Maritime

Maritime journalists celebrate Lagos NUJ Chairman in grand reception

The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria(MARAN), today hosts the newly elected Chairman of the Lagos Council of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Leye Ajayi in a grant reception at the Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.

Mr Ajayi was a former President of MARAN.

In what appears to be a celebration of electoral success of one of their own, the maritime journalists will converge on the prestigious Hotel to honour Ajayi in the company of maritime industry stakeholders who have been invited to witness the epoch-making event.

In a statement issued in Lagos by the association, the creme-de-la-creme of the Nigerian maritime sector are billed to attend the event under the Chairmanship of Prince Olayiwola Shittu, former President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA)

The event is billed to hold at the Rockview Hotel in Apapa, Lagos on Thursday March, 25th 2021 by 11am prompt.

The theme of the event is ”National Development: The Challenges of and the Prospects for the Proper Implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in Nigerian Maritime Industry “

“MARAN is proud of one of its own, Leye Ajayi who was a bonafide member of the association until his emergence as the Lagos NUJ Chairman”

“Mr Ajayi had served MARAN meritoriously at different times and different capacities as Secretary General and later as President”

“The Association is therefore planning a grand reception to celebrate his electoral success”, an elated Mr Anya Njoku, the President of MARAN, observed.

The association said the grand reception and lecture are aimed to boost the synergy between the Maritime Press and Maritime Publics and Government Parastatals.

The lead paper would be presented by seasoned Journalist and the Editor of the XPRESS Newspaper, Mr Emeka Okoroanyawu, who was one of the founders of MARAN in 1988.

Former General Manager, Lagos Traffic FM, Mr. Layinka Adagun, a pioneer MARAN Member, would also be a panel discussant to enhance the theme’s perspectives.

The special guests of honor expected at the event includes; the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council, Barr Hassan Bello, and Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Dr George Moghalu.

Others are; Assistant Comptroller General of Customs in charge of Zone ‘A’ Lagos, ACG Kaycee Ekekezie and the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotosho.

The Chief Guests of Honors are; Chairperson of Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) Princess Dr Vicky Haastrup, the President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Comrade Adewale Adeyanju and immediate past chairman of Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) Aare Hakeem Olanrewaju.

Others are; President of ANLCA, Hon Tony Iju Nwabunike and the founder of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Dr. Boniface Aniebonam.

In addition, all MARAN past Presidents and Executives would be on ground to grace the grand reception and lecture.

Headlines

National Assembly leans hard on government agencies for increased revenue to federal coffers

––increases 2025 revenue target of NPA from N997b to N1.75 trn

Funso OLOJO

From all indications, the National Assembly is on the mission to squeeze the last Kobo out of all the revenue – generating government agencies by raising their revenue targets to the federation account in 2025.

At the budget defence session held with government agencies and parastatals on Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 in Abuja,the National Assembly Joint committee on Finance, has raised the projected revenue targets of virtually all the agencies which appeared before it.

It would be recalled that the joint committee led by its chairmen, Senator Sani Musa and Hon. James Faleke,

raised the N6.5 trillion revenue projection of the Nigeria customs service for 2025 to a whooping sum of N12 trillion.

Similarly, the joint committee has once again raised the projected revenue target of yet another agency, the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) from N997 billion to N1.7 trillion.

While presenting the NPA 2024 report to the joint committee, the Managing Director of the agency, Dr. Abubakar Datsotho, had disclosed that the NPA had remitted N753 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) with the projected N997 billion as 2025 remittance target.

However, the Joint Committee rejected the projected revenue target ,instead raising it to N1.75 trillion for 2025.

The adjustment, the committee explained, was based on the maximization of NPA’s 56 revenue streams.

It is expected that more revenue generating agencies will have their targets for 2025 jerked up by the committee which is all out to shore up the dwindling government revenue admist sluggish economy.

Headlines

Retired Customs Chief pushes for actualisation of Badagry Deep Seaport project in 2025.

Funso OLOJO

A retired Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Mr Yahaya Oladiran Idris, has called on the Federal Government, Lagos state government and promoters of the Badagry deep seaport to resolve all the grey areas hindering the timely actualisation of the project to allow it come on stream in 2025.

The former customs officer, who is the incumbent President of Badagry Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture, make the case for the Port project during his interaction with the executive members of the Maritime Reporters Association of

Nigeria(MARAN) during their two- day retreat programme at the ancient city.

Mr Oladiran maintained his conviction that the port has all the fundamentals to thrive due to the huge economic potentials of Badagry town that will support the project.

He also noted that with the huge investment opportunities and vibrant infrastructure in Lagos State, Badagry is fully ready for the proposed deep seaport because it is the superhighway to ECOWAS and Europe.

He further explained that Badagry is home of the most significant border post in Nigeria, Seme Border that aslo enjoys good intermodal transportation systems including good waterways and Lagos-Sokoto Expressway that can serve as a transshipment route to landlocked countries of Niger Republic and Chad.

He pointed out that both Niger Republic and Chad prefer Nigerian ports for their cargoes.

“We are fully aware of the economic viabilities of Badagry. It is a superhighway to ECOWAS and Europe and the home of the most significant border post in Nigeria.

“Majority of Nigerian cargo stemmed down at ports in Benin Republic and Togo Republic will be dropped at Badagry Deep Seaport.

“The port will serve as a transshipment hub for landlocked countries of Niger Republic and Chad.

“Badagry has a good waterway. It makes it easier to come to Badagry and down to Benin Republic through the lagoon.

“As a matter of fact, the port will lead to a considerable reduction in smuggling, if not by zero percent but at least by 20%, when completed,” the former customs chief declared.

The President of Badagry Chamber of Commerce further noted that the construction of the port would attract more investors to Badagry and provide job opportunities for artisans and vendors.

“As a chamber, we are expecting the construction of the port to start in 2025.

” We are enjoining the government, the promoters and landowners to talk and settle the grey areas in the port agreement. The port will add to the growth of Badagry,” he said.

On whether there is a need for another deep seaport at Badagry since there is one in Lekki, Yahaya averred that Badagry deep seaport is desirable considering the massive market of Lagos and that the promoters must have done their visibility study before proposing the establishment of the port in Badagry.

On the land border closure to vehicles, Deputy Comptroller Yahaya said Nigeria’s border is too porous and too laborious to manage considering its vastness and the country is losing a lot of revenue to vehicle smugglers who are taking advantage of this closure.

According to him, the major casualties are the officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service who have lost their lives while chasing smugglers in the forest.

He advised the federal government to open up the borders and allow vehicles to come in to avoid revenue loss and unwarranted death of officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service.

On trade facilitation, Yahaya posited that trade facilitation is a collective responsibility among importers, customs agents, the Customs and other agencies involved in free-flow of cargo in and out of the port.

According to him, “Trade can be facilitated when importers are honest with their consignments.

” Lack of transparency brings about multiple debit notes everywhere. Trade facilitation starts from importers, agents and me.

“Also, NAFDAC and SON treating the same products delays trade facilitation. Government has to intervene and delineate functions of these agencies properly. Above all, some goods need reclassification.”

The Badagry Chamber of Commerce President commended the present management of the Nigeria Customs Service led by Comptroller General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi for making the welfare of officers and men a priority.

“Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi has done well in terms of promotion of staff. Officers and men will be happy when they get their promotions regularly, and CGC Adeniyi has not failed in this area.” he noted.

Headlines

Nigeria’s unserious approach to AfCFTA may deny the country of its huge opportunities– Segun Musa

Funso OLOJO

The Vice President, Air and Logistics of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Segun Musa, has decried the unserious approach Nigeria adopts towards participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which he lamented may rob the country of the huge opportunities and benefits of the continent trade.

He slammed the body charged with coordination of the country’s participation in the Trade Agreement of ineptitude and lacking in substance, accusing the body of more theoretical than practical in his approach.

In a recent interview, Musa described the body’s approach as overly theoretical and ineffective, citing their preference for “talk shows” over practical solutions.

Musa expressed frustration with the committee charged with facilitating Nigeria’s participation in the free trade agreement, stating that they have made little progress beyond paper presentations and abstract discussions.

“They are not doing anything. Most of their engagements have been reduced to talk shows where they deliver speeches.

” We are not in an era of delivering papers; we need dialogue, practical strategies, and action plans,” he said.

The NAGAFF Vice President revealed that the AfCFTA committee had failed to attend critical meetings, further highlighting their lack of commitment.

“During our last meeting, the body responsible for AfCFTA facilitation did not show up.

“This demonstrates their unseriousness. If the government truly intends to improve the economy, they need to ensure such committees focus on tangible outcomes rather than endless discussions,” Musa remarked.

He also expressed disappointment with the virtual meetings organized by the committee, which he claimed lacked depth and actionable resolutions.

“I’ve participated in their discussions, and everything revolves around theory.

” There’s no practical engagement, and this has hindered progress. To date, I’ve not seen any real effort from them,” Musa added.

Musa emphasized the importance of practical engagement, urging the AfCFTA coordination body to involve stakeholders in meaningful discussions aimed at achieving results.

“If they are serious, they should engage those of us ready for practical dialogue and focus on how to build Nigeria’s capacity to participate in the continental trade.

” Their avoidance of public discussions only confirms their lack of direction,” he said.

Highlighting the potential benefits of AfCFTA, Musa argued that Nigeria’s failure to prepare adequately is a missed opportunity.

He called on the government to take the agreement seriously by addressing key challenges such as local production capacity, standardization, and export readiness.

“AfCFTA is a huge opportunity, but without a solid plan and active stakeholder involvement, Nigeria will continue to lag behind,” Musa concluded.

The African Continental Free Trade Area, aimed at fostering intra-African trade and economic integration, requires strong national coordination for effective implementation.

However, Musa’s comments suggest that Nigeria’s coordination framework may be inadequate, raising concerns about the country’s ability to compete in the continental market.