Shippers’ Council Set To Battle NPA Over Alleged Increase In Berth Rent

• Habib Abdulahi: Managing Director, NPA and
Hassan Bello: Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council

The first test for the Nigerian Shippers Council, (NSC) as the commercial regulator of the ports appears imminent as it battles the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) over alleged introduction of collection of increased berth rent from terminal operators without consultation with or the permission of the regulator.
Already, the Executive Secretary of shippers’ council; Barrister Hassan Bello has ordered that the collection should be stopped immediately.

The management of Port and Terminal Operator Limited; a concessionaire at Port Harcourt port in Rivers state who disclosed this told the shippers council team that visited the port on Tuesday confirmed that the collection of the new levy commenced this month.

Explosion Rocks Total Petroleum Tank Farm At Ijora

There was pandemonium around Total Petroleum tank farm and filling station at Ijora axis of Apapa in the early hours of yesterday when two trucks loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol exploded, causing port operators and others to scamper.

The highly populated area is occupied by the Total Petroleum tank farm, a gas depot, a Total filling station and the Lillypond Container Terminal.

Shipping Position Daily correspondent who was at the scene of the explosion reported that clearing agents as well as officers of the Lillypond Command of the Nigeria Customs Service who were close to the depot, took to their heels and absconded from work throughout yesterday.
According to security operatives at the scene, the fire started at about 5am on Wednesday and it was battled by fire fighters until around 12 noon.

Customs Intercept 24 Suspected New Vehicles In Lagos Operation

CG Customs; Alhaji Dikko Abdulahi Inde

The Customs Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ in Ikeja has intercepted 22 new vehicles, comprising of 19 Toyota Hilux pickups, two Izuzu-DMAX Jeeps and one Toyota Land Cruiser GRX 2014 model, around the Ikoyi/Victoria Island axis in Lagos.

The vehicles which were seized in one operation last Sunday were valued at about N186.47Million

According to the controller of the unit, Deputy Comptroller Turaki Usman Adamu, the exotic vehicles were intercepted after what he called intensive intelligence gathering and laying of ambush by operatives of the unit.

NPA Management Bows To Workers

Managing Director, NPA; Mallam Habeeb Abdullahi.

• Approves mass promotion

The much-expected meeting between the management of Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA) and the two house unions has yielded its first fruit. The management has agreed that, all pending promotions should be released.

The two unions, namely: the Senior Staff Association of Communication, Transportation and Corporation (SSACTAC), NPA and the NPA branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) had taken the management to task on two issues which border on promotion and a new condition of service.

Sources close to the two parties confirm to our correspondent yesterday that, at the meeting which held last Friday, NPA management agreed to meet the workers’ demands, but shifted decision on the conditions of service to the board, a development which was confirmed leaders of the unions.

Hope Rises On Lekki Deepsea Port Project

·  NPA completes mandatory due diligence
·  Second phase of  port development commences soon

Even though there was initial apprehension about the 2018 take of date, there are indications that grey areas and deadlocks have been cleared by the stakeholders in the multi billion Naira Lekki Deepsea port project.

Shipping Position Daily confirmed last week that, the facilities which is reputed as Nigeria's first ever private/public partnership port, has received a major boost with the recent conclusion of the due diligence required by one of its key investors, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)
Shipping Position Daily had reported exclusively recently that, the port’s three promoters are, namely: Federal Government of Nigeria, Lagos State Government and Singapore based investor; Tolaram group had some disagreements. A Shareholder’s Agreement to this effect was signed in December 2012 amongst all three parties.

NIMASA/ Nigeria Air Force Unveils New Plane To Fight Sea Piracy

The New NIMASA/Air Force Anti Sea Piracy Aircraft

Nigeria’s military has unveiled a new aircraft to tackle high-seas pirates off the country’s coast, as well as sea robbers and oil thieves.
The high-tech plane is one of seven to be jointly operated by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Air Force.
According to an Air Force officer;  Sergeant Sunday Olalekan Omotosho, the plane is fitted with sensors, radar and Electro-Optic Surveillance and Tracking (EOST) equipment, which houses three cameras to monitor ships in Nigerian waters,

EBOLA: Cameroun Officially Closes Border With Nigeria

Even as Nigeria is yet undecided about what to do about her frontiers with her neighbours on account of the dreaded Ebola Virus, Cameroun has taken the bull by the horns and shuts her border with Nigeria.
A Camerounian government spokesman; Issa Tchiroma Bakary announced officially yesterday that the country which shares expansive border with Nigeria has closed all her borders with neighbouring Nigeria.
He said yesterday that: “The government has taken the decision to protect its population because it is much better to prevent than cure the Ebola virus”.
The story of the border closing by Cameroon was first reported on Monday by the AFP, which reported that: "All borders, land, sea, and air, between Cameroon and Nigeria are closed. Our thinking is that it is better to act preventively rather than have to heal" later those who may fall ill, said Issa Tchiroma Bakary.

PIRACY: NIMASA Says IMB Reports Untrue, Gulf of Guinea Now Safe

L-R: Air Vice Marshal Adebowale Odunlade of Nigerian Air Force,
Director General of NIMASA, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, Air Vice Marshal
Steve Onuh and representative of Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar;
Mr. Danjuma Dauda during a stakeholders sensitization meeting on the
MoU between NIMASA and NAF in Lagos yesterday.

Contrary to reports of escalating attacks by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) about pirates operating within the Nigerian maritime domain, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has assured that Nigeria's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as well as the Gulf of Guinea are secured.

The agency equally countered that it is not overwhelmed by its responsibilities, even as it assured that its recent collaborations with various security agencies in Nigeria; including the Navy, Nigerian Army and the Air Force have yielded positive results in curbing piracy on the waters.

Speaking at a sensitization conference on the partnership of NIMASA with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Lagos yesterday, Director General of NIMASA, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi assured that piracy on Nigerian territorial waters has reduced considerably.

Fresh Anxiety Over Custom CG; Abdulahi Dikko’s Job

Comptroller General; Alhaji Dikko Abdulahi

Palpable fears enveloped the rank and file of the Nigeria Customs Service last week following rumours that the service’s Comptroller General; Alhaji Dikko  Abdulahi was about to be replaced by the Federal Government.
Those who spoke with our correspondents in Port Harcourt, Lagos and Abuja confirm the reality of the imminent rejig at the money-spinning agency.
But, loyalists of the Customs boss maintained that there was no cause for alarm. They insist that it wasn’t the first time that such a rumour would be making the rounds.
But, Shipping Position Daily confirmed that, indeed the Presidency has made up its mind to remove the Customs CG, but it was still undecided about the successor.
It was confirmed from sources at the supervisory ministry of Finance that, while all the deputy comptrollers general (DCGs) will go along with the CG of Customs.

Stakeholders Boycott NPA’s Ebola Virus Sensitisation Seminar

Managing Director, NPA; Mallam Habeeb Abdullahi.

• Freight forwarders, dockworkers, terminal operators, truck drivers absent

Blaming inadequate awareness for the event, stakeholders in the port system were conspicuously absent at town hall meeting organised by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) yesterday to educate them on precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
Even though the programme was meant for all stakeholders, Shiping Position Daily confirmed that it was not attended by freight forwarders, truck drivers/owners, dockworkers, terminal operators and others.
The only visible stakeholders in attendance were employees of NPA and journalists.
Many of those who spoke with our correspondent after the event claimed that there was not enough awareness about the sensitization.
Notwithstanding, the NPA brought a Medical Virologist from the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research; Dr. Salu Olumuyiwa who advised maritime operators to endeavour

Customs Snubs NAGAFF, Others, Trains ANLCA Members On Procedures

There are indications that the Nigeria Customs Service is set to commence the training of members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agent (ANLCA), a development which has however drawn the ire of other associations .

In a letter which was circulated by Customs headquarters last week, the service stressed that in line with what is obtainable with Custom brokers in other countries, the training is strictly for license owners.

Shipping Position Daily gathered that the training kicks off next week and the certificate issued at the end of the raining will serve as requisite for the renewing of practicing licenses.

Surprisingly, the opportunity was not extended to the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and the other three associations namely;

ANLCA Accuses Customs Of Using PAAR To Extort Its Members

L-R: National Secretary of NAGAFF; Increase Uche, National President of ANLCA;
Prince Olayiwola Shittu, Deputy National President of NAGAFF;
Barr. Fred Akhokia with the Chairman of PTML Chapter of ANLCA;
Prince Bola Adeniran at last Friday’s meeting by the two association
over the demolition of their offices at PTML

Even though it had initially stood by the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service; Alhaji Dikko Abdulahi Inde over the implementation of the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) yesterday picked holes in the implementation of the scheme.

At an enlarged meeting of the association in Lagos, ANLCA accused Customs of telling lies to stakeholders over PAAR and that it was only using the tool to extort licensed customs agents. Members of ANLCA at the meeting took turns to lament the challenges on PAAR, especially as it concerns the quantity and value of cargoes.

The association condemned the incessant querying of cargoes by Customs Investigation Unit (CIU) based on low value, as well as inflation of values payable on consignments at various commands, saying that this is highly criminal.

Shippers’Council Deploys Officers To Monitor Activities At Seaport Terminals

Executive Secretary of the Council; Barrister Hassan Bello

Months after it was appointed as the commercial regulator of the ports, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has disclosed that it is deploying its staff to supervise activities going on at the concessioned seaport terminals in Nigeria.

Executive Secretary of the Council; Barrister Hassan Bello made this revelation in Lagos yesterday when he conducted an on-the-spot assessment of activities at the ENL Consortium Terminals at Apapa Port, as well as the facilities of the Port and Cargo Handling Services Terminals at Tin Can Island Port.

Hassan Bello charged the concessionaires to ensure that they render full support to the Council by allowing its staff free access into their terminals and to ensure that necessary information is released to the council to work with.

EBOLA SCARE : Maersk Line Suspends Shore Leave And Crew Change In Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea

A. Map Of West Africa Showing Ebola Virus-Infested States (Arrowed)
B. The Ebola Virus

* P&I Clubs Advise Clients About Risk Involved In Ebola-prone Countries

 

Global shipping line; Maersk Line has altered its operations in Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, citing the fast-spreading Ebola Virus. 
Consequently, the shipping line which has frequent calls into Nigeria has suspended shore leave as well as crew change in these four nations, even though it said that normal calls would still continue.
Responding to questions, a spokesperson for Maersk said: “We have been following the situation for some time and sent out our first advisory to vessels calling at West African ports on 26 March. We have subsequently sent out several updates - to crews and land-based personnel - outlining additional health measures as per the WHO recommendations.

EBOLA: NPA Issues Guidelines For Prevention Of Spread In All Port Locations, Terminals

Apparently reacting to the dangerous spread of the deadly Ebola virus, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said it has issued guidelines to its employees and port community stakeholders on the virus risks.
It also said in statement that was issued on Wednesday that it, has given directives about the risk factors in a port environment.
The assurance comes on the heels of a story that was published exclusively by Shipping Position Daily yesterday about the fears that were expressed by some staff of government agencies in the port about their safety. These officers are first line contact with ships’ crew in the ports.
Statutorily, officers of Nigerian Immigration Service, Quarantine Services, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) are among the few that are permitted to board ships.

EBOLA SCARE HITS LAGOS PORTS

Ebola screening at airport.

• Government Agencies; Personnel Decry Lack of Awareness

Even as the global shipping community has cautioned ship owners, masters and crew calling at ports of three West Africa nations, operatives of government agencies in Lagos ports are now scared stiff of contacting the deadly virus on board incoming ships.
Statutorily, officers of Nigerian Immigration Service, Quarantine Services, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) are among the few that are permitted to board ships.
But some operatives of these agencies, who spoke to our correspondent yesterday on condition of anonymity, expressed fears about their being ‘first contact’ with ship’s crew upon arrival at the port.
Specifically, they complain of lack of awareness for port users and also lack of protection for them (operatives).

EBOLA: Global Bodies ‘Red Flag’ Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone

The international shipping community has placed ship owners, masters and crews on red alert while transiting three West African nations of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The three nations have recorded huge fatalities on account of the spiraling deadly Ebola virus that has so far killed hundreds of its victims.
The outbreak in West Africa has been attributed to 1,603 people sickened and 887 deaths since March, according to the latest figures released by World Health Organisation (WHO), making it the worst Ebola outbreak in history. These figures include eight suspected cases discovered in neighboring Nigeria, including one fatality.

PIRACY: BIMCO Issues Alert On Nigerian Security Operatives

• Says, Nigerian Police, Marine Police, JTF Proscribed From Boarding Vessels

Fresh investigations have revealed that international vessels plying Nigerian waters may have been advised not to source for armed guard to man their vessels except those guards are supplied by the Nigerian Navy in order to avoid liabilities and delays.

This fresh alert was issued by the largest international shipping association; Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) to all of its members cutting across more than 120 countries.

BIMCO has warned its members operating vessels within the Nigerian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and territorial waters to be aware that they may be at risk of potentially significant liabilities and delays if they employ armed guards on board their vessels who are sourced from the Nigerian Marine Police, the Nigerian Police or the Joint Task Force (JTF)

Uncertainty Over Lekki Deep Sea Port Take-Off Date

• NPA, Lagos State Government, Tolaram at loggerheads over equity

A great cloud of uncertainty now hovers over the US$1.5Billion Lekki Deep sea port project following disagreements between the three promoters over the actual value of their equities.
The three promoters are: Federal Government of Nigeria, Lagos State Government and Singapore based investor; Tolaram group.
Our correspondent learnt last week that, even though the trio are expected to own equities of 20 per cent, 18.5 per cent and 61 per cent respectively, some of them are becoming suspicious of one another.
While the Lagos state government is said to be uncomfortable with the Federal Government which is represented by the Nigeria Ports Authourity (NPA), the duo of Tolaram and the Federal Government are also reportedly raising eyebrows over the 18.5% equity allocated to the port’s host state of Lagos.

Navy Blames Foreigners For Most Of Crime On Nigeria Waters

The Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin.

The Nigerian Navy (NN) has blamed foreigners for most piracy, illegal bunkering and other sea crimes committed within the nation’s maritime domain.
Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC); Rear Admiral Sanmi Alade said at  the command’s headquarters in Lagos, while receiving crew members of visiting British ship, HMS Iron Duke that the Nigerian Navy was poised to take full control of the nation’s waterways and rid it of private security and criminals, noting that the country’s waterway was not a private affair.
 “Given the occurrences at our waters, the NN is now set to take complete ownership. A Lot of people and nations have interest in our waters for obvious reasons”, he said