Headlines
Bello-Koko excites stakeholders with star performance
—-says Nigerian ports are still cheaper
—-as NPA remits over N89.9 billion in six months.
Eyewitness reporter
Mohammed Bello-Koko, the Acting Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has insisted that doing business at the Nigerian Ports is still cheaper despite the generally held belief in the industry.
Bello-Koko, who providence smiled on in May, 2021 when he was elevated to the position of the helmsman of the rich government parastatal following the indefinite suspension of Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, disproved this widely-believed myth when he presented his scorecard to the House of Representatives Committee on Ports and Harbour.
In his account of his performance within the six months of his stewardship, the Acting MD said that
NPA has raised its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) between January and September 2021 by 120 percent.
According to documents he presented to the lawmakers, Bello- Koko said the NPA has also reduced its operating expenses by 20 per cent of its budget for this year.
“As at the end of September 2021, the Authority earned N256.28bn in IGR as against the expected N214.65bn (approved estimate N271.70bn) for the same period, representing a performance of 120% or 95% of its total annual budget for 2021.
“For operating expenses, as at the end of September 2021, actual spending stood at N55.10bn as against the budgeted figure of N65.49bn, comprising employees’ benefits, pension costs, towage services, supplies, repairs & maintenance, and other administrative overheads.
“This indicates a “savings” of N10.39bn or 85% performance of the approved budget of N87.32bn.
“Furthermore, in compliance with the quarterly remittance of its operating surplus to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) and provisions of the Finance Act 2020, the Authority has remitted the sum of N62.66bn to CRF for the year 2021 as of October 31, 2021, while a cumulative sum of N89.9bn has been transferred to the CRF in the last six months.
” At the current state of increased revenue drive, it is projected that the Authority will exceed its 2021 revenue projections and the projected transfer to the CRF for the year 2021 which is expected to be over N80bn, which would be the highest in the history of the Authority.
The NPA’s helmsman informed the House Committee that contrary to news reports insinuating that Nigerian ports are the most expensive in the sub-region, a study commissioned by the Authority with the support of UKAid in 2019, indicated that it is cheaper for general and container vessels to berth in Nigeria than in Ghana or Togo.
He explained that a huge chunk of what shippers or cargo owners spend to clear their consignments include terminal and freight charges paid to terminal operators and shipping companies, payments for customs duty, inspection services, haulage, insurance and other sundry trade levies and fees, which are outside the purview of the Authority.
“Aside from the towage dues which were reviewed in 2015, Port tariffs in Nigeria have remained same since 1993”, he said.
Following his assumption of office in May this year, the Acting Managing Director has taken deliberate steps to reposition the Authority to focus on cost-optimization and quality service delivery while maximizing business value for port operators and users.
Accordingly, the Bello Koko-led Management has focused on improving the overall efficiency of the country’s port industry.
To support the economic diversification agenda of the Federal Government through the promotion of non-oil exports, the Authority has partnered with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) for the establishment of third-party dedicated export terminals or export parks to be located in Lagos and Ogun states.
The initiative is aimed at the processing, packaging, and certification of exports under a one stop platform that houses all relevant agencies responsible for quality control and regulatory validation of exports before shipment.
“The objective is to enhance and fast-track Nigerian export cargo for shipment at the export parks without any further port clearance protocol.
“A pilot project has been established at the Lilypond Container Terminal in Lagos, while 10 other exports terminals are in the process of being certified in order to begin operations by 1st quarter of 2022” Bello-Koko declared.
The Authority, according to him, is in the process of consolidating its various electronic platforms under a unified port community system.
He listed some of the technology platforms which the agency uses to boost service delivery to include, Oracle Financials and Human Resources Planning, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Revenue & Invoicing Management System (RIMS), e-Ship Entry Notice (e-SEN) and customs portal for online submission of bills.
Others are Hyperion budgeting, 3CI (Command, Control and Communication & Intelligence), Truck Call-Up Access Control, Harbours System Linked with the 3CI for harmonization of vessel operations.
“The Management agenda is to consolidate all the platforms into a single port community system to allow for ease of transaction and eliminate impediments associated with manual processes.
” It is noteworthy that, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is providing technical aid to the Authority for the development of the Port Community System” the NPA helmsman declared.
To ensure immediate commencement of port Infrastructure & Rehabilitation, he told the lawmakers that the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMOT) has constituted a Technical Committee with the purpose to identify the operational issues of the ports and assessing the state of the existing port Infrastructure starting with the ports in Lagos.
A technical consultant engaged for that study, he further disclosed, has already concluded the preliminary assessment of the ports.
“The NPA is already reviewing alternative sources of long term, low-interest capital for port infrastructure development by engaging reputable funding institutions like the African Development Bank, the Chinese Exim Bank and other Infrastructure Development Agencies.
“In addition, port terminal operators are also being encouraged to explore such windows to fund the rehabilitation of the facilities and port equipment with amortisation as an option of recouping investments.
“This is to ensure immediate commencement of rehabilitation of the ports and quay walls and also deeper drafts to accommodate large modern-day vessels,” Bello Koko said.
The first public action of the Bello Koko-led management was to rejig the implementation of the electronic call-up system for trucks (known as ETO).
It ensured all identified lapses associated with the system were addressed, particularly breaches observed while the Taskforce saddled with the responsibility of enforcing compliance was in charge.
Series of stakeholder engagements were held with the top hierarchy of the Military, the Nigerian Police, other security agencies, the Lagos State Government and other critical industry stakeholders.
The outcome of these engagements led to tremendous improvement in travel time along the Apapa port access roads in Lagos.
The Authority in conjunction with the FMOT also reached out to the Federal Ministry of Works on the timely completion of the reconstruction of Sunrise Bus Stop to the Mile 2 stretch of the Tincan Island Port corridor.
To complement the above, the NPA also launched “Operation Green” to remove and clear all illegal structures and shanties on the Apapa and Tincan Island Port access roads.
A great deal of success was recorded by this operation as exemplified by the resultant free flow of traffic to and from the ports.
The Authority is cashing on this success to embark on awareness and sensitization of port stakeholders to drum support towards the implementation of a sustainable policy on traffic decongestion along port corridors.
In this regard, the NPA has just procured twenty-four (24) motorcycles to be added to existing assets and in support of continuing collaboration and operations for better traffic management to the ports.
The agency is also making efforts to address identified areas of security vulnerabilities with the deployment of Electronic Access Control with Apapa and Onne ports as pilot projects, while procurement process has commenced for the full perimeter fencing of Tincan Island Port Area to further consolidate compliance with ISPS code.
Further compliance to ISPS code, especially as it relates to vulnerabilities of the port’s waterfront, Management has procured 13 units of Security Patrol Boats (SPB) ready to be deployed across all pilotage districts including the establishment of Marine Police units in Calabar and Delta ports where none currently exists.
“This would reduce incidents of attack on vessels around the port area and boost the confidence of the international shipping community to use Nigerian ports.
“To enhance efficient marine services, particularly monitoring and facilitation of communication with vessels, the management renovated the dilapidated Control Towers at both Apapa and Tincan ports and new communication gadgets have been installed to ensure prompt and effective communication with vessels coming into the port channels.
” This has led to significant improvement in harbour services as well as an increase in port revenue. In addition, various marine equipment like Pilot Cutters, Security Patrol Boats and Tug Boats are also being deployed.
“To improve cargo evacuation from the port and facilitate the quick return of empty containers to the port, the management has reviewed the modalities for registration and operations of barges.
” The new regulatory framework which includes a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) took effect from 1st September 2021.
“It provides for enforcement of the safety and operational standards including the requirement to install radio communication equipment on-board to facilitate the sharing of traffic information.
“Furthermore, the Authority is in the process of deploying an electronic call-up system for barges, similar to the one for trucks, to streamline their operations and movements. It has approved rates for barge operations which will ensure more revenue to the Government.
“Similarly, the Authority has supported the use of privately managed jetties as part of measures to optimize inland barge services at the port.
” This has encouraged barging as a model for the promotion of inter-modal transportation.
” The use of barges has taken some pressure off the roads. The movement of cargo by barge this year alone has recorded well over 200,000 TEUs.
“This has also generated huge employment opportunities; in stevedoring, terminal operations and other marine services.
” It also becomes another revenue stream to the Authority in particular and Government in general.
“To address the menace created by trucks carrying empty containers and to ensure that Nigeria is not made a dumping ground for empties, the Authority began to enforce the return of empties, where vessels are compelled to ship back at least 80% of the number of imports shipped in.
“To guarantee the safety of records and documentation, the NPA Management recently commissioned an ultra-modern and fully digitalized archival system of document preservation and storage”
Bello-Koko told the lawmakers that he has managed to steady the ship by running an inclusive style of administration along with regular consultation with relevant agencies of government and trade groups operating in the port.
It is no surprise that the current NPA leadership has won plaudits from industry stakeholders for focusing on costs optimization to shore up revenue accruable to the government, exploring alternative funding sources to address aging port infrastructure and repositioning Nigeria as the hub for maritime trade in Africa.
As 2021 winds down, feelers from the new administration suggest that all hands are on deck to ensure that the Authority remains a veritable and profitable national asset, even as the Bello Koko-led management shore up its responsibilities to customers under a business-friendly port system, without compromising on security.
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Customs
Tinubu celebrates Adeniyi on his 59th birthday
Headlines
EFCC discovers Yahoo training school in Benin city
-arrests 25 students undergoing training in cybercrimes
Funso OLOJO
The operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has on Thursday January 16th, 2025, uncovered a Yahoo academy in Benin city, Edo State, where young Nigerians are undergoing training in the act of internet fraud.
During the raid, the anti- graft agency arrested 25 suspected internet fraudsters in the cybercrimes training centre
The suspects’ arrest at their hideout was triggered by credible intelligence that indicated the apartment being used as a yahoo academy or training school for internet-related fraud and other fraudulent activities.
Items recovered from the suspects include six exotic cars, laptops and phones.
The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
Customs
Onyeka, Tin Can CAC, set to pursue revenue generation aggressively
— vows to surpass 1 trillion naira revenue record
Funso OLOJO
The Area Controller of the Tin Can island command of the Nigeria customs service, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, has set an ambitious goal of meeting and surpassing the one trillion naira revenue mark achieved last year by his predecessor, ACG Dera Nnadi.
It would be recalled that the command was given a revenue target of N1.4 trillion in 2024 while it realized a little about N1.226 trillion ,an unprecedented record that was never achieved in the history of the command.
Meanwhile, Comptroller Onyeka, has vowed to sustain the revenue momentum as he would aggressively pursue revenue collection.
Speaking while playing host to the Executive council of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria(MARAN) which paid him a courtesy visit in his office on Friday, January 17th, 2025, the Customs chief disclosed his strategy to carry out his assignment.
According to him, he would facilitate legitimate trade, ensure 100 percent examination of all imports while he would energise his men and officers to key into his vision.
“I’ll facilitate trade, but it has to be legitimate trade. That’s what I feel I should do in the strict sense.
“You know, I’m coming from the aspect of revenue. So, it is my prayer and my hope to meet my target and surpass it.
“But principally, what I am going to fight is the ability to do this job without examination.
“I have appealed to my officers, whatever it is they have to do, let them see the containers, once we’ve examined them, everything should be on cruise control because if you examine, you’ll now know if it’s supposed to go out or not.
“I’ve involved Customs Intelligence Unit, CIU, I’ve involved Valuation Unit, I’ve spoken to all relevant Units and it’s my prayer, by the grace of God, that all of us will be on the same page to make sure that the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is brought to fruition” he noted.
He was full of gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi , for the confidence reposed in him and vowed never to disappoint him.
“I also appreciate the fact that our indefatigable Comptroller General Of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi to whom I’m very grateful.
“He needs to be made to know that he didn’t make any mistake for him to have brought me here.
“I am very grateful to him and his management team, and I need to make him proud” he enthused.
Comptroller Onyeka also vowed to build on the foundation that has been laid by his predecessor, Assistant Comptroller General Dera Nnadi.
“In anti-smuggling, he did well. In revenue generation, he did superbly well, same goes for infrastructure development.
“His Public Relations was top-notch, which I’m going to leverage.
“He was fortunate to have what I consider a very fantastic rapport with the media because that’s his background. I intend to leverage that. I intend to do better in that aspect” he added.
Earlier, in his address, the President of MARAN, Mr Godfrey Bivbere expressed the willingness of the association to partner with the CAC and the Command to achieve the target ahead of the command.
He reiterated the firm resolution of the association to accord Comptroller Onyeka the same support accorded to his predecessor.
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