Customs To Sack 66 Officers For Drug Addiction—CG

Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (retd), yesterday said 66 officers found to be hooked on hard drugs would be eased out.
Ali disclosed this while addressing officers and men of the Plateau/Benue Area Command of the service in Jos.

Transport Minister; Amaechi ‎Promises To Empower Shippers’ Council As Port Economic Regulator

Minister of Transport; Mr Rotimi Amaechi being received  on arrival for an official visit to the corporate head office of the Nigerian Shippers Council by the Executive Secretary; Mr Hassan Bello on Monday

‎...As Executive Secretary;  Bello Begs For  Exclusion From TSA    
Minister of Transport; Mr. Rotimi Amaechi has assured that his office will pay more attention to ensuring that the Nigeria Shippers Council is empowered to regulate‎ all the stakeholders in the maritime sector efficiently.
Amaechi gave this assurance when he visited the agency on Monday. He was full of commendations for the Council, saying that he will learn more from the Shippers Council on how to push the industry forward.
At an interactive session with the staff of the council, he charged them to support the government to achieve its fight against corruption and engender a more stable economy for all Nigerians to participate in.

Amaechi Suspends Work On NIMASA University‎; Okerenkoko

From left: Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika; Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and Acting Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro, during the facility visit by the Ministerial delegation to NIMASA Resource Centre at Kirikiri, Lagos… on Monday
 

Minister of Transport; Mr. Rotimi Amaechi has ordered that further construction works at‎ the Nigerian Maritime University in Okerenkoko in Delta State should be suspended for now.
The maritime university and the shipyard project are being spearheaded by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) under the former Director General; Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi.
Amaechi stated this when he held a meeting with management staff of NIMASA as part of his familiarization tour of Lagos ports and maritime agencies on Monday.

Amaechi Lampoons NIMASA, Demands Financial, Staff Audit

R-L Managing Director ,Nigerian Ports Authority ,Habib Abdullahi leading the Hon. Minister of Transportation Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amechi to inspect facilities at the NPA during the ministers' maiden working visit to Lagos.

•Demands to know how NIMASA spends N100b annual budget

The Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi has expressed strong dissatisfaction at the Nigerian‎ Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) over the infrastructural decay at the agency's Search and Rescue Coordinating Centre located at Kirikiri, Lagos.
A visibly angry Amaechi equally ordered the Acting Director General of NIMASA‎, Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro to furnish his office with up-to -date financial records and all contracts signed and executed by NIMASA since 2007.

Anxiety As NPA Sets To Sack 5000 Dockworkers This Week

 • Stevedoring Contractors In Last Minute Lobby To Reverse Decision
• Tally Clerks, Onboard Security Yet To Receive Payment

There appears to be no going back on the decision by the Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA) to stop further payments to about 5000 stevedores who are currently engaged in five of the nation’s seaports.
The ports are: Lagos port, Tin Can Island port, Onne port, Rivers port and Calabar port. The affected stevedores are all members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN).
Shipping Position Daily confirmed last week that, stevedoring companies have stepped up their lobby

EFCC Invites Tompolo Over N13b NIMASA Land Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission yesterday invited former Niger Delta warlord, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, over a N13 billion land scam involving the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.

MAN Oron Rector; Joshua Okpo, ANLCA Chieftain; Chuks Kanikwu Dead

Tragedy struck twice in the Nigerian maritime industry on Tuesday as two prominent stakeholders died.
The first to be acknowledged was that of Rector of Maritime Academy ‎of Nigeria (MAN) in Oron, Akwa Ibom State; Mr Joshua Okpo.
He reportedly died in his hotel room in Abuja while preparing for a scheduled appointment.
While the news of Okpo’s demise filtered-in late on Tuesday, that of a frontline clearing agent and member of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA); Mr. Chuks Kanikwu was broken early yesterday.

Nigerian Pirates Release Five Polish C

Five crew members kidnapped from a Polish-owned cargo last month off the coast of Nigeria are heading home, according to Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo.
The captain and four crew members of the Cyprus-flagged MV Szafir were kidnapped by pirates at about 11 p.m. on November 26th. According to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre, pirates in two

MAN Oron Rector; Joshua Okpo Is Dead

Joseph Okpo

The embattled Rector of the Maritime Academy ‎of Nigeria (MAN) in Oron Akwa Ibom State is dead. Okpo died in Abuja on Monday in his hotel room in Abuja.
Before his death on Tuesday around 2pm, the late MAN Oron Rector was reported to be under investigation by the Minister for alleged high scale fraud he committed at the academy.

NPA Advocates Diversion Of Petroleum Vessels Out Of Lagos

Managing Director ‎of NPA, Mallam Habib Abdullahi

The Nigerian Ports Authority has called on the Federal Government to consider ensuring that petroleum cargoes coming into Lagos State are diverted to other ports across the country because the State is already congested.
Managing Director ‎of NPA, Mallam Habib Abdullahi made this call in Lagos on Monday while addressing members of Senate Committee on Marine Transport led by its Chairman, Senator Sanni Yerima during a stakeholders meeting in Lagos.

N1.5billion Stalling Completion Of Tin Can Holding Bay ----Senate Committee

L-R: Senator Isiaka Adeleke former Governor of Osun State, General Manager Western Ports of NPA, Chief Michael Ajayi, Chairman Senate Committee on Works, Senator Kabiru Gaya and Chairman Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Ahmed Sanni Yerima during an on-the-spot assessment of the‎ Tin Can port holding bay by the marine committee yesterday

Four years after the project was slated to be delivered but it was not, the Chairman of Senate Committee on Marine Transport;  Senator Sanni Yerima has revealed that the contract for the construction of the Second Liverpool Bridge and the 400-capacity truck bay was being delayed because of N1.5billion government  being owed the contractor.
‎The contract was awarded by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Works to Messrs Borni Prono Construction Company in 2009 at the cost of N8.6 billion, to ease the traffic congestion around the Tin Can Port.

CMA CGM Delmas Boss Throws Weight Behind CTN, Says It Will Help Nigeria

Head of Complaint Unit of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr. Fadipe Moses (3rd from right) and Managing Director, CMA CGM Apapa, Mr. Tadd Rives flanked by other officials of the Council and CMA CGM when the Shippers Council team visited the Shipping company in Lagos last week.

…As Shippers’ Council sets to launch standard operating procedures at portThe rank of stakeholders who have thrown their weights behind the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) has swollen.  It has been endorsed by the chief executive officer of CMA CGM Apapa Office, Mr. Todd Rives.
Endorsing the ICNT last week, Mr Rives categorically stated that the CTN, currently being implemented by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council will help Nigeria by ensuring that there is a single cargo traffic data.

EFCC Arraigns Akpobolokemi, Ex-NIMASA DG And Nine Others For Alleged N1.153 Billion Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission today December 3, 2015 arraigned a former Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Patrick Ziadeke Akpobolokemi; and seven other staff of the agency including Captain Eziekiel Agaba,  Executive Director, and their two companies before  Justice Salihu Sa'idu of the Federal High Court Lagos on a 30- count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraudulent conversion of funds and Money Laundering.

Others are Ekene Nwakuche, Felix Bob-Nabena, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, Governor Amechee Juan, Ugo Frederick, Timi Alari, Alkenzo Limited and Penniel Engineering Services Limited

Customs Gives Dec.31 Deadline For Removal Of Abandoned PHCN’s Equipment From Ikorodu Terminal

Successor companies that took over assets and liabilities of the defunct PHCN must remove their abandoned imported electricity equipment from Ikorodu Lighter Terminal before end of this year or forfeit them to the Federal Government.
Assistant Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in charge of Zone A, Mr Eporwei Edike gave the ultimatum on Wednesday while on a visit to the terminal at Ikorodu, which the Nigeria Customs Service uses as its warehouse for overtime cargoes.

Shippers Advocate Scrapping Of SONCAP Certificate

The Shippers’ Association of Lagos State (SALS) has called on the Federal Government to scrap the Standards Organization of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme, also known as SONCAP, saying that it not relevant for the assessment of goods imported into the country.

The SONCAP is a product conformity scheme whose objective is to help ensure that products exported to Nigeria meet minimum standard. This will help ensure that Nigerian consumers are not exposed to potentially unsafe and sub-standard goods.

SON Destroys N10bn Worth Of Substandard Goods

Deputy President of NAGAFF; Mr. Oluwole Adeyemi presenting the  NAGAFF Fellow Certificate to the Director General, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON); Dr. Joseph Odumodu, while Founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam (L) looks on during DG’s  visit to NAGAFF village yesterday

Director General of Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON); Dr. Joseph Odumodu said that the agency destroyed goods worth N10 billion in the last four years, even as he urged freight forwarding associations to collaborate with the agency  to rid the country of sub-standard and fake goods.

Odumodu disclosed this yesterday during his official visit to the Headquarters of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) in Lagos.
He said that the items were destroyed from 2011 to date.

ANLCA Makes U-Turn, Teams Up With NAGAFF To Okay Cargo Tracking Note Implementation

After weeks of sitting on the fence, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) yesterday openly declared its support for the implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN).
In a joint press release with its sister association; the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, the ANCLA stated pointedly that, ‘’whoever is against ICTN has an ulterior motive and should be treated as enemy of trade facilitation, safety and security of the nation’’.
In the press release which was made available to Shipping Position Daily and was jointly signed by presidents of the two associations, namely: Prince Olayiwola Shittu (ANLCA) and Dr Eugene Nweke(NAGAFF) respectively, they  concurred that ‘’the benefits of ICTN far outweigh its administrative costs.’’

Apapa Customs Intercept 576kg Of Hard Dru‎gs At APM Terminal, Apapa Port

One out of the ten containers of hard drugs intercepted by the Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service‎ which was displayed in Apapa yesterday.

The Apapa Command of the Nigeria‎ Customs Service has intercepted 576kg of drugs concealed inside 10 containers of food items that were destined for South Africa, but transiting through the APM terminals in Apapa.
The customs said the containers were intercepted based on intelligence report received from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). One person has also been apprehended in connection with the seizure.
The drugs; Ephedrine and Amphetamine were loaded inside 17 jerry cans and distributed into 10 containers carrying foodstuff including such as  gari, beans and cartons of indomie noodles.
On examination, one of the containers with number PCIU10548616 was discovered with the harmful drugs.

Customs Set To Replace Obsolete Scanners At Ports

•As Comptroller Edike Steps Out Gwani Steps In Apapa Area Controller
 The Nigeria Customs Service have said that it is working assiduously ‎to ensure that the obsolete scanning machines at the Nigerian ports and border stations are replaced and working.
Acting Zonal Coordinator Zone A of Customs, Compt Charles Edike stated this in a chat with members of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in Lagos yesterday
Before his recent promotion as Acting Zonal Coordinator Zone 'A’, Edike had held sway at the Apapa Command of Customs as its controller. He officially handed over yesterday to the most senior Deputy Controller at the command; Gwani Maitizumahs.

NASS Announces Chair Of Maritime Sector Committees

...Reps Splits Marine Transport Committee Into Two
The long wait on the National Assembly for names of the members of the marine transport committee of both the Senate and the House of Representatives ended yesterday.
While the lower chamber had earlier announced chairmen of its various statutory committees, the Senate President also yesterday unfolded the headships of the Upper Chamber’s committee.
The Marine Transport Committee of the Senate is headed by former Governor of Zamfara State; Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima. Members of the committees were not immediately announced.

TSUNAMI IN CUSTOMS: “We Were Forced To Resign”- Retired Customs DCG

One of the five Deputy Controllers-General of Customs who reportedly voluntarily retired from Service last week, has opened up on the circumstances that led to their controversial exit. He told Shipping Position Daily exclusively that, contrary to the widely- circulated belief that they voluntarily exited from the service, he and his colleagues were ‘forced’ to resign.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the ex-DCG confirmed that he and others had been under intense pressure since Col Hameed Ali (rtd) was appointed as the Comptroller General of Customs by President Muhammadu Buhari on August 27, 2015.

Apapa Customs Cries Out, Says Importation Is Dropping, Revenue Is Falling

From Left:  Deputy Controller In Charge Of Administration, Apapa Command, Nigeria Customs Service, Danaan G.G, Acting Area Commander and DPO Apapa Port CSP Sani Shuaibu And Controller, Apapa Command, Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Charles Edike At The Monthly Stakeholders Meeting Held, Yesterday In Lagos.
Pix By Wale Buraimoh

All is not rosy at the moment at the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, as revenue collection has dropped in the October 2015.

This was disclosed by the Controller in charge of the command, Comptroller Charles Edike during the monthly stakeholders meeting which held at the command in Lagos yesterday.

Comptroller Edike attributed the lull in revenue collection to the Central Bank of Nigeria policy, even as he disclosed that some cargoes at the terminals which serve as remnant are also trapped due to non- issuance of PAAR.

He told stakeholders who were at the meeting that: "The remnant are dwindling, reducing and so this month may not be rosy as in previous months, we also know that some cargoes are trapped in the ports, so many containers are also trapped in the port"

MT TANK, MT ELIXIR COLLISION TRAGEDY:

• Damage to the MT Tank following the collision. INSET: Damage to the bow of the MT Elixir.

‘Survivors Were Talking To Themselves For Three Hours, But NIMASA Wasn’t There To Help Them’---Victim’s Brother

Last Monday’s collision involving two tanker vessels; MT Tank and MT Elixir leading to unconfirmed number of casualties has continued to generate more revelations and controversies.
The latest revelation is coming from a brother to one of the missing crew members on board MT Tank; Engineer Imade Salami Augustine who alleged in a chat with journalists on Monday in Lagos that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) failed to show up at the scene of the incident for immediate search and rescue, even as he lampooned the agency for allegedly not carrying out proper investigations.

Crisis Hits Nigerdock Plc, Sacks 1,664 Workers

...MWUN Vows To Deal With Coy.

Trouble is currently brewing at Nigerdock Nigeria Plc, as the company's contracting firm, Prime Services Company has allegedly laid off a total of 1,664 Nigerian workers Shipping Position Daily has confirmed.

The lay off was allegedly carried out because the workers were demanding for a pay rise after five years of Casualization of labour without increment in remuneration.

Nigerdock Nigeria Plc is an industrial corporation focused on Oil & Gas construction and major marine services including offshore and pressure vessel fabrication, ship building and repair, and specialized Oil & Gas and Maritime support.

NIMASA Reiterates Commitment To Resettle IDP's, Dead Soldiers Children

Coming on the heels of an appeal made few weeks ago by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai that Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and other organizations should assist with the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) NIMASA has assured that it is pursuing this vigorously.

Deputy Director of Public Relations of NIMASA, Hajia Lami Tumaka at an event in Lagos on Tuesday‎ said that the agency is taking huge steps to resettle the IDP's and to absolve the children of soldiers who died in their fight against Boko Haram in some of NIMASA's programmes.

Dockworkers Death: NIMASA ‎to Sanction Five Star Logistics ‎Terminal

There are indications that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)‎ may have resolved to sanction Five Star Logistics Terminal at the Tin Can Island port for lacking in good health care and safety standard of workers in their environment.

This is coming against the backdrop of deaths of two dockworkers within the terminal in two weeks.

The victims are Samson Oheha who died in an accident on Sept. 19. E leven days after the death of Oheha another dockworker
was killed in an accident when  heavy metal pipes fell on Mr Pius Itahon a 62-year-old grandfather, who later died before he could get to the hospital.

FG Approves November 2, 2015 As Take-off Date For CTN

…Shippers’ Council Notifies Shipping Lines, Consignees, Others

There are strong indications that the Advance Cargo Information System, otherwise called International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) will formally become a component of the Nigerian cargo importation procedure as from November 2, 2015.
The CTN is a global information system that concerns carriage of all goods and transactions on carriage by sea.
Ahead of commencement, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has already notified all carriers, shipping lines, shipping lines agencies, cargo owners, consignees and other stakeholders of the imminent take-off next month.

Cargo Tracking Note Will Check Under-declaration, Concealment, Others At Ports --- Shippers Council Boss

Group photograph of the management team of Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the Nigeria Customs Service when the latter visited last Thursday in Lagos

Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council; Mr Hassan Bello has assured that the imminent introduction of advanced cargo information system, also known as Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) will eradicate the rampant cases of sharp practices in the nation’s seaports.
Bello gave this assurance last Thursday when he received the Comptroller General of Customs; Col Hameed Ali (rtd) at the Council’s corporate head office in Apapa, Lagos.

Customs CG; Ali Replies Senate, Says Most Rice Miller's Are Impersonators

After being summoned by the Senate last week for daring to 'lift ban' on the importation of rice through the land borders, the Customs Comptroller General, Hameed Ali Ibrahim has said that he only "lifted the restrictions" that customs had earlier placed on rice imports through land borders.
Ali‎ at a press briefing in Ikeja Lagos last Friday accused the lawmakers of not having adequate understanding of the situation, even as he accused most Nigerian millers who according to him are taking advantage of the waivers on rice imports, of being ordinary traders and not genuine millers.
The C boss told maritime journalists that it was necessary to remove the restrictions on rice importation through land borders because Customs was losing revenue while smugglers were having a field day by smuggling rice through neighbouring Benin Republic and Niger Republic.

Customs Boss Ali; Accuses Shipping Companies Of Masterminding Questionable Manifest

....Solicits support from Shippers Council

The Comptroller General , Nigeria Customs Services ,Colonel Hameed Ali (rtd) has faulted operations of multinational shipping companies in Nigeria saying that most of the shipping manifests of the consignments that they carry are surrounded with irregularities.

Ali made the allegation yesterday, during his visit to the Nigerian Shippers' Council in Lagos as part of his current interface with stakeholders in the maritime industry, even as he called for synergy among maritime agencies in ensuring that importation and exportation of consignment are properly documented.

Reps May Split Marine Transport Committee Into Two

There are indications that the House of Representatives may have spilt the Marine Transport committee into two as part of its move to create additional standing committees in the lower legislative chamber.
Our correspondent confirmed that, the leadership of the House, especially its Speaker; Yakubu Dogara has been convinced to increase the number its committees from 84 to 95.

Customs Orders Immediate Removal Of Rice From Import Restriction List At Land Borders

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), has ordered the immediate removal of rice from import restriction list and the re-introduction of import duty payment at land borders.
The Public Relations Officer of customs, Mr Wale Adeniyi, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said that the restriction was only applied at land border stations before now, adding that the customs boss had lifted restriction on rice at border stations.

Customs FOU Zone ‘C’ Comes Hard On Smugglers, Says It Will Not Be Deterred By Falsehood, Blackmail

Controller Federal Operations Unit, Zone ’C’, Owerri;
Comptroller Victor Dimka

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone‘C’ in Owerri , Imo state has come hard on those it called blackmailers and smugglers for carrying out a campaign of calumny against the Zone.
It declared yesterday at a press briefing in Owerri that it will not be deterred by falsehood and attempt to blackmail in its renewed onslaught against smuggling of contraband and fake goods, vehicles with fake documents, and other illegalities into the country especially into the zone.
Addressing newsmen on a recent publication, the Zone’s Public Relations Officer; Onuigbo Ifeoma raised alarm that, smugglers of fake drugs may have commenced a campaign of falsehood against the Zone.

Family Of Deceased Dockworker‘ll Be Compensated, Says Five Star Logistics Official

The Management of Five Star Logistics Terminal in Lagos on Monday said it would pay all entitlements of the dockworker, Mr Pius Ifah, who died on Sept. 30, to his family.
The Group Chief Accountant of Five Star Logistics, Mr Bashiru Adesina , who made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, noted that the management was waiting for the report of an investigation into the accident that claimed the life of the dockworker.
He said the company was used to observing safety standards in all its operations.
Adesina added that the company was aware of the occupational hazards and had serious concerns about safety.

Former NMA DG; Patrick Egesi Asks President Buhari To Scrap NIMASA Executive Directors Positions

...Urges FG To Pick Substantive DG‎ From Directors Cadre

Former Director General of  the Nigerian Maritime Administration‎ and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Sir John Patrick Egesi has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to scrap the posts of  Executive Director in the agency and  also look in the direction of  Directors and Assistant Directors in the agency for the appointment of  a substantive Director General for the agency.
Speaking exclusively with Shipping Position Daily last week, Sir Egesi who headed NIMASA (then National Maritime Authority) tasked President Buhari to discontinue political appointments at the apex maritime agency, saying that political appointees created what he called existing rot in the agency.‎

Cargo Ship clips bridge in Port Colborne, Canada

The 152 meter long, 8,388 tonne cargo vessel Lena J allided with a bridge in the Welland Canal at Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada.

The Lena J was en route to Burns Harbor,

Why We Engaged Global West Vessel Specialists – NIMASA DG

Chief of the Naval Staff; Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, presenting a plaque to the Acting Director General of NIMASA; Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro, when the NIMASA boss visited the Naval Head Quarters Abuja recently.

Acting Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro has disclosed that the need to ensure adequate security and safety of all business activities within the nation’s maritime domain led to the engagement of Global West Vessel Specialists Limited (GWVSL) on Public Private Partnership (PPP).
The NIMASA boss however explained that the contract with Global West was approved by the Federal Government.
Jauro made this disclosure when he visited the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas at the Naval Head Quarters Abuja recently.

Maritime Workers To Shut Ports Over Unpaid Salaries --Union

• MD, NPA; Alhaji Habib Abdulahi and • PG, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria; Comrade Tony Nted Emmanuel

•It’s Because Of TSA, We’ll Pay Next Week ---   NPA

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) yesterday threatened to shut down all the nation’s seaports on Friday, if the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) failed to pay six months outstanding salary arrears to its members.
The President-General of the union, Comrade Tony Nted Emmanuel, gave the threat in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Nted said the workers, including tally clerks and on-board security men were aggrieved over the unpaid salaries.

AS WORK RESUMES TODAY: Truck Owners Say Can’t Guarantee Free Flow Of Traffic On Roads Leading To Lagos Ports, Until…

General Manager; Western Ports of the Nigerian Ports Authority ; Chief Michael Ajayi  ( M) with the Permanent Secretary Lagos State Ministry of Transport; Mr Sewedu Oluseyi Whenu; the General Manager Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA); Mr Bashir Braimah; and leaders of the  various truckers associations and other government officials after a  recent meeting  to further  find lasting solution to the face-off between the truckers and Lagos state government, at the conference room of NPA Western Ports.

Lagosians who ply the two major access roads into Lagos port and who have had to contend with debilitating traffic as result of the call-off of the strike earlier embarked upon by truck drivers may enjoy no respite, even as work resumes today.
This is because the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) has said that unless the Lagos State Government provides the necessary infrastructures such as holding bays for trucks, the traffic gridlock will continue to be a problem on the state highways and the ports access roads.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that motorists had a herculean task approaching Lagos ports last week when truck drivers took over the Apapa end of the Apapa –Oshodi expressway and the Ikorodu road for days, in what their associations described as being caught in the rush to beat the 9pm to 6 am deadline given them by the Lagos state government.

US Embassy Warns Of Likely Boko Haram Attack On Lagos Ports

•        Customs circulates  suspects picture, restricts movement into command

Following a security alert issued by the United States Embassy that members of the dreaded Boko Haram terrorist sect are planning an attack on the port, there has been an unusual increase in the level of security checks at all access to the ports.

‎This is even as the PTML Terminals has banned clearing agents and freight forwarders from seating idle within its terminal.

Ijaw Youths Fault NIMASA Probe Panel On Employment, Promotions

Say agency is on ethnic cleansing agenda

Ijaw youths from Niger Delta continued their attacks on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency. This time, the youths faulted the setting up of a probe panel by the to review all employments and promotions under Goodluck Jonathan administration.
They condemned recent decision to probe only the tenure of the immediate past Director General of NIMASA, Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi as the Director-General of the agency was suspicious.
The youths, under the aegis of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Eric Omare, said the suspicion of the Niger Delta people was that the motive of the probe is to sack or unjustly demote employees of NIMASA who are of Niger Delta origin.

Unpaid Debts: AMCON Detains Oil Rig In Lagos

• Ship owners say abandoned rig accrues us$120,000 loss per day
 
Fresh indications have emerged that an oil rig; Oritsejolomi which has been abandoned for about two years on Nigerian waters at Marina Jetty may be losing about US$120,000 per day for sitting  idle.
Investigations by Shipping ?Position Daily revealed that the Nigeria-owned rig was impounded by the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) as a result of debts owed a particular first generation bank (names withheld) by its owners.
Even though he could not give the exact amount accruable to the Nigeria Ports Authourity (NPA) daily, General Manager Public Affairs of NPA; Captain Iheanacho Ebubeogu told our correspondent that the oil rig which has become a familiar sight in Marina,  pays some money to the agency every day it sits in the  waters.

At Last, Truck Drivers Shift Grounds, Agrees To Call Off Strike

•NPA appeals to terminal operators to waive demurrage

After almost two weeks of action, truck operators at Lagos seaports yesterday finally agreed to suspend their strike, go back to work and comply with the directive of the Lagos State Government on restriction of movement of their trucks.
A compromise was eventually reached with the truckers after a closed door stakeholders meeting held at the office of the General Manager Western Port of the Nigerian Ports Authority‎ (NPA); Chief Michael Ajayi.
Briefing press men at the end of the meeting, General Manager Public Affairs of NPA, Capt Iheanacho

EFCC Declares Importers Association Chairman; Okereke Wanted For Operating An Illegal Body

 Importers Association Chairman; Okereke

· Charges him  for running ilegal task force on small arms

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the director general of the National Task Force to Combat Illegal Importation of Small Arms, Ammunition, and Light Weapons, (NATFORCE) ; Chief  Emmanuel Osita Okereke, wanted for jumping bail.
Okereke, who is also the chairman of Importers Association and  former presidential aspirant under the platform of the Nigerian Liberation Party,  is being prosecuted by the EFCC on a six-count charge of impersonation, forgery and obtaining by false pretence.

TRUCK OWNERS, LASG FACE-OFF: NPA Talks Tough, Says Hauliers Deliberately Sabotaging Nigerian Ports

…As another Batch of 24 ships arrive at Lagos ports
After several failed efforts to get truck drivers who are currently on strike since last week, to go back, the Nigerian Ports Authority says it has realized that the truckers might be deliberately trying to sabotage Nigerian ports.
The NPA had intervened into the strike which began last week Tuesday after the Lagos State Government asked truck drivers to restrict their movements to between 9pm and 7am.
Speaking on our sister platform; Shipping Position Live on Star Fm 101.5 in Lagos yesterday, General Manager, Western Ports of the NPA, Chief Michael Ajayi alleged that the leadership of the truck drivers unions are unconcerned about investors losing their money to the strike action.

OJUELEGBA TRUCK TRAGEDY:

Court Remands Truck Owner In Prison Custody

An Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrates' Court has remanded Adeyanju Kilani, the owner of the articulated vehicle which fell of the bridge on Sept. 2, in prison custody.
The articulated vehicle carrying a 20ft container fell of the bridge and killed three people at Ojuelegba, Lagos.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Folashade Botoku, gave the ordered in Lagos on Tuesday.
Kilani, 50, was arraigned on a two-count charge of permitting his driver, one Wasiu Adeleke to drive without a valid driver's licence, MOT test and Road worthiness certificate.

Heads May Roll At NIMASA

FG Begins Review of Employment Under Former DG, Akpobolokemi  

 

The Federal Government has ordered that the Ministry of Transport should  commence immediate review of employments, placements and promotions embarked upon by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)  during the tenure of the immediate past Director General of the agency; Mr Ziakede Akpobolokemi.  Akpobolokemi was appointed DG of NIMASA in 2010.
Confirming the development yesterday,  NIMASA’s deputy director, Public Relations; Hajia Lami Tumaka added

MAN Oron Rector; Joshua Okpo Begins Mop-Up Of Evidences Of Alleged Fraud At Academy

• Summons heads of affected departments
•Orders immediate demolition of illegal structures

Following Shipping Position Daily newspaper’s scoop last Monday about the petition against him, by the Oron Youths Movement (OYM), the Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron; Mr Joshua Okpo has commenced frantic moves to wipe-off every trace of his alleged wrongdoings.
Shipping Position Daily confirmed authoritatively that panic, vengeance, and cover-up has set in at the Academy, and that the Rector has already summoned the deputy head of bursary (procurement) with an instruction to destroy all vouchers and memos that were mentioned and attached in the petition which was sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Engagement of Cargo Surveyors: MWUN Dares NPA

Union Says: Tally clerks must remain at ports

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Thursday said that it would not accept any decision by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to replace tally clerks with cargo surveyors at the ports.
President of the MWUN, Mr Tony Nted, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Nted said that while the tally clerks checked to ensure appropriate declaration of cargo at the ports to prevent avenues for revenue leakages, the cargo surveyor’s job was mainly to settle discrepancies when they arose.

FACE–OFF WITH LASG: Truck Drivers Abandon Trailers On Apapa-Oshodi Expressway

Many trucks were yesterday abandoned on the Apapa end of the Apapa-Oshodi expressway as the truck owners association ordered withdrawal of services in protest against the Lagos State Government order on restriction on trucks movements.
ShippingPosition Daily correspondent who visited the Tin Can Island Port and the Apapa Port yesterday‎ noticed that the trucks have already taken double lanes from Mile 2 to Tin Can Port and from Funsho Williams Avenue to the Apapa port.
Our correspondent also noticed that some of the drivers have started defecating openly on the expressway as a result of their passing the night in their trucks.

Nigerian Shippers Council to site dry port in Enugu

Enugu, Sept. 8, 2015 (NAN) The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr Hassan Bello, says the council has received approval to construct a dry port in Enugu State.
Bello made the announcement in Enugu on Tuesday when he led the management team on a courtesy call on Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
The executive secretary said the depot, which is equivalent to a seaport, when built, with its ancillary services, would impact on the economy of the state.
He said that the council would also build a truck transit park to provide temporary rest locations where truck drivers could conveniently park their vehicles.

Importers, Freight Forwarders Accuse Customs Officers Of Aiding Arms Importation

 ...Wants Shippers Council To Commence CTN Immediately

Importers under the aegis of Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) and freight forwarders under the aegis of Concerned Accredited Freight Forwarders Association (CAFFA) have alleged that officers of the Nigeria Customs Service aid and abet importation of arms and ammunitions, as well as other dangerous items into Nigeria

At a joint press briefing in Lagos yesterday, the importers and freight forwarders after signing a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) alleged that eighty percent of customs officers are clearing agents, even as they called on the new Comptroller General of the Customs Service, Col. Hameed Alli (rtd) to investigate and prosecute such officers.

Oron Youths Drag Rector, MAN Oron; Joshua Okpo Before EFCC

•Rector MAN, Oron; Mr Joshua Okpo and EFCC Chairman; Ibrahim Lamorde

• 32-page petition details alleged  Multi-billion Naira serial award of phoney contracts by  Rector

Less than three weeks after his re-appointment was challenged by some interests groups, the Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Orion in Akwa Ibom state; Mr Joshua Okpo has been dragged before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of financial recklessness.
In a petition which was signed by President of the Oron Youth Movement (OYOM); Comrade Joseph Ekong Enam and the Secretary of the Movement, Comrade Victor Mpofor, the youths accused the Academy’s Rector of sundry award of contracts running into Billions of Naira to individual employees of the institution.

NAGAFF Kicks Against Appointment Of Customs CG; Hameed Alli

 Customs CG; Hameed Alli

‎...Says the service needs a professional, not politician   

 

‎The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has kicked against the recent appointment of Col. Hameed Alli (rtd) as the new Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service.
In a six-page press release sent to Shipping Position Daily on Wednesday and signed personally by its founder; Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, the association described the appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari as political rather than professional.

FG Begins Probe Of NIMASA, Constitutes Verification Committee For Projects

The Federal Government may have commenced a subtle probe of all projects being undertaken by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Towards this, NIMASA’s supervisory Ministry of Transport has constituted a committee to carry out verification of all projects currently being executed by the agency.
The committee which has two weeks within which to conclude its assignment and report to the ministry is expected to visit the project sites of the Nigeria Maritime University, NIMASA Shipyard and Dockyard, NIMASA Science and Technical College and permanent sites of the six Institutes of Maritime Studies in six Nigerian Universities amongst others.

Nigerian Shippers’ Council Flags-off Sensitisation of Freight Forwarders On CTN Thursday

Executive Secretary Nigerian Shippers Council; Mr Hassan Bello

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) is set to hold a sensitization seminar for stakeholders in the freight forwarding sector over the introduction of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN)
A circular about the meeting which was cited by Shipping Position Daily indicated that the meeting is scheduled to take place on 3rd of September 2015 (Thursday) inside the training room of the Council headquarters in Apapa, Lagos
The letter with reference number: REF NSC/CSS/CM/006/VOL.1/362 stated tersely that‎, "We write to invite you to the above meeting scheduled to hold as follows: September 3rd, 2015 at NSC training room second floor by11am‎".

Produce Your Customs License: Stakeholders Dare NAGAFF

•    Former Customs CG; Alhaji Dikko Abdulahi  and     Founder of NAGAFF; Dr Boniface Aniebonam

•    "What is their problem…., NAGAFF is duly licensed by the Customs”---Dr Aniebonam
•    “Maybe there are two NAGAFFs”  ---- Customs Officer

 A cross section section of freight forwarders have expressed doubts about recent claim by the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) to the effect that it has been granted Customs operations license.
The NAGAFF had recently broken the news of the license and urged members of the association to take maximum advantage of the novel development. It also advised that other associations should take a cue from the development and be forward looking too.
The NAGGAF license is one of the few developments before the exit of the former Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi.
But, some members of rival associations have expressed doubts about the license; they challenged NAGAFF to produce the license, if truly it exists.

SON Denies Seeking Return To Ports

 ...Integrates SONCAP With Nigeria Customs‎ NCIS

The Standards Organization of ‎Nigeria (SON) has denied that it was trying to return into the ports, even as it said that it has integrated its Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) with the Nigeria Customs Integration System (NCIS)
Speaking at a stakeholder's sensitization seminar in Lagos yesterday, Director General of SON; Dr. Joseph Odumodu announced that SON has integrated its e-certificates into NCIS in order to make it easy for processing of SONCAP, Form M and the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR).
With this, he explained that SON no longer demands hard copies of SONCAP certificates from its stakeholders, saying that the process has been automated.

Anxiety Grips MWUN Over Imminent Downsizing At Nigerian Ports

•Union calls for reversal of rice, auto policies

 

The Dockworkers branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has expressed fear of imminent massive job loss by her members due to lack of activities at the various terminals across the country, a development occasioned by fall in the number of vessels calling at Nigerian ports.
President of the Dockworkers Branch of MWUN; Comrade Adewale Adeyanju in an interview with Shipping Position Daily in Lagos yesterday lamented that already some members of the union have lost their jobs at PTML and Flour Mills Nigeria Limited which recently sacked some workers.
He said that PTML terminals had sacked MWUN members under Shipping Branch and that 169 dockworkers were equally sacked by Flour Mills Nigeria Limited recently.

NIMASA Keys into Shippers Council, Niger Republic’s Multi-Million Tonnes Transit Cargo Deal

L-R: Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro, presenting a plaque to the Director General, Niger Republic Shippers' Council; Mr. Oumarou Issoufou when the Nigerian/Nigerien Joint Commission on Transit Cargo paid a courtesy visit to the Agency in Lagos recently.

...Assures Niger of seamless cargo transit

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has thrown its weight behind the multi-million tonnes cargo transit deal between Nigeria and its northern neighbour; Niger Republic.
Acting Director General of NIMASA; Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro has restated the Agency's commitment to remove all barriers to seamless facilitation of transit cargo to the Republic of Niger through Nigeria’s sea ports.