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80,000 trucks registered on ETO platform

Bello-Koko, NPA, MD
—-as Bello-Koko gives E- call up system pass mark
Eyewitness reporter
Mohammed Bello-Koko, the Acting Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has given the much-vilified electronic call-up system a thumb up, claiming it has resolved about 80 percent of the intractable traffic Apapa gridlock.
Bello-Koko, who made this disclosure as a guest on a breakfast programme, monitored recently in Lagos, explained that while the Authority is not unmindful of the pains of Apapa residents, what remains is to address the gridlock caused by the failed portion along the Mile 2 – Tin-Can Port road.
He believed that as soon as the entire stretch of the Tin-Can Port highway is completed, the perennial gridlock within Apapa would be completely eliminated.
“After this, we will fully deploy the ‘Eto’ call-up infrastructure for trucks along the Tin-Can Port corridor,” he said.
Debunking insinuations that the ‘Eto’ system has been compromised, the NPA helmsman explained: “the ‘Eto’ truck booking system was launched in February, and when I assumed office, my first act was to carry out a comprehensive review of the system and we directed the system manager to immediately address all areas of deficiencies.
” These infrastructure upgrades coupled with the support of the Lagos State Government and other stakeholders, the vehicular gridlock along the Ijora – Apapa axis had reduced by over 80 percent and am sure residents of Apapa can attest to this”, he added.
He further said that the Authority has fully embraced multimodal transportation by encouraging better use of barges and port-rail, for the movement of laden and empty containers in and out of the ports.
The NPA boss said this development has brought a significant reduction in the cost of doing business at the ports.
According to him, as part of efforts to kick-off the electronic call-up system, a fully automated transit truck park was established while 29 satellite parks were approved to ensure that trucks coming to do business in the port are properly profiled and verified before accessing the port.
“Out of the 29 parks, about eight have met the required standards, which include installation of bollards, CCTVs, automated gate systems, and relevant IT equipment”
He noted that apart from few isolated cases, where some truck drivers try to subvert the system by not adhering strictly to the truck manifest arrangement with its attendant disruption, the e-call up has been able to streamline cargo evacuation and truck movements, thereby bringing a level of sanity to the roads.
He equally attributed the elimination of the Apapa gridlock to the new policy introduced by the Authority, which compelled shipping lines to ship out no less than 80 percent of the number of containers shipped in, for every voyage be it empty containers or export cargo.
 “Over time, we discovered that most shipping lines were storing their empty containers in Nigeria, which was cheaper for them, but we have introduced a policy whereby shipping companies should  take back 80 percent of the laden containers they brought into the country from the stock of empties and export cargo, this has also reduced the number of trucks with empty containers waiting on the roads”
“What this meant in a lay man’s language is that if a vessel brings 100 containers, for instance, such vessel must take back 80 containers, which must be among the empties and export containers, without which she would not be allowed to sail out of the ports”.
The NPA boss declared that a total of 80,000 trucks have so far registered on the ‘Eto’ platform, however, only 16,000 trucks have met the minimum safety standards, which is an indication, that more work is needed to enthrone safety and prevent accidents within the port area.
“There will be continuous improvement of ETO system, including the deployment of additional physical and IT infrastructure as well as grant approval for more transit parks to cushion the excruciating pains of truckers” he noted.
“The Authority had also embarked on what he called ‘operation green’ through which all illegal structures and shanties on port access roads in Apapa were cleared, the move formed part of efforts to free flow of traffic in the area.”
Shedding more light on the provision of the barge services to ease movement of cargo out of the seaports, the NPA Managing Director said barge operators are now being guided by the revised standard operating procedures (SOP) in order to ensure efficient and safe barge operations.
 He stressed that owners of barges must comply with the new safety guidelines if they wish to do business at the port.
 “When we approved the use of the barges, we soon discovered that many of them (operators) did not have radio communication equipment onboard and we directed them to install the equipment.
“We also insist that these barges must be seaworthy before they are allowed to sail so as to forestall a situation where they break down at the middle of the channel, which would cause massive disruptions to shipping.
“We are also developing an electronic call-up system for the barges, just like what we have for the trucks on the roads so as to ensure that we streamline their operations.
” There is a department in the NPA charged with the responsibility. In the last few weeks, we have also received proposals for the deployment of very large self-propelled barges, we are being careful, but we are studying all that, the PPP Unit of NPA is working on that”, he revealed.
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Customs

Tin Can Customs hits 1 trillion naira revenue harvest 

as PTML customs generates N288.3 billion in 11 months 
Funso OLOJO
For the first time in the history of the Tin Can Customs command of the Nigeria Customs command, the command has hit a trillion naira revenue haul, thus joining the Apapa Customs command in the exclusive club of trillion naira leaguers.
According to Comptroller Dera Nnadi, the Area Controller of the command, the second highest revenue yeilding command grossed the sum of One Trillion, Forty Six Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety Six Million, Five Hundred and Ninety Three Thousand, One Hundred and Three Naira Sixty Kobo (1,046,496,593,103.60) as at November 7th, 2024.
Nnadi, who was excited by the record revenue, dedicated the rare feat to the  Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR and his management team.
“The Command acknowledges the specific roles of the DCG Tariff and Trade and the DCG ICT /Modernization for their contributions too.
“Aware that a secured border will translate to more revenue at the seaports, we also appreciate the support of the DCG Enforcement, Investigation & Inspection in enforcing compliance among our stakeholders leading to the increased revenue in the Command.
“While we celebrate our esteemed stakeholders who embraced our reforms and complied with Customs extant laws and guidelines, those who did not are regretting their loss and the pain of non compliance”
In addition, the command intercepted and seized 16 containers of  illicit substances, unregistered pharmaceutical products and other items seized by the Command.
“Summary of drug importation activities at Tincan Island Port:
Total Containers: 16 containers were discharged from May 17 to October 23, 2024.
Drugs Imported:
Codeine-based products: Numerous shipments of cough syrups with codeine; Barcadin with Codeine, Broncleer with Codeine, and DSP with Codeine for throat and chesty cough (100ml, 200 bottles per carton).
“Tapentadol & Carisoprodol: 420 cartons of Royal 225 (Tapentadol HVCL 125mg and Carisoprodol BP 100mg).
Benzhexol Tablets: 200 cartons of 5mg Benzhexol Tablets (Brand: Trodal).
“Cannabis Indica: 77 packets (38.5kg), 532 packets (265.025kg), and 75 packets (37.5kg).
“Diclofenac Sodium Tablets: Really Extra brand (50mg, 100 packs per carton).
Other goods: Ceiling fans, Deluxe Chilli Cutters, stainless steel blenders, BiomalArtesunate Injection.
“Vessels of Importation:
SpilKartika (Hapag Lloyd, voyage No. 2417W)
Volana (Hapag Lloyd, voyage Nos. 2416W, 2421W)
Maliako (Hapag Lloyd, voyage No. 2421W)
WadiBani Khalid (Hapag Lloyd, voyage Nos. 2423W)
MSC Sweden VI and MSC Katyayni NY427A.
“Countries of Origin:
India (Barcadin, Diclofenac Tablets, Benzhexol, CSP with Codeine)
United Kingdom (BiomalArtesunate Injection)
Canada (Cannabis Indica).
“These containers were inspected by multiple enforcement agencies including Customs, NDLEA, and NAFDAC.
“Recall that on October 2, 2024, the Tincan Island Port Command officially handed over 684 packets of Cannabis Indica, weighing a total of 341.025 kg, with an estimated street value of ₦682,050,000.00.
“These narcotics were discovered in three 40ft containers Nos: MSMU 518030/2, MSMU 602957/0, and FSCU 927461/3), as part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen interagency collaboration and coordination.
 “Consequently, we are handing over an additional 13 Containers of Unregistered pharmaceutical products to NAFDAC.
 “Total Duty Paid Value for the 16 containers is approximately N37, 000,000,000.00 (Thirty Seven Billion Naira Only) with details as follows:
“Tramadol – 920 cartons in 2x40FT containers worth N23B
Codeine – 1,894,600 bottles in 11x40FT containers worth N13B
Cannabis Indica- 341kg in 3X40 containers worth  N682M
“The Command in particular and the Service in general will deploy all necessary resources and strategies at our disposal and in collaboration with local and foreign partner security and regulatory agencies to check the menace of illegal importation of unregistered pharmaceutical products into the country.
“We are more than committed to deliver on this mandate.
“Aware that yuletide is around the corner, I wish to reassure all our stakeholders that the Command will partner with those who are compliant to ensure there are no delays in their cargo delivery.
 “Similarly, we are also using this opportunity to inform those who will dare our resolve that we are ready to enforce the requirements of our law.
Meanwhile, the PTML Command also generatesld N288.3b in 11 months which it makes seizures of N28.4 million.
According to the Area Controller of the command, Controller Tenny Mankini Daniyan, the revenue generated during the period under review was 34.8% higher than the N213,914,304,888.11 that was realized from January to October , 2023.
“The Command under the leadership of Comptroller Tenny Mankini Daniyan broke the monthly revenue record in the month of October 2024 with a collection of N44,021,583,356(forty four billion, twenty one million, five hundred and eighty three thousand, three hundred and fifty six naira)
“Comptroller  Daniyan while  describing the October 2024 monthly collection as the highest in the history of the command, expressed confidence in the ability of his officers and men to surpass the record.
“The Customs Area Controller attributed the command’s achievements to a combination of hard work by officers, compliance by port users and cooperation of sister government agencies in the port.
” In the command’s  anti-smuggling efforts , some seizures were made within the period under review and the three suspects who were detained in respect of the seizures have been granted  administrative bail.
“The seized items worth  a total of N28,478,034.76 Duty Paid Value (DPV). Some of the items discovered in a 40ft container, No ACLU9664782 include: 2,598 pieces of used motor tyres, 12 pieces of used washing machines, 6 pieces of used fridges, 8 pieces of used motor radiator, 36 pieces of used Rim cover, 8 pieces of used rug carpets, 2 pieces of used mattresses, 2 pieces of used wash hand basin, 2 bags containing used clothes, shoes and bags.
“Another  40ft container , No ACLU9810594 contained 56 bags of premium parboiled rice (45.4kg each), 18 bags of Rice land parboiled rice (22.68kg each), 15 bags of premium parboiled rice (11.34kg each), 20 bags of premium parboiled rice (4.5kg each), 18 kegs of soybean vegetable oil (15.87kg each).
“Other seizures were : Twelve (12) rounds of 9mm Luger FC Black ammunition and one (1) 9mm Luger live ammunition extracted from one used Mazda CX5 , Ten (10) rounds of NIM FC 30-30 blank ammunition, two (2) rounds of 7.62mm x 39 AK hollow ammunition, Three (3) rounds of WCC NIM Luger 9mm live ammunition and Four (4) rounds of C hollow ammunition extracted from one used Toyota Tacoma, Fifty (50) rounds of 76mm live cartridges and one hundred and nine (109) empty shells of 76mm, 70mm, and other calibres extracted from one used Toyota Tacoma and Fifty-one (1) rounds of 12GA Winchester live cartridges extracted from one used Lexus RX350
“Other seizures made this year include One (1) made in China SIGSAUER 1911 pistol with serial No: UO3130962526 extracted from one used Toyota Sienna One (1) Glock 22 Austria pistol with serial No: KNT003 and thirteen (13) rounds of 9mm hollow ammunition extracted from one used Toyota Tacoma , Five (5) rounds of 12GA live cartridges extracted from one used Toyota Tundra.
“Comptroller Daniyan said ” We must rededicate ourselves to serving our country diligently, firstly as patriotic citizens and as customs officers with mandates to work for the development of our national economy.
” The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, have a lot of confidence in our ability to deliver excellently as officers with capabilities to use modern trade facilitation tools and platforms like the recently launched B’Odogwu platform, which is being deployed first in our command as a pilot area.
“As we work into the yuletide period, seeing to the end of 2024,let us continue sustaining two hours cargo clearance for compliant RoRo consignment, collect maximum revenue without compromising on diligent examination to detect concealment, under valuation and false declaration” the CAC said.
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Headlines

EFCC opens chemical forensics laboratory in Port Harcourt 

The Eyewitness Reporter

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mr.  Ola Olukoyede, on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, commissioned  a Chemical Forensics Laboratory in its Port Harcourt Directorate, Rivers State.

The lab is meant to enhance and fast-track the commission’s oil and gas investigations and strengthen its Extractive Industry Fraud  Section.

The Laboratory, which took two years to build, would enable the EFCC to conduct comprehensive analysis of  petroleum products and crude oil samples for investigative and prosecutorial activities

Olukoyede described the project as a significant milestone in the history of the Commission in its journey towards advancing transparency and accountability in the oil and gas sector.

“We celebrate a significant milestone in the Commission’s journey towards advancing transparency and accountability in the oil and gas sector”, he said.

He explained that the Commission,  over the years, was relying on external agencies like the Nigeria National Petroleum Company, NNPC and Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, for its product and sample analyses which often caused delays in critical oil and gas-related investigations.

He expressed appreciation to the MacArthur Foundation for funding the project and strengthening the fight against corruption in Nigeria, as well as the Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD for  supervising and guiding the project from inception to its completion.

“I extend my deepest gratitude to the MacArthur Foundation for their unwavering commitment to strengthening anti-corruption institutions in Nigeria, and to our implementing partners, CDD, for guiding this project from inception to this important milestone”, he said.

The Head, Programs, CDD, Mary Okpe in her remarks stated that the support for the project was not only to enhance the technical capabilities of the EFCC alone, but also to serve as a beacon of progress for all anti-corruption agencies within the country.

She further added that the facility will empower investigative bodies with essential resources to conduct more accurate, scientific analyses in their cases and foster a culture of evidence-based accountability.

Port Harcourt’s Acting Zonal Director,  Assistant Commander of the EFCC,  ACE1 Adebayo Adeniyi, also expressed appreciation to  MacArthur Foundation and CDD  “for believing in our mission and for empowering us with the tools needed to serve the Nigerian people and the world at large”.

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Headlines

Marine and Blue Economy sector holds better prospects for Nigerian youths– Oyetola 

Funso OLOJO 

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has advised Nigerian youths to take advantage of the countless opportunities in the sector as they have better prospects.

Oyetola made this call on Wednesday, November 6th, 2024 at  the 2024 International Conference, titled, ‘Advancing Entrepreneurship Education and Practice for Sustainable Development in Africa,”

The event was organized by the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Development Studies (IFEDS), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The Minister, represented by the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho, said that the blue economy sector promises a wealth of benefits for the growing youth population of Nigeria.

Oyetola highlighted the opportunities in the blue economy to constitute a spectrum of economic activities which include maritime shipping, the construction and repair of ships, port infrastructure and services, coastal tourism, fisheries and aquaculture, and generation of renewable energy offshore.

“Others are seabed mining; underwater cabling; marine biotechnology (in support of the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors); maritime education, research, and consultancy services; protection and restoration of marine habitats; water desalination and waste disposal.

He, however, called on academic institutions across the country to work together with the government to harness the numerous potential inherent in the nation’s ocean and coastal resources

“The Marine and Blue Economy represents a blue gold mine of entrepreneurial opportunities for African entrepreneurs and researchers.

“By harnessing innovation, embracing sustainability, and fostering collaboration between government, academia, and the private sector, we can create a thriving marine and blue economy that contributes significantly to Nigeria’s sustainable development.

“The Marine and Blue Economy represents a frontier of immense potential for Nigeria and indeed, all of Africa.

” It is a sector that, if harnessed correctly, can drive innovation, create jobs, and contribute significantly to our national and continental GDP”, the Minister said.

The minister, further stated that the blue economy sector promises a wealth of benefits for the growing youth population of the beloved nation.

According to him, the sector offered scope for innovation, sustainable growth, and fruitful entrepreneurial paths, saying the economic prospects offered by our blue economy are substantial and remarkable.

Other dignitaries at the Conference were the Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Professor Adebayo Someone Banire, Director-General, National Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola and Dr. Richard Akinola, the Chief of Staff to the Minister.

Nigeria has an expansive coastline of 853 kilometers along the Atlantic Ocean and a maritime area of 46,000 square kilometers within the Gulf of Guinea.

 Its marine resources are both vast and varied. Our exclusive economic zone spans over 200 nautical miles, achieving a recent extension of 16,300 square kilometers – approximately five times the size of Lagos State.

“Additionally, Nigeria features an extensive resource of inland waterways, with the potential to support an intra-regional trade sphere through a length of 10,000 kilometers.

“Strategically situated navigational routes link Africa with North and South America, Europe, and Asia, making the maritime sector a crucial catalyst of our nation’s economy.

“Thus, the blue economy sector promises a wealth of benefits for the growing youth population of our beloved nation, offering scope for innovation, sustainable growth, and fruitful entrepreneurial paths. The economic prospects offered by our blue economy are substantial and remarkable.”

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