small arms and light weapons.
The president said that the reforms also aimed at enhancing regional and continental trade were necessitated by the need to redefine the core values and operations of the service.
He said that with the reforms, the NCS was being progressively modernised and given the additional role of trade facilitation.
``I started out my career in the Nigeria Customs Service. Within that period and now, there have been significant changes.

Wednesday 19 February 2014

Two Americans Found Dead On Maersk Alabama, “Captain Phillips’” Ship



 Two American security workers have been found dead on the Maersk Alabama, a ship made famous by the Hollywood movie “Captain Phillips” in 2013, an oil and shipping group said on Wednesday.
A.P. Moller-Maersk said in a statement that the two men were found dead in a cabin on board the vessel in the afternoon of Feb. 18 in Port of Victoria in the Seychelles.
The Maersk Alabama was targeted by Somali pirates in an attempted hijacking off the east coast of Africa in 2009. The 2013 film “Captain Phillips” is based on the incident.

Jolapamo, Ogbeifun,Vicky Haastrup, Others Eye Chamber Of Shipping Presidency

Jolapamo, Vicky Haastrup and Greg Ogbeifun
There are strong indications that the position of president of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS) which has been vacant since the demise of Vice Admiral Mike Akhigbe (rtd) last year is seriously being eyed by some big wigs in the maritime industry.

Shipping Position Daily also gathered that some top members of the Nigerian Ship Owners Association (NISA) are ambitious to occupy the enviable seat.

Apart from top contenders from the maritime industry, our correspondent also gathered that a top player in the finance sector is also interested.

Tuesday 18 February 2014

SHOCKER: ASCON Reclaims MAN, Badagry Site From NIMASA

Yesterday, the Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi confirmed that the Federal Government had directed that it vacates the land that it was offered in Badagry for the purpose of establishing the Maritime Academy of Nigeria.
The obviously saddened NIMASA boss told visiting members of the Senate committee on marine transport, led by its chairman; Senator Zynab Kure, that it had relinquished the site to its original owners; the Administrative and Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON).

Lamenting that the development was a major setback in its capacity building drive, the NIMASA boss told the Senators that it was major challenge facing the agency.

Monday 17 February 2014

APMT Embroiled In Alleged N40Million Container Scandal

...Agents Groan As Terminal Increases Charges

Port concessionaire; APM Terminals is currently embroiled in a case of misappropriation of a container worth over N40Million, even as freight forwarders operating at the port have lamented that the terminal operators have increased charges without notifying stakeholders.

Shipping Position Daily investigations revealed that two trucks that were scheduled to load containers from the APM Terminal were reportedly loaded with cargoes not meant for them.

According to a source who pleaded anonymity, one of the trucks was a 40-foot container loaded with motorcycle tires and tools worth about 40million, the consignments belong to one Chrisanyin Maritime Agency.

It was learnt that the owner of the cargo was still signing documents pertaining to them, but by the time he finished documentation, he realized his cargo had been released wrongly.

Shipping Position Daily gathered that, in order to ascertain if there are ulterior motives, the Enforcement Unit of the Nigeria Custom Service in Apapa command impounded the container and it is currently investigating the saga. Our source said that foul play was suspected.

Confirming the development, Public Relations Officer of the Apapa Customs, Mr. Emmanuel Ekpa said that the customs enforcement unit is currently investigating the case.

A source who was also shocked, told our correspondent that, "before APMT loads a truck, there is what is called interchange, this interchange has the truck number, the one they give you when you write your TDO, by the time you enter, it will change into a blue color, they must have cross-checked and certified it before giving you the blue one".

"This means that they are sure that the truck was meant for that TDO, but they went inside to load another truck with another TDO and interchange”, he explained further.

It was learnt that the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) is equally interested in the embarrassing development and is currently investigating the case.

However, speaking with our correspondent in his office last week on recent development at the terminal, the Apapa Chapter Chairman of NAGAFF, Mr. Fred Ajuzie said that the APMT had recently increased its terminal charges without due recourse to the stakeholders.

Ajuzie equally condemned the working environment at the APMT terminal saying that freight forwarders and customs are still passing through hell at the terminal.

Apparently not impressed with work on a new building being constructed, he lamented: "Before you finish that structure you are building, many people must have died, we are the owners of the land and they have come to collect money from us, we are the ones spending this money, but they are not giving us good services."

"They have increased their charges, any charge that is increased by one Naira is a lot of money, if they were making N100million before, they will be making N300million, and Shippers’ Council cannot say they are not aware of this" he said.http://shippingposition.com.ng/article/apmt-embroiled-alleged-n40million-container-scandal

Friday 14 February 2014

NGO Flays National Assembly Over Port and Habour Bill



 Apparently miffed by the long delay in the passage of the Port Harbour Bill, the Maritime Industry Advocacy Initiative (MAIN) has condemned members of the National Assembly for not giving it the desired attention.
Describing the delay in the passage of the bill as a "deliberate attempt by the National Assembly to stunt the growth of the Nigerian maritime industry", the non-government organisation (NGO) accused the lawmakers of failing to attend to maritime industry bills that have been undergoing the rituals of passage for more than five years.

Freight Forwarders Groan As Shipping Coys Enforce International Passport On Cargo Clearance

• Allege Immigration Officials Demand Up To N30,000 Bribe
 
Freight forwarders operating at the ports in Lagos have cried out to the government to look into the excesses of shipping companies which are now allegedly demanding for international passports of consignees before cargoes can be released from the port to any importer.
According to the Deputy President; Shipping Companies and Terminal Operators of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF); Mr. Ugochukwu Nnadi, the shipping companies are allegedly deliberately running the racket with the Nigerian Immigration Service.
The NAGAFF top-man pointed out that this has further led to a large crowd of people who do not have anything to do in the port trooping into the port premises. He said that shipping has gone international and that most importation and transactions are now being carried out online.

Thursday 13 February 2014

N1.5BN SUBSIDY SCAM:

Witness Says Ship in Brazil When It Purportedly Discharged Products In Nigeria
The Federal High Court sitting in Ikeja was yesterday told that a ship that was claimed by a suspect to have brought-in petroleum product on the strength of which a subsidy claim was collected was actually in Brazil.
Justice Lawal Akapo of the Federal High Court was told that Ifeanyi Anosike and his company Anosyke Group of Companies never carried out any Ship- to- Ship transfer of 15,000 Metric Tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit PMS as claimed.
Anosike and his company are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on charges bordering on forgery and conspiracy to obtain by false pretence the sum of N1,537,278,880.82 (one billion, five hundred and thirty seven million, two hundred and seventy eight thousand, eight hundred and eighty Naira, eighty two kobo) from the Petroleum Support Fund.
According to the prosecution witness, Oghare Ebunu, an operative of the EFCC, investigations

Wednesday 12 February 2014

PORTS COMMERCIAL REGULATOR:

Executive Secretary/CEO; Nigerian Shippers' Council
and Minister Of Transport: Senator Idris Umar
Chambers Of Shipping Throws Weight Behind Shippers Council

The profile of Nigerian Shippers’ Council soared again yesterday as the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS) joined the rank of stakeholders who are clamouring for the Council to assume the status of the commercial regulator of operations in the Nigerian port system.
The Chamber also reiterated the need for the Federal Government to expedite action in putting in place a commercial regulator for the ports.
The chamber however advised government to empower the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to act as the ombudsman in port operations, saying that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is already saddled with too many responsibilities.

Tuesday 11 February 2014

AHEAD OF BOARD ELECTION: ANLCA Appeals To FG To Save Warri Port From Collapse


Ahead of its Board of Trustees (BoT) elections, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA),its National Financial Secretary; Mr Johnbull Oribhabor, has appealed to the Federal Government to take adequate measures to save the Warri Port from collapse.
Oribhabor made the appeal yesterday in Warri in an interview with newsmen ahead of the elections which holds on Thursday.
He said that the Warri port, which used to be a beehive of commercial activities in the past, had almost gone extinct due to prolonged neglect by successive governments.
Oribhabor said that the association had written to successive governments on the need to dredge the waterways leading to the Warri Port to revive the dwindling economic activities at the port.
According to him, ``ANLCA has made frantic efforts by writing successive governments on the importance of the Warri Port to the economy and the need to develop it for optimum performance.

Monday 10 February 2014

Container ship Collides with Chemical Tanker in Singapore Strait

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) received a report that today (Monday) a collision had occurred between the departing Liberia-flagged containership “Hammonia Thracium” and the Panama-flagged chemical tanker “Zoey” in the Singapore Strait, off Sebarok Island (about 10km south of mainland Singapore).

FG DUMPS NEW CUSTOMS BILL

There appears to be more troubles for the Nigeria Customs Service as confirmations have emerged to the effect that the highly controversial new Customs Bill may never see the light of the day.
Even though the House of Representatives and the Senate is done with it and passed to the President for his assent, our correspondent confirmed authoritatively last week that both the Presidency and the Finance Ministry are yet uncomfortable with the Bill.
Cited as a Bill for an Act to repeal the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), 2004 and other Customs and Excise laws, the 217-page bill seeks to reform the administration and management of Customs and Excise in Nigeria and to bring the CEMA Act of 1958 in line with modern day best practice.
Shipping Position Daily confirmed that, on the strength of what is seen as the overambitious nature of the Bill, the supervisory ministry of finance has been directed to commence fresh moves to seek stakeholders’ fresh inputs.
A senior source at the Ministry told our correspondent that the “Bill has been returned to the appropriate organs of government for a second look”.
Even though he refused to state clearly where the Bill is at the moment, he never-the-less confirmed that the President was made to see reasons for the Bill not to be signed into law, the passage by National Assembly notwithstanding.

Friday 7 February 2014

Who Owns Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria?



As if they anticipated it and already had a prepared response, leaders of some freight forwarding associations have poured venom on the immediate past national president of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA); Sir Ernest Elochukwu.
Their grouse is that he claimed that the Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) is ‘owned’ by the ANLCA.

Witness Say, Ex-DG NIMASA; Omatseye Has No Power To Award Contract For Goods/ Supply Above N2.5m

Ex-DG NIMASA; Temisan Omatseye
A prosecution witness has said that a director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) could not award a contract above N2.5 million for supply of goods to the agency.
A Procurement Officer at NIMASA; Mr James Aliu, gave evidence before a Federal High Court in Lagos at the trial of, a former Director-General of the agency; Mr Raymond Omatseye
Omatseye is standing trial for contract scam.
Aliu was led in evidence by Prosecution Counsel, Godwin Obla (SAN).
"For the supply of goods, the director-general has a threshold of N2.5 million, while for works, he has a limit of N5 million.
"Goods refer to only finished items, which are identified by specific names and numbers, while works include renovations, constructions or erection of buildings," he said.
According to the witness, the Parastatals Tender Board (PTB) is responsible for the approval of bids for contracts.

Thursday 6 February 2014

Fertiliser Cargo Ship Breaks Up Off French Coast



A Spanish cargo ship carrying fertiliser broke in two on 5th February after hitting a sea wall off the southwestern coast of France in high winds and was leaking some fuel into the water, French officials said.
Two helicopters lifted a dozen crew members to safety, said Jean Espilondo, the mayor of Anglet, a town near the French border with Spain that is close to the scene of the incident

TENSION AT TIN CAN PORT: Dockworkers/Truck Owners, Drivers Clash Over Toll Collection

There was anxiety yesterday at the 'Second Gate' area of the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, when dockworkers under the aegis of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) engaged truck drivers, who are members of the Joint Council of Seaport Truckers (JCOST) over collection of tolls at the port.
The JCOST comprises of: Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMARTO) and the Truck Drivers Unit of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN).
Our correspondent learnt yesterday that trouble started in the morning after dockworkers allegedly chased members of JCOST away from the gate and the port environment, and took over collection of levies from trucks leaving the port.
The corresponding build up was later abated as leaders of the warring parties reportedly moved in to douse tension.

Wednesday 5 February 2014

ILLEGAL AUCTION: Customs Sues 6 Suspected Fraudsters

CG Customs, Alh. Abdullahi Inde Dokko.       
After months of operating illegally and allegedly duping unsuspecting members of the public through the creation of illegal customs auction website pages and sundry related offences, the Nigeria Customs Service has finally unmasked some of the alleged fraudsters.
The Zone ‘A’ Ikeja Command of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Customs Service (NCS) yesterday confirmed the arrest of six suspected fraudsters for forging customs documents on auction allocation.
The confirmation was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Uche Ejesieme.
It named the six suspects as: Abiodun Ojo, Uche Nwankpa, Charles Ali, Abutu Emmanuel, Sunday Nwaeze and Ngozi Ibe. They were arrested in Lagos and Idiroko in Ogun State.

Tuesday 4 February 2014

MAAG CONTROVERSY

NAGAFF Founder; Dr Boniface Aniebonam
Stakeholders Lambasts NAGAFF Founder; Dr Aniebonam
Say, he is not competent to speak for the association


About one week after he threatened to puill the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) out of the nascent group; the Maritime Advocacy and Action Group ( MAAG ), Dr Boniface Aniebonam has called under sharp criticisms from leaders of some of the bodies that coalesced to form MAAG.

Yesterday, four bodies, namely: Lagos Chamber and Commerce, Industry (LCCI), the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN), Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) and the Save Nigerian Freight Forwarders, Importers, Exporters Coalitions condemned the statement which the founder of NAGAFF made at a press conference in Lagos.

Monday 3 February 2014

Anxiety As FG Shops For New Customs Comptroller General

 • May appoint an Acting CG from the rank of DGCs

There is anxiety within the topmost echelon of the Nigeria Customs Service following indications that the Federal Government may have finally decided to once again rejig the service’s management.
After months of speculations, it has now been confirmed that Government is now in search of a replacement for the Comptroller General of Customs; Alhajio Dikko Abdulahi Inde.
Sources at the Ministry of Finance hinted our correspondent last week that, the minister; Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, who is also the chairman of the board of Nigeria Customs Service  has been able  to convince the Presidency of the need to find a replacement for Dikko.
Consequently, the Presidency is said to be weighing two options, which are; to appoint an acting Comptroller General, or to appoint a substantive head for the strategic agency.
If the first option is finally endorsed, then the most senior Deputy Comptroller General; Mr John Atte may step in as acting CG of Customs soon.