NIMASA Promises Job Placement For Graduating Cadets

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has promised possible job placements for the first batch of graduates from the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP).

The NSDP was introduced by NIMASA to build manpower capacity to address the needs for local content in vessel manning.

Director-General of the agency; Mr Ziakede Akpobolokemi, gave the promise on Saturday at a reception organised for the graduands in Lagos. Out of the 22 cadets, nine were trained in Marine Engineering, while 13 received training in Nautical Sciences.

“We promise to do everything possible to provide jobs for these graduates because when the youth are hungry there will be trouble.

“Investing in the youth is the best assurance for a peaceful nation,” he said.

Customs, NAC Square Up Over Fiscal Implementation Of Auto Policy

·   How Customs Circular Rattled NAC   
Last week, the National Automotive Council (NAC) was jolted by media reports that the Nigeria Customs Service had fast-forwarded the implementation date of the auto policy; it hurriedly offered fresh assurances that the National Automotive policy was on course and that its full implementation will commence on January, 2105.
However, the clarification was an apparent response to the report that, Customs had commenced collection of 35% levy on all imported used vehicles, in violation of the policy implementation timeline.
Shipping Position Daily confirmed last week that a circular was actually

Senate Says Free Trade Zones Are A Failure

The Senate has expressed disappointment that the nation’s Free Trade Zones have failed to stimulate economic growth due to weak regulatory framework.
Various Senators who spoke at a public hearing on the Oil and Gas Export Free Zones Authority Act, 2011 (amendment Bill) 2014, in Abuja expressed total disappointment at the implementation of the Act and the performance of the Free Trade Zones
The Oil and Gas Export Free Zone Act which seeks to make consequential provision to the Act for greater effectiveness and efficiency has been in existence for about 18 years.
In his address at the occasion, the President of the Senate, David Mark, explained that the main ideology behind legislative support for the establishment of the FTZs was to make economically viable laws to act as catalysts for economic growth.

NAC Says, Auto Policy Being Wrongly Interpreted

… Clears air on implementation
Apparently referring to recent uproar at the PTML command of the Nigeria Customs Service over collection of duty and levy on imported vehicles, the National Automotive Council (NAC) has thrown more light on the implementation date of the policy, saying that January 1, 2014 was sacrosanct.
The Director-General of NAC; Mr. Aminu Jalal, said, on Tuesday that the implementation of the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP)  is progressing as planned and that there is no intention to tamper with its implementation.
Specifically, the NAC dissociated itself from speculations about possible reversal of the commencement date on account of recent actions of the Customs, even as it stated that the application of the levy exemption was only being misinterpreted.

AHEAD OF NISA ELECTION:

Former Director General,  (NIMASA)
Mr. Temisan Omatseye

Ex-DG, NIMASA; Omatseye Says CVFF Belongs To Practitioners, Must Be Disbursed   

Even as the election into the Nigerian Indigenous Ship owners Association (NISA) draws nearer, a former Director General, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA),Mr. Temisan Omatseye, who is eyeing the presidency of the association, has assured ship owners and members of the association that he will fight for the disbursement of  the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) if he is voted in.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos, yesterday in Lagos, the former NIMASA DG reiterated that plans are ongoing with government to ensure that the CVFF is well disbursed for Nigeria ship owners.

NPA To Enforce Minimum Safety Standards For Trucks In Nigerian Ports By Oct. 2

Some trucks on queue along Wharf Road waiting to drop
containers at the Lagos Port Complex, yesterday.
What happens to them as from October 2, 2014?

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said yesterday that it will commence the enforcement of safety standards for trucks operating in the nation’s ports by October 2, 2014.

The Apapa Port Manager, Mr Anas Nasir, said in Lagos that the move was to ensure the trucks met basic international safety requirements for maritime operations.

He added that , under the new dispensation, trucks coming into Apapa port must meet minimum standards as would be prescribed.

``We are coming up with minimum standards for the trucks which we are going to start enforcing from Oct. 2, 2014.

``Trucks must meet some minimum standards of safety requirements like carriage, tryes, breaking system and particulars to start with,” Nasir said.

Why Nigeria’s Auto Policy May Fail - Senate President

• Says: Auto Bill is good on paper, but in practice, it will be difficult to implement 

Although the National Automotive Bill  has passed the second reading at the Senate, the leadership of the Senate has expressed doubt about the workability of the Bill if eventually passed by the National Assembly.
Tagged: ‘Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (Fiscal Incentives, Assurances and Guarantees) Bill’, it is meant to strengthen the Nigerian automotive industry development plan and promote a sustainable and competitive automotive industry. It is an Executive Bill.
The Bill which first appeared at the National Assembly in June, 2014, it seeks to give teeth to government’s auto policy  and give legal backing to investments in the production and assembly of cars and tyres in Nigeria as well as legalise provision of tariff incentives and income tax reliefs on all automobile and automotive components.

Why Ibaka Deepsea Port Project Is Delayed -- Govt

The Akwa Ibom State Government has said the delay in the take off of Ibaka Deep Sea Port is due to the late result of the Environmental Impact Assessment( EIA) being carried out by  the Federal Ministry of Environment.
The state’s Federal Controller of Environment, Dr. Tim Ndoho, said this on Wednesday in Uyo at the eighth Nigerian Dredging Summit and Exhibition.
According to him, the EIA reports are part of the challenges halting the commencement of the projects, which was proposed six years ago by the state governor, Mr. Godswill Akpabio.

AUTO POLICY IMPLEMENTATION FACE-OFF:

• PTML Customs Clears The  Air, Releases HS Code of Imported Vehicles

Less than 24 hours after clearing agents at the PTML command of the Nigeria Customs Service at Tin Can Island port protested what they explained as attempt by the Customs to begin a back-door implementation of duty and levy collection on imported vehicles, the Customs has relase further information and also advised clearing agents to study the new HS Code.
Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command; Comptroller Folorunsho Adegoke told Shipping Position Daily yesterday that his command is only collecting 35 per cent on used vehicles.
He also confirmed release of  HS Codes for imported used vehicles and  advised licensed customs agents to use the appropriately.
“Note that the new levy is NOT applicable for now until 31/12/2014”, he said in a message.
According to the CAC, HS Code for used passenger vehicles are: 8702. 1020.20, 8702. 1020.29 and 8702. 9020.97. He added that the HS Code for cars/ Four Wheel Drive vehicles are: 8703.2422.00, 8703.2429.00 and 8703.3121.00.

Dikko Didn’t Give Us Money For Our National Secretariat—ANLCA

CG Customs; Alhaji Dikko Abdulahi Inde and
National President, ANLCA; Prince Olayiwola Shittu

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents(ANLCA) yesterday denied receiving any money from the Comptroller General of Customs; Alhaji Dikko Abdulahi Inde towards the acquisition of of its new national secretariat located in Amuwo Odofin, a Lagos suburb.
The property which was commissioned penultimate Friday and which was named after the Customs boss cost about N150Million.
Since the commissioning, tongues have been wagging about the source of the huge funds, part of which was alleged to have been provided by the Customs boss.
Naming the secretariat after Dikko and his alleged contribution has been trending since Monday when the Vice Chairman of the association’s board of trustees (BoT); Aare Sanni Shittu dissociated the board from how the decision to name the building after the Customs boss was taken.

Shocker In Customs As Controller Western Marine Command Retires, Hands Over To Chief Superintendent/Personal Assistant

History has been made in the Nigeria Customs Service following the retirement of the Controller of the services’ Western Marine command; Comptroller Zakka Audu. He was directed to hand over to a Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC); Mr. Johnson Gabriel who is now the acting Controller.

The former Controller resigned last week after putting in 35 years.

Shipping Position Daily however, gathered that the acting controller was the Personal Assistant (PA) to Comptroller Zakka Audu while the former was in the office as controller of the Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.
It was also  learnt yesterday that, no substantive  replacement has yet been announced for the controller and that CSC) Johnson Gabriel is to hold forth as acting controller.

Audu was posted to the command as controller on the 3rd of September 2012 from Customs headquarters in Abuja where he had served as controller in charge of excise.

FG May Extend Auto Policy Implementation Date Again

•         To reduce age limit of used imported cars to 5 years

The Federal Government is rethinking the January 2015 total take-off date of the automobile policy, sources close to both the Federal Ministry of Finance and the National Automotive Council (NAC) have revealed.
Shipping Position Daily confirmed last week that the recent position of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) in which it called on the Federal Government to delay the take-off of the new Automotive Policy to March 2015, is a step to test the waters and a give the new policy implementation date a soft landing.
The influential body had argued last week through its National President; Alhaji Badaru Abubakar that the shift has become necessary so as to enable stakeholders resolve the lingering controversies that have been generated by the policy and also reach a consensus on how to effectively implement the policy for the benefit of the sector’s investors and the economy at large.

FG To Designate 6 Inland Container Depots As Ports Of Origin -- Minister

The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar.

 The Federal Government will designate the six approved Inland Container Depots (ICDs)  as Ports of Origin, according to the Minister of Transport, Senator  Idris Umar.
Umar said the decision to designate the depots as Ports of Origin was sequel to the request by financiers of the projects.
The minister said in Abuja yesterday that the operators of the ICDs were faced with the challenge of finance because the financiers of the project requested that the depots be designated Ports of Origin before they could make funds available.
He explained that: ‘We are working assiduously to ensure that the declaration is made on the depots.
``The financiers are insisting that the ports must be designated as ports of origin and destination for export and import of

AfDB Approves $150m Loan For Lekki Deep Sea Port Project

The African Development Bank (AfDB) says it has approved 150 million dollars loan to Lekki Tolaram Port to build a Greenfield Seaport in the Lagos Free Trade Zone (LFTZ).
This is contained in a statement issued by the bank yesterday in Abuja.
The Lagos Free Trade Zone is 60 kilometres east of Lagos.
The statement said the project would be managed by Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise for 45 years under a build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) concession granted by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
 
It said the loan (about N23 billion) would be used for the construction of breakwaters, quays, approach channels, dredging of the basin and captive utilities such as water and power.

Indigenous Ship Owners Seek Control Of Coastal Trade

The Nigerian Ship owners Association (NISA) has urged the Federal Government to enforce the Cabotage Act, otherwise known as the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act.
Speaking through its General Secretary; Capt. Niyi Labinjo, the group said in Lagos yesterday that the enforcement of Cabotage law would enable domestic ship owners to effectively participate in the coastal trade and commerce.
According to him, the implementation of the laws would enhance the capacity of indigenous ship owners grow and dominate coastal business in the country.

NPA To Pay Govt. N6.3 Bn As Operating Surplus --- Fiscal Commission

Owes federation N6.3bn as operating surplus for 2007, 2008 ---- Commission
"We have opened a special account in which N300 million will be paid into it monthly – NPA
 

The acting Chairman of Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC); Mr Victor Muruako has disclosed that  the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is owing the federation N6.3 billion as operating surplus for years 2007 and 2008.
Muruako made the disclosure yesterday in Abuja at a roundtable with the management staff of the NPA to reconcile and address certain discrepancies in the audited financial statements of the organisation.
He told the NPA delegates to the account reconciliation meeting that it was unfair for the NPA, a major non-oil revenue agency of the federal government to fail in its duty of remitting 80 per cent of its operating surplus into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

ISPS CODE: Uncertainty Over Fate Of 58 Terminals, Jetties

• NIMASA Begins Clampdown Today
After several extension of implementation deadlines, the Nigerian Maritime Adminisrtation and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has said that it would commence a massive clampdon on port and terminal facilities that rna foul of International Ships and Port facility Code (ISPS) with effect from yesterday (Sunday).
The NIMASA, which assumed the status of Designated Authourity (DA) fir the ISPS Code implementation in Nigeria on May 21, 2013 have been battling with the challenge of enforcing total compliance.
The delayed action apparently instigated the United States Coast Guard to issue a diplomatic note in which it declared that many facilities in Nigeria fell short of basic ISPS Code requirements.

Replacement Rumour: I Am Still In Charge --- Customs CG; Dikko

Comptroller General of Customs; Diko Abdulahi Inde arriving at
the Apapa Area 1 command in Lagos yesterday
 

...Commends Officers On PAAR implementation
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi yesterday seized the opportunity of a scheduled visit to Lagos to clear the air on latest media  report that government was scouting for his replacement.

The Customs boss told reporters at the end of a closed door meeting with senior officers from Lagos commands that, the reports were mere rumours.

"I still say it today to whoever cares to listen, that today, customs is the best service in Nigeria", Dikko bragged.
Dikko assured his officers after the meeting which held at the Apapa area command that despite rumours that government was shopping for his replacement, he is still very much in the saddle as Comptroller General of the Customs.

ANLCA Brings In Sambo, Iweala, Diko, For Commissioning Of N150 Million Secretariat, 60th Anniversary

Even as the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) sets to mark its 60 years anniversary tomorrow (Friday) the association says it is celebrating the event with the official commissioning of its newly national secretariat.

In an exclusive chat with Shipping Position Daily in his office yesterday, ANLCA National President; Prince Olayiwola Shittu disclosed that the association has so far spent a whooping N150million on the secretariat project.

Shittu also said that as part of activities to mark the 60th Anniversary celebration of ANLCA, the association plans to hold a Gala Night at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Festac Town, Lagos, also on Friday.

According to him, dignitaries who have indicated interest to attend the function include: the Vice President of the Federal Republic;

EBOLA: Liberia Bans Sailors' Shore Leave At Her Ports

Liberia has denied any crew to disembark from ships at the country's four seaports due to the Ebola crisis.
Liberia says it will deny permission for any crew to disembark from ships at the country's four seaports until the Ebola epidemic ravaging West Africa was under control.
Sailors on commercial ships can normally ask for a 'show pass' allowing them to get off the vessel and access the port but the documents are being withdrawn to curb the spread of the virus, said Matilda Parker, head of Liberia's ports authority.
“For vessels coming in we have cancelled show passes. Absolutely no one from on board vessels will be allowed down”,she said.
The country's four seaports, including the Freeport of Monrovia, would adopt a 'zero tolerance' approach, Parker said, against an outbreak which has claimed 1500 lives since the start of the year

EBOLA: European Shipowners Increase Freight Rates On Nigerian-bound Cargoes

European ship owners have made good their threat to increase freight rates on cargoes and also impose surcharge on crew and vessels coming Nigeria and other countries that are currently battling to contain the deadly Ebola Virus Disease in the West African sub-region.

Shipping Position Daily had previously published reports of a likely freight rates hike on cargoes coming to Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea at the onset of the speared 

The confirmation of the hike was discloses last weekend in Lagos by former chief executive officer of Nigerian Shippers Council  and Nigerian Ports Authourity and currently President of Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS); Chief Adebayo Sarumi at a members evening programme.

Indigenous Oil Tanker Owners May Be Out Of Jobs By 2015

• IMO Single Hull Vessels Phase Out Draws Near

Following the International Maritime Organization (IMO) decision to phase out all single-hull crude tankers by year 2015, investigations have revealed that Nigerian indigenous oil tanker owners may suffer a major blow from the decision as 90 percent of oil vessels operating on Nigerian waters are single hull.
A reliable source at the nation’s apex regulatory agency; Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) told Shipping Position Daily last week that "90% of the tankers on Nigerian waters are single hull and by this time next year they will be phased out".
According to him, except the government proposes a way out of the dilemma, the country's petroleum sector will be in serious trouble because apparently there is no replacement for these vessels.