“We Will Continue To Arrest Non-Compliant Containers” – SON

From Left: Representative of United Nations Industrial Development
Organization (UNIDO),Charles Malanta, Director General of Standards
Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Dr. Joseph Odumudu and President
Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Chief Frank Jacob at
Press Conference Organised by SON, yesterday in Lagos

As part of its effort to discourage importation of substandard products, the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has vowed that it will continue to arrest containers on the highway, if they fail to comply with Standards Organisation of Nigeria's Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) rules.
Director General of SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu said this yesterday at a press conference in Lagos.
The SON’s director general affirmed that the organisation won’t will continue to impound containers from importers except they abide and conform to SONCAP guidelines.
According to him, the federal government is working on a platform whereby goods coming into Nigeria must be in tandem with the standards in Nigeria from countries of origin of the products, saying that strategies are ongoing to put the measure in place by next year.
Odumodu noted that once a container fails to provide the right document, the agency will continue to seize such consignments, adding that it is an executive action on the part of the agency and the federal government.
"My message to them is that they should do the right thing because it is not about noise making or petitions but it’s about doing the right thing"
"I have never seen any place where people will subvert the laws and will be bold to make noise about it, it happens only in Nigeria and it will not work under by leadership".
Odumodu urged importers not to breach the laws relating to standardization of products, stressing that whenever importers involve themselves in importation of illicit and sub standard product, the agency will not take it light with them.
Every shipper that brings in sub standard products into the country will be penalised, noting that such actions will be taken from the highest level of government.
Speaking further the SON 's boss reiterated that, " I have a job to do and my job is to ensure that Nigerians are protected from the ill-effect of sub standard products and anywhere they come from, such a person will not be my friend and anybody who brings in such product is actually looking for my trouble” .
He added that SONCAP certificate is mandatory in customs clearance document in Nigeria and regulated products arriving at the country without the document will be subjected to delays and possibly denial of entry.http://shippingposition.com.ng/article/%E2%80%9Cwe-will-continue-arrest-non-compliant-containers%E2%80%9D-%E2%80%93-son

Freight Forwarders Commend Customs Over PAAR

Freight forwarders have commended the Nigeria Customs Service over the successes recorded so far in the clearance of goods from the ports, especially with the introduction of the Pre Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR).
A cross section of freight forwarders who spoke yesterday at a ceremony to mark the 3rd year anniversary of Port Gist on TV, conferment of awards and unveiling of a new magazine, expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the the Customs PAAR.
Leading the pack, the President of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA); Prince Olayiwola Shittu called on stakeholders to support PAAR, adding that it has fared well, even though it had some challenges at the initial stage.

He stated that PAAR has become a reality in freight forwarding practice, adding that the agents still needed to be educated about the scheme.

At Last, Shippers’ Council Comes Hard On Terminal Operators, Shipping Coys

• Executive Secretary Nigerian Shippers Council: Mr  Hassan Bello,
Chairman Shipping Association of Nigeria: Mr Val Usifoh and
Chairperson Seaports  and Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria:
Princess Vicky Hastrup

• Orders Reversal Of Progressive Storage Charge to Pre-May 2009 Rate

• Increases  Container Free Storage Period to 7 Days

• Increases Container Demurrage-free Days to 10 Days

 

After what seems like an endless wait, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has finally stamped its authority as the economic regulator of the ports.

The Council has reeled out daring interventions in the commercial relationships between users and providers of shipping and terminal handling services in all the nation’s sea ports.

Coming months after it was appointed as the economic regulator of the nation’s port system, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in a public notice to terminal operators and shipping companies

NISA ELECTIONS

I have No Hands In Emergence Of Labinjo, Others: Chief Chief Jolapamo

Even as last weekend’s elections of the Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA) which saw the emergence of Capt Niyi Labinjo as the new chairman continues to reverberate, out-going chairman of the association; Chief Isaac Jolapamo has said he had no hand in the outcome of the elections.
In a statement sent to Shipping Position Daily yesterday, chief Jolapamo stated unequivocally that he neither endorsed nor supported any of the candidates who contested.
The NISA chairmanship position was won by Capt Labinjo who polled 31votes out of 71 votes, as against the six votes that were garnered by Barrister Temisan Omatseye and the 23 votes polled by Greg Ogbeifun.

Fresh Uncertainty Hits Lekki Deep Sea Port Project

• Lagos State Tackles  Other Stakeholders On New Equity
• Banks Hold Back On Funds
• 2014 Construction Take-off Unlikely

Contrary to assurances that the highbrow Lekki Deep Sea Port project is steadily on course, there are confirmations that all is still not well between the three stakeholders, namely: the Nigerian Ports Authourity (representing the Federal Government of Nigeria), the Lagos State Government and the Singaporean core investor; Tolaram Group.
Our investigations at both the Lagos state government and the NPA hinted at the fact that the initial misgivings over equities may not be over yet. Shipping Position Daily recalls that, Lagos state had earlier frowned at the slash of its equity of 20 per cent to 18.5 per cent.

NISA Election: Contestants Vow To Combat Cabotage Violations

Chairman of NISA electoral committee, Capt. Niyi Adeyemo,
outgoing chairman of NISA, Chief Isaac Jolapamo,  Director, Cabotage Services,
NIMASA, Oruwari Etete and Deputy Director, Public Relations of NIMASA;
Mr Isichie Osamgbi at an event for the presentation of manifestoes
of contestants in the NISA coming elections.

...As Ogbeifun, Omatseye, Labinjo Slog It Out Today
‎About 22 contestants in the Nigerian Ship owners Association of Nigeria (NISA) yesterday took turn to assure maritime practitioners that the controversial Cabotage Act of 2004 shall be implemented and made to function optimally for the benefit of operators.
This assurance came at the association’s manifesto presentation forum held by NISA for the contestants‎ at the Rockview Hotel in Apapa Lagos, ahead of today's elections.
Speaking at the event, Chief Executive of Starz Group, Engr. Greg Ogbaifun assured that if he is voted in as president of NISA , he will make judicious use of the position to ensure that the flouting of Cabotage Act by foreign operators is stopped.

NEW PORT ORDER: Shippers; Council Boss; Hassan Bello Lobbies FG For Enabling Laws

Executive Director Of Inland Services Of Nigerian Shippers Council
 Mrs Adebisi Adeagbo, President Shippers Association Of Lagos State,
Rev. Jonathan Nicole, Apapa Command Controller Of Customs, Mr Charles Edike,
 Freight Forwarder, Mrs Jully Ogboru And  President Of NAGAFF
Chief Eugene Nweke At A-One Day seminar Organised
By Shippers Association In Lagos Yesterday.

In order to ensure that the Nigeria Shippers’ Council actualizes its‎ mandate as the port economic regulator, the council's boss, Barrister Hassan Bello has said that the impact of the agency might not be felt without an enabling laws.
Speaking at a One-day Seminar titled: "Working Towards a New Port Order", organized by the Shippers Association Lagos State in collaboration with the council, Bello said that the council since its establishment in 1978 has come of age and has been performing regulatory functions.
Represented by Executive Director of Inland Services of the council; Mrs. Adebisi Adeagbo, Bello said that part of the strategies the agency had adopted since its appointment as economic regulator include series of consultations with several stakeholders including shipping companies and other service providers.

SON To NAGAFF :Our Mandate Is To Enforce Standards

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has at last broken its silence over arrest of containers by the body’s enforcement officers, saying it has the mandate of the Federal Government to enforce and checkmate the influx of sub- standards products into the country.

In a statement sent to our correspondent yesterday, the Director of Enforcement and port operations; Engineer Bede Obayi said since importers have devised new methods of bringing in sub-standards products into the country, SON has also developed new strategies to checkmate them.
He said the assignment given to his Director General; Dr Joseph Odumudu by the federal government of Nigeria is to rid the country of fake, adulterated and sub- standard products, pointing out that the organization has been doing so with vigour.

Cross River Governor; Imoke Harps On Functional Calabar Port, FTZ

the Governor of Cross Rivers state, Liyel Imoke

...Laments Failed Promises To Dredge The Channel
Less than 48 hours after the Federal Government flagged-off the dredging of Calabar port channel, the Governor of Cross Rivers state, Liyel Imoke has stressed the need for federal structures in the state like the Calabar Free Trade Zone (CFTZ) as well as the Calabar sea port to be made functional.
“With revitalisation of Tinapa Business Resort following its acquisition by Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), Calabar needs a standard airport, a functional Free Trade Zone and free flow of ships within the Calabar channel to harness the huge potentials in the tourism sub-sector to grow the economy of the State.”

For A Record Fifth Time, FG Inaugurates Calabar Port Channel Dredging

The Federal Government last Friday flagged-off the serial dredging of Calabar channel, amidst apprehension that the exercise may go the way of others before it.
At the inauguration, President Goodluck Jonathan acknowledged that the Calabar Port had potential to boost economic activities in Cross River and neigbouring states.
Represented by the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, Jonathan said the dredging of the Calabar channel was a joint venture between the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and Niger Global Engineering.
Specifically, it was awarded to a joint venture; Calabar Channel Management Limited (CCM) and Niger Global Engineering Services Limited,

“Your Officers Lack Discipline”: ANLCA Chieftain Tells Customs CG



Western Zone Coordinator of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Sir John Ofobike has said that most officers of the Nigeria Customs Service are not disciplined, even as he called on the Comptroller of Customs, Dikko Abdullah Inde to ensure proper monitoring of officers activities.

In an exclusive interview with Shipping Position Daily at the ANLCA National Secretariat, Ofobike noted that customs officers do not obey standard procedures and protocols of civil service in Nigeria, he said officers fail to resume for duty at the right time, and that they are always quick to close work for the day.

He warned that if proper sanctions are not meted out by the customs top hierarchy in Abuja, the indiscipline in customs service might erode the many achievements of the service.

“No Money Was Taken From Our Terminal By Customs” – ABTL MD

The management of Apapa Bulk Terminal (ABTL) has thrown more light into its recent face-off with the Customs Area Controller (CAC) in charge of Apapa Area 1; Comptroller Charles Edike, in which the later was alleged to have ordered his men to unleash terror on some personnel of the former.
Speaking for the first time since the story was scooped by Shipping Position Daily on Monday, the managing director of ABTL; Capt  J. Bashir explained that, no money was carted away from the terminal.
In an e-mail to Shipping Position Daily, the managing director of ABTL explained that the terminal does not collect cash from its customers, hence there was no way there would have been bales of money for anyone to cart away.

Tanker runs aground in Amazon River

A 183-metre tanker Seychelles Patriot has run aground in Brazil. The incident occurred on October 8 while the vessel was en route from Rio De Janeiro to Manaus laden with gasoil cargo.

Since then, several attempts to refloat the vessel has been made without any success.

Shippers’ Council Tables Cargo Clearance Challenges Before Terminal Operators, Customs, Others

Controller Apapa Area One Command, Nigeria Customs Service;
Comptroller Charles Edike, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Shippers’ Council;
Barrister Hassan Bello And Director Commercial Shipping Services,
Nigeria Shippers Council; Mrs. Dabney Shall Holma
At A Stakeholders Meeting Held in Lagos Yesterday.

…Says Automation Is Its Ultimate Target
 

The Nigeria Shippers’ Council yesterday in Lagos insisted that the ultimate aim of the council is to ensure that cargo clearance and delivery process in the nation’s seaports is automated so as to reduce human contact between consignees and officers of service providers.

The Council’s executive secretary; Mr Hassan Bello stated this at a meeting with some stakeholders including terminal operators and officers of the Nigeria Customs Service.

At the meeting which was chaired by the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Shippers’ Council, issues bordering on factors militating against 48 hours cargo clearance procedures, delay in carrying out examination of containers, transit trade and measures to adopt in order to reduce human contact in the clearing process were put on the table.

Apapa Customs Controller; Charles Edike On Rampage

• Order Officers To  Storm ABTL Terminal, Arrests Nine Staff, Carts Away Bales Of Money

For allegedly denying him the use of its security gate, the Customs Area Controller in charge of Apapa Area 1 command, Mr. Charles Edike allegedly ordered his officers to arrest and lock up nine staff of the Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited (ABTL).

The ugly incident occurred penultimate Thursday at the Apapa port when the Customs Area Controller was reportedly denied usage of the gate, owing to a letter purportedly written by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency  (NIMASA) concerning the use of the gate to non-essential staff of ABTL. The NIMASA letter cited violation of the ISPS code.

Auto Importers, Dealers Oppose SON’s Vehicle Pre-shipment Inspection

More reactions have continued to trail the Standard Organisation of Nigeria(SON) decision to subject all Nigeria-bound imported vehicles to pre-shipment verification by three already appointed inspection companies.
Yesterday, importers and automobile dealers expressed opposition to the decision, saying that the SON is only looking for avenue to be relevant in port operations.

Even though freight forwarders have expressed their dissatisfaction with SON's engagement of the service providers, namely: Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited, Quality Assurance Projects Limited and Medtech Scientific Limited, the vehicle importers and dealers have  also described such appointment as "jobs for the boys”,  because according to them, the destination inspection service providers are currently idle.

NAGAFF Kicks Against Imported Vehicles Pre-shipment Inspection Contract By SON

Freight forwarders have condemned the engagement of three service providers by the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) to carry out pre-shipment verification of imported vehicles coming into Nigeria

Leading the pack of the opposition, the National President of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Chief Eugene Nweke said that it is wrong for SON to impose additional levy on shippers through the new scheme.

He said that NAGAFF, in collaboration with the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) as well as other bodies will soon issue a joint public statement on the development.

"It is in good direction, but where we may not agree is the arbitrary levies to be paid, you don't just

FERCSARA Tells LASG To Stop Collection Of Wharf Landing Fees On Port Access Road

Container laden trucks opposite
Lagos Port Complex gate yesterday

There are indications that the Federal Roads Committee On Surveillance and Action Against Road Abuse (FERCSARA) South West zone has insisted that the consultancy firm that was engaged by the Lagos State Government to collect the controversial wharf landing fees should stop collecting the levy on Federal roads.

Sources close to FERCSARA hinted that the decision was conveyed to the Lagos state consultant at a recent meeting in Lagos.
The FERCSARA is domiciled under the Federal Ministry of Works.
The wharf landing fee is collectable on all cargoes cleared at Lagos ports and being conveyed within on through the state.

Our correspondent confirmed that at a meeting to deliberate on the issue on Tuesday, the South West taskforce team of FERCSARA which was led by one

SON MOVES IN ON AUTO POLICY

•  Says, Nigeria, A Dumping Ground for Substandard Vehicles
•  Engages Cotecna, Others For Pre-shipment Inspection of Used Vehicles
  
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has disclosed its intention to be involved in the process of importation of vehicle into Nigeria. To achieve this, it said it would begin a new pre-shipment verification of conformity to standards on used vehicles coming into the country.
It has also appointed three companies; Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited, Quality Assurance Projects Limited and Medtech Scientific Limited.
The Director-General, Standards Organisation, of Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, disclosed this while speaking shortly after the signing of an agreement for the implementation of the conformity to standards of used vehicles.