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Customs Boosts Nigeria – China Trade Reactions With Enlightenment Seminar

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  • As Ex-Rivers REC, 99 others are to face trial over N23.29b ‘bribe’

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Zonal Coordinator in Lagos, Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) Charles Edike has organized a comprehensive enlightenment seminar for the Chinese business community in Nigeria, following reports of their alleged infractions on the nation’s laws guiding exports and imports.

The exercise whose aim was to enhance the already existing bilateral trade agreement between Nigeria and the Republic of China,  as well as ensure that trade facilitation run smoothly, avoid delays and achieve  reduced cost of doing business, took place at the Chinese Embassy, Lagos.

Charles Edike

Charles Edike

“Whether these acts by the Chinese are out of ignorance or criminal tendencies, the need to educate them become more important at a time like this when everything is being done to fast track trade, improve revenue and eliminate delays from the ports”,  intimated Edike, highlighting that the seminar which held on the approval of the Comptroller General, Hameed Ali was in furtherance of Ali’s commitment to boosting trade facilitation.

“We believe if they do the right thing, the Nigeria and China economies will benefit immensely”, Edike stated further, affirming that there were indeed unconfirmed reports that some Chinese citizens were seen in Nigeria forests cutting trees for export, repackaging  Nigerian made products for export, as well as being involved in acts of Piracy.

“Doing the right things consistently pays and saves such importer a lot of time and cost. Do not be deceived by anybody. The laws are sacrosanct.

Wale Adeniyi

Customs PRO and Image Maker, Wale Adeniyi

“The guidelines are very clear. If you are not clear, contact the nearest Customs command and you will be guided”, he also said, stressing that there must be no excuses because none will be tolerated.

He told the participants that the Nigeria Custom Service, in this era is fully committed to implementing government economic policies and enforcing the Laws/Regulations guiding trade,; even as he re-emphasized that every kobo from revenue will be collected for government.

“The Nigeria Customs will not renege on revenue collection. We will collect every kobo that government is entitled to collect from exports and imports. We shall not collect more nor less. This is why we are here to let you know the laws and processes. There must be no excuses because none will be tolerated, please be guided, the Zonal coordinator stressed.
Edike also noted that apart from these, there were several cases of misconduct involving the Chinese as well as other nationals in Nigeria which the CGC was not happy about, hence the CGC’s approval of the training, to enable the Chinese people to address such developments and let them know the laws.

Speaking at the training session, the Chinese Consul General, Chao Xiaoliang stated that the training was needed to guide Chinese traders who were into export/import business either solo or in partnership with Nigerians to avoid being misled into illegal businesses.

It would be recalled that the Service generated N95, 760,763,642.04 in August 2016, which incidentally is so far, the highest revenue in 10 years despite Forex difficulty, low imports and general economic meltdown globally.

According to Edike, the feat became achievable following dogged adherence to reform and restructuring efforts put in place by the CGC.

In the meantime, about 100 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials are likely to face trial for indictment in the N23.29b bribe during the 2015 elections.

They will face internal disciplinary action before being handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for prosecution, The Nation learnt.

EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Magu and INEC Chairman  Mahmood Yakubu are to meet on the interim report on the scandal.

The report, The Nation learnt, indicts two Resident Electoral Commissioners – Gesil Khan, Mr. Slyvester Ezeani – 16 directors and 82 others.

Some of those indicted have refunded money and a few others have their assets confiscated by EFCC.

A source in the EFCC, who spoke in confidence, said: “We are set for the trial of the indicted INEC officials. We are making the interim report of our investigation available to INEC any moment from now.

“We have a major challenge in INEC. The electoral commission said its rules and regulations do not allow it to hand over the indicted officers to the EFCC for prosecution.

“It said once a report is filed by the anti-graft commission, the INEC management will invoke internal disciplinary mechanism since the allegations are on election matters.  After the disciplinary action, the EFCC can arraign them in court.

“We are trying to follow due process as much as possible. So far, INEC has cooperated in releasing all those invited for questioning.

“Once the EFCC and INEC chairmen meet in the next few days, we will then know where we are going.”

A National Commissioner, who spoke in confidence, said: “We are awaiting the report of the EFCC and when we get it, we will subject the affected officials to our internal process. We are operating in a democratic environment and we have to observe due process in whatever we are doing.

“So far, we have lived up to expectations in handing over any INEC officials implicated to EFCC for interrogation, we have not shielded anybody no matter how highly placed.

“We have also taken pre-emptive steps to check these 100 employees. We have exempted them from sensitive operations of the commission pending the conclusion of investigation and the outcome of their trial if any.

The EFCC has been probing the embattled former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, on her  alleged involvement in a $115m (N23, 299,705,000billion) 2015 poll bribery scandal.

About four oil firms, 14 directors of oil companies, two banks and some politicians are under probe.

Some INEC officials already grilled are REC Gesil Khan for allegedly collecting  N185, 842,000 out of a N681million bribe; Fidelia Omoile( Electoral Officer in Isoko-South Local Government Area of Delta State)—N112,480,000 ; Uluochi Obi Brown( INEC’s Administrative Secretary in Delta State)—N111,500,000; a former Deputy Director  of INEC in Cross River state, Edem Okon Effanga—N241,127,000 and the Head of Voter Education in INEC in Akwa Ibom, Immaculata Asuquo—N214,127,000.

Also, a retired INEC official, Sani Isa,  was grilled over alleged N 406,206,000 bribe allegedly collected on behalf of the deceased Resident Electoral Commissioner  (REC) in Kano State, Alhaji Mukaila Abdullahi.

Those grilled in Gombe are: Godwin Maiyaki Gambo Balanga, Bukar Alone Benisheik, Dukku, Jibril. B. Muhammed,Billiri, Dunguma Musa Dogona, Funakaye, Mohammed. A. Wanka, Kaltungo, Ishaku Yusuf, Kwami, Suleiman Isawa, Nafada, Babagana Malami, Shongom, and Nuhu Samuel, Y/Deba.

Additional report from Nation

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WAIVER CESSATION: Igbokwe urges NIMASA to evolve stronger collaboration with Ships owners

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…Stresses the need for timely disbursement of N44.6billion CVFF***

Highly revered Nigerian Maritime Lawyer, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Igbokwe has urged the Nigeria Maritime Administration and safety Agency (NIMASA) to partner with ship owners and relevant association in the industry to evolving a more vibrant merchant shipping and cabotage trade regime.

Igbokwe gave the counsel during his paper presentation at the just concluded two-day stakeholders’ meeting on Cabotage waiver restrictions, organized by NIMASA.

“NIMASA and shipowners should develop merchant shipping including cabotage trade. A good start is to partner with the relevant associations in this field, such as the Nigeria Indigenous Shipowners Association (NISA), Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Oil Trade Group & Maritime Trade Group of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).

“A cursory look at their vision, mission and objectives, show that they are willing to improve the maritime sector, not just for their members but for stakeholders in the maritime economy and the country”.

Adding that it is of utmost importance for NIMASA to have a through briefing and regular consultation with ships owners, in other to have insight on the challenges facing the ship owners.

“It is of utmost importance for NIMASA to have a thorough briefing and regular consultations with shipowners, to receive insight on the challenges they face, and how the Agency can assist in solving them and encouraging them to invest and participate in the maritime sector, for its development. 

“NIMASA should see them as partners in progress because, if they do not invest in buying ships and registering them in Nigeria, there would be no Nigerian-owned ships in its Register and NIMASA would be unable to discharge its main objective.

The Maritime lawyer also urged NIMASA  to disburse the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF)that currently stands at about N44.6 billion.

“Lest it be forgotten, what is on the lips of almost every shipowner, is the need to disburse the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (the CVFF’), which was established by the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act, 2003. It was established to promote the development of indigenous ship acquisition capacity, by providing financial assistance to Nigerian citizens and shipping companies wholly owned by Nigerian operating in the domestic coastal shipping, to purchase and maintain vessels and build shipping capacity. 

“Research shows that this fund has grown to about N44.6billion; and that due to its non-disbursement, financial institutions have repossessed some vessels, resulting in a 43% reduction of the number of operational indigenous shipping companies in Nigeria, in the past few years. 

“Without beating around the bush, to promote indigenous maritime development, prompt action must be taken by NIMASA to commence the disbursement of this Fund to qualified shipowners pursuant to the extant Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (“CVFF”) Regulations.

Mike Igbokwe (SAN)

“Indeed, as part of its statutory functions, NIMASA is to enforce and administer the provisions of the Cabotage Act 2003 and develop and implement policies and programmes which will facilitate the growth of local capacity in ownership, manning and construction of ships and other maritime infrastructure. Disbursing the CVFF is one of the ways NIMASA can fulfill this mandate.

“To assist in this task, there must be collaboration between NIMASA, financial institutions, the Minister of Transportation, as contained in the CVFF Regulations that are yet to be implemented”, the legal guru highlighted further. 

He urged the agency to create the right environment for its stakeholders to build on and engender the needed capacities to fill the gaps; and ensure that steps are being taken to solve the challenges being faced by stakeholders.

“Lastly, which is the main reason why we are all here, cessation of ministerial waivers on some cabotage requirements, which I believe is worth applause in favour of NIMASA. 

“This is because it appears that the readiness to obtain/grant waivers had made some of the vessels and their owners engaged in cabotage trade, to become complacent and indifferent in quickly ensuring that they updated their capacities, so as not to require the waivers. 

“The cessation of waivers is a way of forcing the relevant stakeholders of the maritime sector, to find workable solutions within, for maritime development and fill the gaps in the local capacities in 100% Nigerian crewing, ship ownership, and ship building, that had necessitated the existence of the waivers since about 15 years ago, when the Cabotage Act came into being. 

“However, NIMASA must ensure that the right environment is provided for its stakeholders to build and possess the needed capacities to fill the gaps; and ensure that steps are being taken to solve the challenges being faced by stakeholders. Or better still, that they are solved within the next 5 years of its intention to stop granting waivers”, he further explained. 

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Breaking News: The Funeral Rites of Matriarch C. Ogbeifun is Live

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The Burial Ceremony of Engr. Greg Ogbeifun’s mother is live. Watch on the website: www.maritimefirstnewspaper.com and on Youtube: Maritimefirst Newspaper.

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Wind Farm Vessel Collision Leaves 15 Injured

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…As Valles Steamship Orders 112,000 dwt Tanker from South Korea***

A wind farm supply vessel and a cargo ship collided in the Baltic Sea on Tuesday leaving 15 injured.

The Cyprus-flagged 80-meter general cargo ship Raba collided with Denmark-flagged 31-meter wind farm supply vessel World Bora near Rügen Island, about three nautical miles off the coast of Hamburg. 

Many of those injured were service engineers on the wind farm vessel, and 10 were seriously hurt. 

They were headed to Iberdrola’s 350MW Wikinger wind farm. Nine of the people on board the World Bora were employees of Siemens Gamesa, two were employees of Iberdrola and four were crew.

The cause of the incident is not yet known, and no pollution has been reported.

After the collision, the two ships were able to proceed to Rügen under their own power, and the injured were then taken to hospital. 

Lifeboat crews from the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service tended to them prior to their transport to hospital via ambulance and helicopter.

“Iberdrola wishes to thank the rescue services for their diligence and professionalism,” the company said in a statement.

In the meantime, the Hong Kong-based shipowner Valles Steamship has ordered a new 112,000 dwt crude oil tanker from South Korea’s Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine & Engineering.

Sumitomo is to deliver the Aframax to Valles Steamship by the end of 2020, according to data provided by Asiasis.

The newbuild Aframax will join seven other Aframaxes in Valles Steamship’s fleet. Other ships operated by the company include Panamax bulkers and medium and long range product tankers.

The company’s most-recently delivered unit is the 114,426 dwt Aframax tanker Seagalaxy. The naming and delivery of the tanker took place in February 2019, at Namura Shipbuilding’s yard in Japan.

Maritime Executive with additional report from World Maritime News

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