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Bello: Competitiveness Of Nigerian Ports Is Our Goal At Shippers Council

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COST REDUCTION: Shippers Council threatens action against companies, operators, over arbitrary charges

Barrister Hassan Bello is a name that shipping companies and terminal operators may love and dread. As the Executive Secretary of the nation’s maritime economic regulatory body, the Nigerian Shippers Council, he has ensured compliance with rules and transparency needed to enthrone Ease of Doing Business and reduce cost of doing business at the gateways.

His insistence on right charges may cause shipping companies and Terminal operators to refund several billions of Naira to the government as illegal charges, if the Supreme Court upholds the judgement of lower courts on the matter. In this interview with Business Monitor, Bello said he was ready to take a step further to abolish container deposit charges by shipping companies, adding that the proposed registration of port operators would enable the council to guarantee importers of the return of empty containers to the shipping companies.

The Nigerian Shippers Council wants to register the nation’s shippers at a controversial fee. Are you not going to further fuel the cost of doing Business in the ports by such costly and controversial gesture?

Our target is actually to reduce the cost of doing Business in the ports. In fact, we are working towards a large reduction in the cost of doing business, but how can we guarantee somebody except we first get him registered with us? It’s actually a very simple matter. We are not adding to the cost of doing business in the port. We have listened to the stakeholders and we know we have to reduce the cost and this we have already done. To some extent, it was initially high. But the Shippers’ Council is always working harmoniously with stakeholders. That was why the initial sum was slashed. We have since commenced with the registration. Some have been coming to register; some did theirs online; and some even registered manually; and we are happy that it’s not anything controversial. Every relevant stakeholder must be registered; and it is for the benefit of the people that we are registering them.

Also read:  Export Boost: Shippers Council to liaise with other agencies, and collaborate with CWEIC

Are you now saying that with your registration, container deposit charges will disappear?

That is one thing we are going to target. We are going to proceed by talking with the shipping companies and we tell them: ‘look, we have the database of every person’; and so, there’s no point in collecting Container Deposit. Of course, our stakeholders complain of multiple registrations and I agreed with them; but sometimes we need to understand that each registration is for different purposes. For the freight forwarders for example, we are not going to insist that every freight forwarder should register with us; but any company with several freight forwarders in the company, that company will suffice. We aren’t going to duplicate the work of the Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (CRFFN), but we want to ensure that every big time freight forwarder is captured; what he does, especially his relationship as an agent with the shipper.

We also want to know the Shippers, in terms of who bring in which things. We want to know their addresses; if you are a regular exporter, we should have your data so as to provide and deliver service to you. We have a general framework, and so we will be able to effectively raise the bar on ease of doing business in Nigeria.

Anyone who looks at the structure and the mission of the Nigerian Shippers Council knows that naturally, it should be the number one organization within the industry, pursuing a one-stop shop convenience; because nobody would benefit more than the Nigerian Shippers. What is Shippers Council doing towards that?

We are a part of the many agencies that have continuously said there should be one government’s Executive Order, not only on the Ease of Doing Business, but also a one-shop platform. Our target is to entrench it; and once we can translate this to the National Single Window, the whole of issue of cargo facilitation at the port and other trading point will be simplified.

It will be transparent and we can also close the gap on loss of revenue. Our simplification of processes is very attractive to Shippers. Nigeria cannot lead with this cumbersome clearance procedures, with a primitive clearance procedure that we have now; and a 100 percent examination on cargo; more so, with having all the agencies coming together to do that and the very slow way of doing things. It is highly instructive. Other ports that are competing with Nigeria have gone way forward; we have to beat the challenges. More so, when out of all cargoes destined for all West Africa, Nigeria is the target for 70 percent.

How come we don’t have that hub status?  Sometimes it is because of our procedures or processes; they are not only opaque but, they are sometime tedious and primitive. Right now, in Nigerian Shippers Council, we are not going to pretend on issues of examination of cargo; and I’m glad Nigeria Custom Service is always there for examination. I will not say it is so for others. Honestly speaking, because we have had occasion to go and inspect cargo clearance and we found one or two important agencies were not there

So, we are doing a lot to see that these things are harmonized. Let us entrench ease of doing business; so that even if sometimes, the people who own the cargo are not be there, or the freight forwarders are not there, the clearing can still go on.

So, this joint inspection is very crucial. We also need to look at what I may call uncomplimentary things that happened at the port. Sometimes, the Shippers want his cargo to be examined, but the cargo is not positioned. We should ask: ‘why is it not positioned for examination?’

 

…To be Continued 

 

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Customs Onne Beats Target, Impounds 7 Containers Worth N11.2bn Contraband

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Customs Onne Beats Target, Impounds 7 Containers Worth N11.2bn Contraband

… Records ₦312,094,367,124.58 half-year revenue profile, a 50.5 per cent of the annual target

The Nigeria Customs Service Area 2 Command Onne has again recorded another significant interception and seizure of Seven Containers estimated at ₦11,200,000,000.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) Area 2 Command, Muhammed Babandede stated this at the weekend, highlighting the contents as 1,054,400 bottles of different cough syrup codeine (100ml); 9,100 pieces of Chilly Cutter;

2,175,000 Hyergra tablets (200mg); and 1,300,000 tablets of Really Extra Diclofenac Pain Relief tablets (50mg).

“In line with the CGC policy thrust of Collaboration and Consolidation, the Command on receipt of creditable intelligence on some 40 feet containers sprang into action”, Comptroller Babandede said, describing the importers as “unpatriotic people who do not have the interest of our Nation at heart”.

“In collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Onne Port Chapter these containers were Identified, positioned and jointly examined in the presence of sister agencies.

“In line with the CGC policy thrust of Collaboration and Consolidation, the Command on receipt of creditable intelligence on some 40 feet containers sprang into action”

“The above seizures are estimated at Eleven billion, Two million naira (₦11,200,000,000.) which represents a huge loss on the part of those involved despite the fact of a jail term that awaits any of them who will be arrested as a result of further investigation.

“It is worrisome that some Nigerians remain unrepentant even as they continue to lose. The Seized Cough Syrup Codeine and Tablets would be handed over formally to the NDLEA in due course for further investigation”, the CAC indicated, reiterating the resolve of the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly the Area 2 Command, Onne under the present Comptroller General of Customs not to tolerate any action that compromises the economy and security of the nation.

Speaking on revenue issues, Babandede said the Command raked in ₦312,094,367,124.58 within the first half year and remained focused on making the second part of the year more fruitful.

“In the area of Revenue, the Command in the first half of the year generated a total of Three Hundred and Twelve Billion, Ninety-Four Million, Three Hundred and Sixty-Seven Thousand, One Hundred and Twenty-Four naira and Fifty Eight Kobo (₦312,094,367,124.58) which translate to 50.5 per cent of the annual target given to the Command. 

“As of this morning, the Command has generated Forty-Eight billion, Fifty Six Million, Eight hundred and Six Thousand, Six hundred and Ninety-Two naira ₦48,056,806,692.00 in July and we still have five working days left in the month.

“We are determined to increase our revenue profile and at the same time work tirelessly in protecting public health and safety”, Babandede further stressed.

He assured that notwithstanding the challenging security situation in the Country,  the Area 2 Command will continue to step up its security function in the area of policing the Sea Port in such a way that those who do not wish Nigeria well will not have their way.

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EFCC: Tinubu Appoints New Chairman, Secretary, Following Bawa’s Resignation 

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President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr Ola Olukoyede as the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

This is for a renewable term of four years in the first instance, pending Senate’s confirmation.

Ajuri Ngelale noted that this is in accordance with the powers vested in the president as established in section 2 (3) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.

The act states: “The Chairman and members of the Commission, other than ex-officio members, shall be appointed by the President.”

EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede

Olukoyede is a lawyer with over 22 years of experience as a regulatory compliance consultant and specialist in fraud management and corporate intelligence.

He has extensive experience in the operations of the EFCC, having previously served as the Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman (2016-2018) and Secretary to the Commission (2018-2023).

Ngelale said that Olukoyede’s appointment followed the resignation of the suspended Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa.

He said that Tinubu also approved the appointment of Mr Muhammad Hammajoda to serve as the Secretary of the commission for a renewable term of five years in the first instance, pending Senate’s confirmation.

Hammajoda is a public administrator with extensive experience in public finance management, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Maiduguri.

EFCC arrests 23 suspected internet fraudsters in Enugu

He began his career as a lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi.

From there, he went into banking, including successful stints at the defunct Allied Bank and Standard Trust Bank.

Tinubu tasked the new leadership of the EFCC to justify the confidence given to them in this national assignment.

The president said the appointment would re-invigorate the war on corruption based on a reformed institutional architecture.

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Nunc Dimittis: Buhari Advocates Regular Gulf of Guinea Summit To Ensure Peace, Security

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Nunc Dimittis: Buhari Advocates Regular Gulf of Guinea Summit To Ensure Peace, Security

…In last address as Nigeria’s President at 3rd Extraordinary Assembly Session of Heads of State***

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Accra, Ghana, identified regular meetings amongst countries that make up the Gulf of Guinea Commission, as a critical route towards achieving peace and security in the region.

Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s spokesman in a statement, said the president was speaking for the last time as Nigeria’s President at the 3rd Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC), taking place in the Ghanaian capital.

According to the Nigerian leader, the theme of the Session “Building a Safe, Secure and Prosperous Gulf of Guinea Region for Sustainable Development“, is quite apt and significant towards addressing the challenges in the region.

He said: ”We must remain committed to our regular GGC Summits and the Extraordinary Sessions and use these deep-seated fundamental platforms to essentially continue to work out key modalities that could afford us the opportunity to discuss, identify, support strategies and develop capacities to achieve peace, security and prosperity in the Gulf of Guinea Region.”

While reiterating Nigeria’s commitment and steps towards fighting maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea, Buhari encouraged member countries to enact laws against piracy and other criminal acts as Nigeria has done.

He expounded on steps so far taken by the country to further show its steadfastness to the revitalisation and strengthening of the GGC in order to achieve set objectives.

According to him, Nigeria hosted the 5th Ordinary Summit of the Gulf of Guinea Commission on Oct. 13, 2022, in Abuja as a demonstration of Nigeria’s strong commitment towards the repositioning of the GGC into a more vibrant organisation that will effectively deliver on its mandate.

He noted that at the 5th Ordinary Summit, the Assembly adopted policy decisions towards revitalising the Commission.

“Nigeria considers the effective and optimal function of the GGC as strategic to the global security interests in the Gulf region. These commitments include addressing issues of Piracy, Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Protection of Marine Resources as well as Irregular Migration to the Region,” he said.

The president noted that in June 2019, Nigeria’s National Assembly passed the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act, 2019 (POMO Act).

According to Buhari, the bill aims to prevent and suppress piracy, armed robbery and any other unlawful acts against any ship lawfully operating in the Gulf Region.

“Nigeria continues to deploy significant resources towards tackling Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. In June 2021, the Government of Nigeria unveiled 195 million dollars worth of Boats, Vehicles and Aircraft to spearhead the country’s fight against Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea through the Deep Blue Project,” he added.

The Nigerian leader used the occasion to express his appreciation to President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, the Chairperson of the Assembly, for the invitation.

He also lauded Amb. Florence Ukonga, the Nigerian outgoing Executive Secretary of the GGC and her Management Team for their dedication and selflessness in the discharge of their functions.

He especially commended the dignified way the Ambassador had faced the daunting financial challenges in a way that it did not compromise the integrity of the organisation, urging member countries to be alive to their financial commitments and responsibilities.

Buhari further lauded the team for elevating “the status of the GGC to such a level that enables it to partner with the African Union to implement some of her sub-regional programmes on maritime security, safety and sustainable developmental issues with profound impact on Central and West Africa.

“We very much look forward to May 15, 2023, when the proposed joint Africa Naval Exercise of the Commission would take place in Lagos.”

In his welcome address, President Nana Akufo- Addo expressed his delight at the physical Summit, after several virtual meetings since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He reminded delegates of the challenges the Commission faced, enjoining member states to promptly discharge their financial obligations to enable it fulfill its statutory responsibilities.

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