…To partner IMO in developing a Port Community System

The Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, Muhammed Bello-Koko has described the National Single Window NSW as ”a game-changing initiative”, that will greatly simplify trade procedures, and facilitate businesses to engage in cross-border trade.

Bello-Koko made the observation in his official X post, shortly after the official launching of the NSW, while assuring his sincere commitment to ensure its success.

“Earlier today, I joined HE, President @officialABAT, Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. @femigbaja

 and heads of agencies to launch the National Single Window Platform (NSW).”, Bello-Koko stated, adding that the NSW is indeed, “a cross-agency system that allows for the exchange of information, payments, Customs clearance, and port exits”.

“Across the globe, the NSW helped reduce trade barriers, increase efficiency, and promote economic growth.

“On our part, @nigerianports, in technical partnership with the @IMO, we are developing a Port Community System that makes it easier to integrate into the National Single Window platform. We are about 75% complete on this project. The NPA is excited and ready for the next phase of this process.

“It was an honour to be part of this historic moment, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on businesses in the country”, the NPA Boss further indicated!

…Edodo-Emore refocuses Stakeholders’ attention on Security and new technologies in inland waterways

Significant progress will be achieved in the area boat -passenger safety amongst other gains, as Nigeria gets an infrequent opportunity to learn from the Chinese experience in improving general service delivery in-country.

The Chinese Consul-General in Nigeria, Madam Yan Yuqing, one of the key speakers at a Zoe Maritime Summit is expected, in addition to dissecting the topic of improving services delivery, to also offer, useful ideas and lessons on safe inland waterways operations in Nigeria.

Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy

The Summit promoter,  and CEO of Zoe Maritime Resources Ltd, Barr (Mrs) Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore told Maritime First that the discussion is designed to inland waterways operators the knowledge to better manage the sector, particularly, towards improving boat passenger safety.

 Consequently, a major highlight of the Summit is a presentation on the Chinese experience in the management of inland waterways.

The Barrister highlighted that with the theme: “Security and New Technologies in Inland Waterways Transportation”, the Zoe Resources Maritime Business Roundtable Breakfast Meeting h places at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos should be a must-to-attend Summit. 

*Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore

Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore noted that prominent maritime personalities and revered industry players have confirmed readiness to grace the occasion.

Among these are the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy,. Adegboyega Oyetola is scheduled to unveil the Ministry’s focus and plans for Inland Waterways and Coastal Services, an intervention that has agitated the minds of inland waterway operators since his appointment last year.

Others are Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA); Mrs Oluseyi Oluyede, Managing Director, Niger Benue Transport Company Ltd (NBTC), and Rhoda Olofu, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Marine Police Command.

*Mobereola

Industry technocrats, heads of security agencies and regulatory authorities expected to feature in panel discussions on the theme include the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko; Director- General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola and the Managing Director/CEO, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Alhaji Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

NPA Managing Director, Mohammed Bello-Koko

Also billed to participate in the breakfast summit are port users, heads of maritime desks of banks, government agencies and insurance companies. Others are ship owners, boat owners, boat captains, log byistic companies, barge operators and any other entity whose operations are inland waterway-based.

Freight forwarders, importers and oil and gas companies will also grace the occasion.

Foreign entities from maritime nations will also feature and make interventions especially as concerns experiences in their respective nations to enable Nigerians benefit from global inland waterways visibility, network, growth and exchange of knowledge.

…Warns that any uncovered infraction will lead to severe sanctions!

The Port Terminal Multi-services Limited (PTML) Command of Nigeria Customs Service has recorded N66,920,181,586.30 as total revenue for first quarter of 2024.

 The collected revenue is N22,198,965,809.55 higher than N44,721,215,776.75 collected between January and March 2023 representing a 49.6 percent increase. 

A press statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the command, CSC Muhammad Yakubu, stated that Comptroller Saidu Abba Yusuf, Customs Area Controller of the command, described the increase in revenue collection as a laudable feat, adding that the command is more committed towards trade facilitation and as well as supporting government drive for ease of doing business. 

Comptroller Yusuf who thanked the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR for initiating strategies to achieve faster cargo clearance, reiterated that PTML Command under his watch aims to surpass its record of three-hour cargo clearance for compliant traders. 

According to Yusuf, the launching of time release study (TRS) which is ongoing and other deliberate efforts by the Comptroller General have contributed in the expansion of terminal space and promoting ease of doing business in PTML. 

The CAC also disclosed that the PTML command has the potential to achieve two-hour cargo clearance and surpass it’s existing three-hour record if port users’ compliance level is improved.

Comptroller Yusuf who described PTML as one of the safest and most secure environments for RoRo(Roll On Roll Off) and general cargoes also advised importers and their agents to take advantage of the incentives available for compliant traders such as fast track, advance ruling and possible migration to the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status. 

He reminded port users in PTML of the robust and time-conscious dispute resolution mechanism, which has contributed immensely to the revenue collection, trade facilitation and anti-smuggling functions of the command. 

While commending the various government and private sector stakeholders for their cooperation and support towards the realisation of the government goal of revenue collection and prevention of unlawful activities, Comptroller Yusuf expressed optimism that the command will surpass its annual target for the year. 

He described the importation of vehicles meant for Nigerian roads into neighbouring countries with the intent to smuggle them through unapproved roads into Nigeria as unpatriotic and an act of economic sabotage as the command has the capacity for seamless and efficient processing of such automobile cargoes. 

For the second quarter and first half of the year, the CAC enjoined officers of the command to maximally deploy available technology and rededicate themselves to the job to achieve more. You u

He reminded the port users that there is increased anti-smuggling vigilance to uncover concealment such as under declaration and smuggling of prohibited items. 

The CAC further added that any discovered infraction will lead to full evoking of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA), where there are spelt-out penalties.