Headlines

Shipowners may go to court to access CVFF

Eyewitness reporter

Except other peaceful options fail, the indigenous ship owners may take a legal option as the last resort to wrest the Cabotage vessels financing funds (CVFF) from the Federal government.

Legal options are part of others several other options which the beleaguered ship owners are considering in a bid to break the deadlock on the disbursement of the controversial fund.

It would be recalled that the CVFF, an interventionist fund meant to empower indigenous operators under the Cabotage regime, has become elusive to the would-be beneficiaries since 2007 when it was launched.

The fund, which is the two percent deductions from the Cabotage contracts of the indigenous ship owners, has been serially abused by successive governments.

After several raised hopes from the present government which never materialised, the recent pronouncement by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, that President Buhari has withdrawn his approval for the disbursement of the fund, may have spurred the ship owners into action after several years of inertia.

To give vent to their resolve, the Shipowners have rallied themselves together in order to form a formidable body that will engage the Federal government over this vexed issue.

Consequently, the ship owners may have closed ranks and resuscitated the moribund Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), an umbrella body of the local operators that has been in tatters due to bickerings and internal wrangling.

The operators vowed to engage the government as one formidable force over the CVFF and other sundry issues on shipping.

Captain Taiwo Akinpelu, a member of the steering committee of NISA said Shipowners will seek the National Assembly’s interpretation of the Act establishing the fund to know whether it belongs to Shipowners or the government.

He also affirmed that preliminary investigation by the group had shown that President Muhammadu Buhari is yet to withdraw his approval for CVFF disbursement

Capt. Akimpelumi, who said the association has risen from the crisis that rocked it for so many years, said they are ready to fight and take possession of what belongs to them in the sector.

“We have consulted widely and we realised that nothing like suspension of the fund but, we know there is an internal politics of moving the fund from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to the Primary Lending Institute.”

“We will take every step to make sure the fund is disbursed, we contributed into the fund, I can assure that no withdrawal of approval but, on whether it is a government fund or shipowners’ fund, we will seek NASS interpretation but, going to court will be the last resort,” he said.

A former Secretary-General of NISA, Tunji Brown, who said shipowners supported the enactment of Cabotage act, on the belief that they will be better off, said poor cabotage act implementation has made the indigenous shipowners worse than ever before.

“Many of us has been in the shipping sector before Cabotage, we fought for the implementation of cabotage with the hope we will be better off but, that has not been possible.

He, however, disclosed that the factions in the group have all agreed to forge a common front to develop the nation’s shipping sector and maximise the potentials inherent in the sector.

Chief Isaac Jolapamo, the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) NISA, said the sector being capital intensive hasn’t enjoyed any government intervention nor incentives.

Jolapamo said every other sector of the economy have enjoyed government incentives in the past and even after the Covid-19 pandemic but none has come to the shipping sector.

He said, “No intervention or assistance for players in the industry from government.

“Only in Nigeria we see that maritime is not important, that is a sector that can fund Nigeria budget deficit yearly if properly harnessed.

“Funds were made available to other sectors of the economy, especially during and after the Covid-19 pandemic but, none was made available to us.

“So many offshore vessels belonging to foreigners are working unabated with few Nigerians working onboard the vessels also, those working are low-level officers so, Nigeria is losing out in capacity building as well,” he said.

Customs

Customs threatens to arrest, prosecute air travellers carrying currency above $10,000 threshold without declaration.

-as Nigeria tightens its anti- money laundering laws

Gloria Odion

The Nigeria customs service, in collaboration with other sister agencies, had engaged international airline operators in a sensitization exercise over the need to strengthen Nigeria’s anti- money laundering laws.

The sensitization programme, held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was meant to raise awareness on the importance of enforcing Nigeria’s currency declaration laws among inbound and outbound travellers.

The engemement addressed the role of airline personnel in ensuring compliance, especially in reminding passengers about declaration requirements through in-flight announcements, form distribution, and cooperation during customs checks.

Officials emphasised that any passenger carrying over the regulatory threshold, currently $10,000 or its equivalent, is required to make a declaration to the authorities.

Failure to comply, they warned, could result in seizure, investigation, and prosecution under Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws.

Additional requirements discussed included the mandatory submission of electronic manifests (e-Manifests) before aircraft arrival, as well as complete passenger details such as names, countries of origin and destination, and flight numbers, stating that these records allow customs and security officers to conduct targeted risk assessments and enhance border surveillance operations.

Assistant Comptroller of Customs in charge of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Unit, Salihu Mas’ud, led the engagement and expressed confidence in the outcomes.

According to him, the Service has already implemented several operational tools to support effective enforcement.

“What we have achieved so far is to be able to sensitise them. We’ve gone round to check all the points.

” We have dedicated search rooms for secondary searches. There are dedicated posts for currency declarations, and they are in place.

” Announcements are also being made on the Public Address System. We have also gotten the commitment of the airline operators to ensure that these announcements are also being made on board their flights,” he said.

He added, “We expect higher compliance, and it will strengthen our enforcement mechanism.

” It also ensures that defaulters and violators of currency declarations are detected promptly and forwarded for necessary investigation and prosecution.”

The sensitisation session highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration in securing Nigeria’s borders and preventing illicit financial flows.

With growing concerns over terrorism financing and smuggling of undeclared funds, the NCS said sustained partnerships with airline operators, airport authorities, and intelligence agencies will remain key to its success.

Headlines

Opeifa reaffirms commitment to infrastructural upgrade, staff welfare at Northern District headquarters of NRC in Zaria

Funso OLOJO

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has reaffirmed the commitment of the management of Nigerian Railway Corporation(NRC) to the upgrade of railway infrastructure and staff welfare at the Northern district headquarters of the corporation in Zaria.

Opeifa made the pledge while touring critical assets and infrastructure at the corporation’s district headquarters, Zaria in Kaduna state.

The visit was part of the Managing Director’s ongoing nationwide assessment tour of operational facilities and infrastructure under the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

During his time in Zaria, Dr. Opeifa met with district management and staff, inspected key installations, and reviewed ongoing and upcoming projects in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.

As part of his engagement, Dr. Opeifa met with the Staff,Nigerian Union of Railwaymen (NUR), the Senior Staff Association (SSA), Pilot Drivers on training and the Pensioners.

He reassured railway pensioners that issues concerning outstanding pensions are already being addressed, and urged them to remain calm, adding that concrete steps are being taken to resolve all concerns.

“We understand the importance of pension to our retired personnel, and I want to assure you that everything necessary is being done,” Dr. Opeifa stated.

“I will do all within my power to ensure that you receive what is rightfully yours.”

During the visit, Dr. Opeifa also toured key support facilities including the NRC Training School, the District Clinic, the Central Workshop, and the Permanent Ways Hotel.

He commended the efforts of the staff managing these facilities but emphasized the urgent need for upgrades and modernization to improve service delivery, staff welfare, and capacity building.

“To truly transform the Nigerian Railway system, we must also invest in our people, their health, their training, and the infrastructure that supports them,” he remarked.

In a show of gratitude and support, the Railway District Manager (RDM) of the Northern District Zaria , Engr. Adedeji Adewala Rasheed, thanked the Managing Director for the visit and reaffirmed the district’s commitment to the national vision.

“We are honoured by your presence, sir, and I assure you that the Northern District will always be ready to receive you at any time,” Engr. Rasheed stated.

“The Iron Men of this district stand firmly behind you and will give you their full support to ensure that your objectives in transforming the railway system are fully achieved.”

Dr. Opeifa emphasized the importance of the Northern District to the national railway network, particularly in enhancing connectivity between key cities, boosting trade and agricultural logistics, and supporting economic development across the northern region.

“We are committed to revitalizing the railway system across the country, and Zaria remains a critical hub in this transformation,” he added.

“Our focus is on efficiency, safety, and long-term sustainability, ensuring that the NRC meets the demands of a modern transport system.”

The Managing Director was warmly received by other senior officials, who briefed him on current operations, challenges, and areas of opportunity.

Dr. Opeifa assured the team of continued support and strategic interventions aimed at improving service delivery and expanding rail infrastructure.

This visit underscores the NRC’s dedication to closer engagement with its regional offices and stakeholders, reaffirming its mission to deliver reliable and world-class rail transport services for Nigeria.

Headlines

NIMASA reaffirms confidence in indigenous technical ability in ship building and repairs

Funso OLOJO

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has expressed confidence in the technological competence and abilities of indigenous engineers to carry out ship building and repairs locally.

Dr Mobereola made this assertion in Lagos during his visit to Nigerdock at Snake Island integrated Free Zone,where he had gone to inspect and assess the ongoing maintenance work on the DB Lagos, a special mission vessel used for maritime surveillance and national security operations.

The vessel plays a vital role in combating oil theft, smuggling, illegal immigration, and other maritime crimes within Nigeria’s waters.

Speaking during the inspection, Dr. Mobereola expressed satisfaction with the progress made and described the project as a clear demonstration of Nigeria’s capability to handle sophisticated ship repairs and construction.

“What I am seeing here today is a testimony to the fact that we have the ability not only to repair but also to build here in Nigeria,” he stated.

He further emphasized that the inspection aligns with the vision of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who has prioritized the development of local capacity in shipbuilding and repairs.

“We at NIMASA are demonstrating our belief in this vision by maintaining our own vessels here,” Dr. Mobereola added.

The visit underscores NIMASA’s drive to promote indigenous maritime infrastructure, enhance national security, and advance sustainable growth in Nigeria’s maritime sector.