….In the Regulated Port Service Provider and Users platform 

The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has registered stakeholders in the maritime industry on its Regulated Port Service Provider and Users platform with the theme “Regulated Port Service Provider and Users” in Lagos. 

The Executive Secretary of NSC, Mr Pius Akutah, disclosed this at the sensitisation programme by the commission for port operators.

Akutah, ably represented by Director Consumer Affairs, Chief Cajetan Agu, said the sensitisation programme was the second edition after its commencement during the last quarter of 2023.

The CEO of NSC said that the 160 registered port operators consist of agencies, terminal operators, shipping companies, individual port users, as well as service providers.

“We invited the stakeholders of the port to enlighten them on the processes for online registration of Regulated Port Service Provider and Users.

“We have demonstrated to them how to register and how to make payment and we were able to present before them the various categories under the registration.

“The rate of payment is also in the registration. The payment of each group depends on the operation. A shipper pays N30,000, terminal operators and shipping companies pay N300,000, truckers also pay N30,000 while some pay N50,000 as well as N100,000.

“The council was able to intimate them on the benefits because port users benefit more as we help to interface for reducing port charges from time to time,” Akutah said.

He said that there was a need to continue to work with port operators to stop delays and also eliminate high costs to make the port efficient.

The Deputy Director, Stakeholders, Service, NSC, Mr Celestine Akujobi, said the sensitisation exercise was important for the council to enable us to bring all the port stakeholders together.

According to him, this is to avoid challenges which might unfold during the implementation of the council’s responsibilities.

“We are engaging other ports across the country and we hope that before the last quarter of 2024, the council will implement sanctions on the defaulting operators”

“By the time we introduce sanctions on defaulters, no operators will complain that he or she is not aware of the registration.

“I’m happy with the turnout of this sensitisation. This shows that the operators are well informed of the statutory fiction of the council as the port regulator.

“The final implementation will commence as soon as we ascertain that all the operators have keyed into the portal.

“We are engaging other ports across the country and we hope that before the last quarter of 2024, the council will implement sanctions on the defaulting operators,” Akujobi said.

The Vice Chairman of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwards (NAGAFF), Dr Ifeanyi Emoh said that port challenges were enormous. He noted that they originated from some government agencies.

Emoh urged the council to look into regulating other government agencies so that they could be a window where they collected port challenges collectively instead of indiscriminate charges.

The Member of the National Council of Managing Director of Licensed Customs Agents, Mr Abayomi Duyile, commended NSC, saying that the sensitisation would enable both the government agencies and port users to operate on the same level.

The Chairman, Board of Trustee (BOT), NEXUS Association of Maritime Truckers Operators (NAMTOP), Mr Raheem Morufu, said he had registered since November 2023, but found it difficult to register on the NSC portal.

“I’m now well informed after the training that everyone will register individually, regardless of their operations to be attended to when there is a challenge.

“I want to commend NSC for their intervention when the shipping companies overcharged me. I was able to be refunded N20 million after the intervention,” Morufu said.

In the meantime, Comptroller Michael Ugbagu has assumed office as the 28th Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit Zone C (FOUC) of the Nigeria Customs Service, Owerri. 

Comptroller Ugbagu took over from his predecessor, Comptroller Kayode Kolade in a simple ceremony in Owerri, on Friday. 

Comptroller Ugbagu thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs; Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and his entire management team, for the trust and confidence bestowed on him to pilot the affairs of the Unit. 

He equally thanked Comptroller Kolade for his “highly commendable “ achievements while he held sway and pledged continued compliance with established guidelines while discharging his duties. 

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 “ We will ensure compliance with the current import and export guidelines using intelligence and technology to drive our operations. 

 “ There will be watertight security against smuggling activities across the zone. Smugglers will be discouraged, frustrated and made uncomfortable, thereby making smuggling, duty evasion and warehousing of smuggled goods unattractive within the zone.

 “ This is an onerous responsibility and I will not let the Service down“ he said. 

He called for support and cooperation from the media and the general public to enable him carry out his new assignment. 

…Assures family that justice will be served  

The Customs Area Controller of Katsina Command, Comptroller Mohammed Umar, has on behalf of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, paid a condole visit to the family of late Customs Assistant II Auwal Haruna in his native home. Auwal Haruna tragically lost his life while on duty.

During the visit to the Kayawa community in Dutsi Local Government Area of Katsina State, Comptroller Muhammed Umar expressed his deepest sympathy to the family and members of the Kayawa community for the irreplaceable loss, recognising Auwal’s sacrifice in the line of duty.

 He emphasised that the Service lost a disciplined and well-dedicated officer.

The Area Controller assured the family of the deceased that the Service has initiated a thorough investigation to apprehend those responsible for the heinous act and would ensure justice is served.

The Chairman of Dutsi Local Government Area, Hon. Abdulrazzak Adamu, expressed gratitude on behalf of the deceased family members for the Service support during this challenging time and urged the Service to bring the culprits to book and ensure that justice is served.

The Katsina Area Command Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs, Tahir Balarabe confirmed that a moment of prayer was held for the eternal peace of the fallen hero, Auwal Haruna.