Headlines

NPA, Lagos government restrategise to surmount malignant Apapa traffic gridlock

Eyewitness reporter

After the initial setback in taming the Apapa traffic monster which has so far defied every solution deployed by relevant authorities, the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) and the Lagos State government have both gone back to the drawing board to restrategise on how to subdue the rampaging traffic.

Towards this end, the management of NPA led by its Acting Managing Director, Mr. Muhammed Bello-Koko on Saturday met with the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu to adopt stronger measures to curb corrupt practices and alleged extortion of truck drivers by traffic and security operatives along the Lagos Ports corridor.

The NPA boss alongside the Executive Director Marine and Operations, other management staff, including Port Managers of Lagos Ports Complex and Tin Can Island Port Complex, Managing Directors of Apapa Bulk Terminal and Dangote Port Operations among other stakeholders, held a meeting with Mr. Governor and his team at the Lagos House in Marina.

Speaking at the meeting, the NPA Acting MD harped on the need to strengthen enforcement of traffic laws along the Apapa and Tin Can Ports roads.

Bello-Koko stated that the NPA has been inundated with complaints of extortions from truckers, especially by security operatives, including the Military, the Police and NPA Security, demanding money from drivers before accessing the Ports.

He described the ugly practice as a major disincentive to the smooth implementation of the truck call-up system.

Bello-Koko lamented that it has been alleged that no less than thirty “toll-points” have sprung up around the Apapa and Tin Can Port, where bribes are being collected before trucks are allowed into the Port.

Speaking with journalists after a 3 -hour closed-door meeting with the Lagos State Governor, Bello-Koko said “one of the complaints of the truckers has to do with extortion by security operatives, the Army, the Police, the Nigerian Navy and even NPA Security staff.

“This is one of the areas we require the intervention of Government, in this case, the Lagos State Government because we have Police Officers deployed from the State Command who are allegedly involved in this.

“We at the NPA have resolved to take the right punitive measures against any of our staff involved in this, we have moved some of them out of Port locations, and we will do further reviews, whoever is found involved, would be appropriately sanctioned.

“Because of the involvement of several security units, many checkpoints have been created, we believe there are over thirty checkpoints within the Apapa and TinCan Port axis, and we believe that this is a major issue causing delays and a whole lot of problems, this was one of the concerns we raised at our meeting with His Excellency,” he said.

The NPA boss acknowledged that the Lagos State Government has been a close partner, especially when it comes to enforcement, both in terms of providing security operatives and monitoring of the “Eto” call-up system, however, said there is a need to further strengthen that collaboration.

He explained that last week after an assessment visit, he directed the “Eto” Project Consultant and operator of the Lilypond Truck Transit Park to redouble their efforts, especially on the deployment of necessary physical and IT infrastructure as well as adequate human resources, to address the gaps and complaints of a delay from Port users.

He disclosed that the Authority has given the TTP company “marching orders” to immediately see to the deployment of these infrastructures, so as to reduce the waiting time of trucks in and out of the Port.

Bello-Koko further said that the meeting discussed the matter of poor access roads, especially around Sunrise Bus-stop leading to the Tin Can Port.

“The situation now is that trucks going to Tin Can are now following the Apapa Port road, so no matter how much you control the traffic in Apapa, it would be seen as if you are doing nothing.

” NPA has reached out to the Federal Ministry of Works, we have been speaking with the Director of Works in the State, and we have asked that they should provide some palliatives around Sunrise Bus-stop.

“We were made to understand that the contract for that section of the road has just been awarded, but because of the rains, work has been delayed.

” There is need for that part of the road to be graded so that the Tin-Can Port corridor would begin to enjoy some measure of free flow of traffic”, he said.

According to the NPA Boss “we have stakeholders like Dangote and others who have factories within the Port and each of them may need to bring in about 300 trucks daily, but it has to be done in such a way that their operations do not affect the need of other Port users to send in their trucks or exporters to send in and bring their trucks out freely.

“Mr. Governor has given his commitments to further engage the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, he has also directed the CEO of LASTMA and his Special Assistants, who all have given their commitments, that further action would be taken to keep the Port roads free of congestion.

” It will be a 24 -hour operation, we rely on the Lagos State Government on enforcement as it affects traffic along the Port access roads, His Excellency has given us his commitment to that effect and for immediate actions to be taken”, Bello-Koko stated.

Bello said he was optimistic that the renewed collaboration with the Lagos State Government would bring an end to the perennial gridlock within and around the Apapa metropolis.

He restated that henceforth, trucks that have not been registered or do not have the “Eto” ticket would not have access to the Port.

“We want residents of Apapa to be able to commute daily without stress, we need to also ensure that containers go into the Port and come out smoothly, we believe that with this meeting, solutions have been found, NPA would play its part and the Government of Lagos would play its part, he said.

“We have directed TTP to deploy necessary infrastructure such as bollards, spikes and automated barriers, while CCTVs be fully installed at the port gates (entry and exit points), especially at the TInCan Island Port where such equipment is practically non-existent at the moment.

“Similarly, operators of approved parks and holding bays should immediately take steps to install such equipment in their terminals”, he added.

He also spoke on efforts by the Authority to address the myriad of hiccups associated with the return of empty containers to the Port.

He explained that the empty container policy of NPA requires all shipping companies bringing boxes into the country to establish holding bays for their containers.

According to Koko, “shipping lines are to have holding bays capable of handling 50 – 65 percent of their monthly throughput. These companies are aware of the consequences of non-compliance.

” There is an ongoing assessment of parameters required for the release of 2021 licenses and the report is due any moment. That (report) would determine the qualification of a shipping line to operate in the country”, he said.

Bello-Koko further said that efforts are on to significantly improve the transfer and processing of exports at the Port.

In his words, “the Authority is collaborating with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to establish a seamless integration of the export processing terminals into the “Eto” platform.

“This in addition to the Lilypond Export Terminal expected to take off soon, will serve as dedicated export loading points.

” The move would reduce travel time along the port corridor, safeguard the quality of the country’s exports and impact positively on government’s revenue from non-oil exports”, the NPA MD stressed.

Speaking at the meeting, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu assured that the State is going to work closely with the NPA in ensuring that the truck call-up system is successful and the nation’s economy benefits optimally.

During his interactive session with Port stakeholders, Governor Sanwo-Olu called on all port users to be alert to their responsibilities in putting an end to the gridlock in Apapa.

He said there was a need for Port service providers, security agencies and NPA to adhere to their Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) as well as invest in the needed infrastructure which would galvanise the “Eto” system to heightened performance.

He assured that the State Government would commence engagements with the petroleum tanker drivers, tank farm owners and the NUPENG Union, to ensure that they are factored into the “Eto” call-up system.

According to Sanwo-Olu, the poor state of the Sunrise Bus-stop corridor has been identified as the major cause of the traffic congestion into the Tin Can Island Port, and there is a need for the contractors to speed up work around that area.

On his part, the General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Jide Oduyoye, said that Port users should expect a renewed vigour from LASTMA in dealing with the traffic situation around the Lagos Ports.

He said, “there are issues of tankers that are not part of the “Eto” system that needs to be part of the system because once the roads are cleared, we suddenly find out that the petrol tankers occupy the roads which makes it look as if nothing has happened.

“The ongoing construction around Apapa needs to be sped up. They’re also the need for other road users to co-operate with the Government, if there is a process that we all adhere to, no matter the delay, it would be seen as fair and beneficial to everyone”, he advised.

Economy

Prices of cooking gas to crash as federal government exempts LPG, allied products from Customs duty,VAT

The Federal government has directed that imported Liquefied Petrolium Gas(Cooking gas) and all its allied equipment like cylinders should be excepted from the payment of Customs duty and Valu-Added Tax(VAT).

This directive is expected to crash the galloping prices of the product which is being sold between N950 to N1200 per 1 kg

The Ministry of Finance disclosed this in a letter (dated November 28, 2023) to the Special Adviser to the President on Energy; the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS); and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

According to the ministry, the exemption aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to enhance Nigeria’s investment climate, and promote clean cooking practices.

“In line with His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving the investment climate in Nigeria, increasing the supply of LPG to meet local demand, reducing market prices and promoting clean cooking practices, I hereby affirm Presidential directive dated July 29, 2022, with reference number PRES/88/MPR/99,” the letter reads.

“Accordingly, the importation of LPG utilising HS Codes 2711.12.00.00, 2711.13.00.00 and 2711.19.00.00 is exempt from Import Duty and Value-Added Tax. Consequently, the Importation of LPG shall incur a 0% duty rate and 0% VAT rate, effective immediately.”

The ministry instructed the NCS and FIRS to comply with the directive pending its official gazetting. \

Also, the ministry directed the NCS to comply with the presidential directive, dated July 29, 2022, and withdraw all debit notes issued to petroleum marketers who have imported LPG “using codes 2711.1.2.00.00 and 2711.13.00.00 from August 26, 2019, to the present date”.

Other items exempted from VAT and duty payment are LPG cylinders, LPG cascades, gas leak detectors, steel pipes, steel valves and fittings, LPG dispensers, gas generators, LPG trucks, among others.

Before now, 7.5 per cent VAT was slammed on the product which made its prices in the market to hit the roof.

Headlines

Maritime media charges federal government on disbursement of controversial CVFF

President Tinubu

The Eyewitness Reporter

Worried by the stalemated disbursement of the controversial Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund (CVFF) which has lingered for so long, the League of Maritime Editors (LOME) has urged President Ahmed Tinubu to expedite action on the release of the funds to trigger the development of indigenous shipping industry.

The group also called for urgent rehabilitation of collapsed critical port infrastructure at the nation’s seaports.

The President of LOME, Timothy Paul Okorocha, made these calls at the League’s 25th anniversary held in Lagos on Wednesday, with the theme ‘Harnessing Nigeria’s Potential in Marine & Blue Economy’,

While congratulating President Bola Tinubu for the further unbundling of the Ministry of Transportation and the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Okorocha appealed to the President to exercise the required political will to push further by ensuring that the routine talk about the rehabilitation of collapsed critical port infrastructure receives urgent executive attention.

“As development partners, the League looks forward to the effective participation of the respective agencies in the current administration’s renewed agenda template; and wants to see the Nigerian Ports Authority move away from the ritual of endless talk and lamentations into doing the needful, the reconstruction of broken down asset and infrastructure,” he said.

Also worried by the lingering delayed disbursement of the CVFF, the League further urged President Ahmed Tinubu to provide the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and his ministry, the needed impetus to bring to an end, the unending rat race of the disbursement of the CVFF, saying that the fund established since 2003 would jump-start a new lease of life for the capacity development of indigenous ship-owners.

He added that this would enable Nigeria to participate meaningfully in seaborne trade; especially with the proposed commencement of the implementation policy of the blue economy.

The LOME President noted the genuine struggle by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and its leadership, especially under the present administration to disburse the CVFF but observed that the efforts suffered political disruptions.

“As insiders, the League over the years has seen the genuine struggle by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and its leadership, especially under the present administration to disburse the CVFF in its commitment to grow local capacity building, but observe the otherwise disruptive tendencies within the field of political play.

“We appeal to Mr. President to use his good offices to prevail on the relevant authorities to respond to the needs of our industry as there can be no better time than now,” he said.

Speaking on the theme of the conference, Doctor Charles Okoroefe of Nigeria Maritime University also hailed the unbundling of the transportation ministry which he said was a misnomer.

He has decried the untapped potential of marine resources, especially in the area of tourism in Nigeria, regretting that marine tourism is lacking in Nigeria unlike in Gambia and the Caribbean where marine tourism is a major source of income where marine tourism rakes in billions of dollars.

“Egypt made about $14 billion in tourism from the Nile in 2022,” he added.

“People troop in into the Bahamas. Do we (Nigeria) have the potential? Yes. But the question is how prepared are we?” he queried.

He stressed that marine tourism is a solution in terms of job creation and that the time has come for Nigeria to progress from potential to actuality.

“So talking about job creation. All of these elements I mentioned are potential areas for job creation because it is a major issue in Nigeria today.

” A lot of young people are jobless. Meanwhile, we have an area that is green where a lot of jobs can be created.

“So I think we have to look at that potential area of driving our marine and Blue Economy,” Okoroefe stated.

He also called on the Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy to synergise with the Ministry of Agriculture to harness the potential of the sea.

“So, I believe the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has to synergise with the Ministry of Agriculture and also harness exotic seafood for export,” he explained, saying we cannot be depending on imports alone.

He urged the ministry to look at other fundamental seafood we have in excess that we can process through the rivers for export.

The marine expert regretted that Nigeria still imports palm oil from Malaysia, the same people who came to Nigeria to learn how to plant seedlings and today Nigeria is importing palm oil from Malaysia, “these are exportable items. So I believe the Ministry of Marine has to do a lot.

“With the Ministry of Agriculture for instance, with the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Tourism, these are resources that we need to address in order for us to develop and come out of potential to thrive. On our ocean and marine resources, we’ve been talking endlessly.”

Headlines

Tantita refutes, describes allegation of oil theft by Navy as libelous, defamatory

Capt. Warredi Enisuoh

The Eyewitness Reporter

Following an allegation of involvement in the alleged oil theft incident against Tantita Security Services Limited by the Nigerian Navy, the security outfit has described the accusation as laughable and an attempt by the Navy to cover up the truth.

The security outfit, which has received widespread commendation for its efforts in combatting the menace of oil theft in the country, debunked accusations of any involvement of its operatives in the incident while lampooning the Navy for underestimating its operatives.

Reacting to the development, the Executive Director – Operations and Technical, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Capt. Warredi Enisuoh in a statement described the Navy’s claim as “defamatory and libelous”.

The statement said: “The activities going on inside the Nigerian Navy’s FalconEye should be investigated as the ship was only a few kilometers off the coast of Ondo State, well within view of the Nigerian Navy’s FalconEye, but they never reacted”.

“We are indeed saddened and disappointed that the Nigerian Navy could descend so low as to make such bizarre accusations against our organisation, knowing the same to be false,” he added.

“Perhaps they are not aware that video evidence of what transpired between the Tantita operatives and the Nigerian Navy at the scene exists and has been transmitted to the highest authorities.

“We will therefore not join issues with the Nigerian Navy as we are well aware that Nigerians know who is who.”

It would be recalled that the activities of Tantita and other security outfits have saved the country a whopping $43.2m from oil theft daily.

Recalled that on Thursday, December 7, 2023, the Nigerian Navy had disclosed that 17 people said to be engaged in the illegal siphoning of crude oil in Ondo State were nabbed aboard a 77-meter-long Motor Tanker (MT) VINNALARIS 1 Lagos.

Navy spokesperson, Commodore Adedotun Olukayode Ayo-Vaughan, disclosed in a statement, saying the suspects were nabbed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Igbokoda in the early hours of Thursday.

However, a day later, the Navy turned around to accuse Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL) of complicity in the incident.