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Maritime lawyers raise concerns over sanctity of  Nigeria’s sovereign in Danish killing of pirates on Nigeria’s waters

Mrs Funke Agbor

 

Eyewitness reporter
The Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) on Saturday in Lagos has expressed concerns about the killing of four alleged pirates in the Gulf of Guinea.

The alleged pirates were reported to have been killed by the Danish Navy from their frigate, ESBERN SNARE, operating within the waters of the Gulf of Guinea

NMLA President, Mrs Funke Agbor and the association’s Secretary, Dr Emeka Akabogu, raised the concerns in a statement in which they expressed worries about the sanctity of Nigeria’s sovereignty.

They stated that the association supported all efforts to rid the Gulf of Guinea of piracy, maritime offences and all forms of criminality, but were worried about the application of the rule of law.

“The association is concerned about the sanctity of Nigeria’s sovereignty, application of the rule of law, and respect for protocols of engagement with regard to the instant incident.

“The incident was alleged to have occurred in international waters, 25 to 30 nautical miles south of Nigeria’s territorial waters.

“The association calls for an independent inquiry focused on establishing the precise location of this incident and whether there had been compliance with the relevant rules of engagement,’’ the statement read.

The association also called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA) to immediately kick-start the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive maritime strategy for Nigeria.

It stated the need for the implementation of a maritime strategy as mandated by the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act 2019.
The Act incorporates strategic security synergy between all law enforcement and commercial shipping actors.

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Headlines

NPA commences rehabilitation of dilapidated infrastructure at Lagos ports with $700m loan from Citibank

Mohammed Bello-Koko, NPA MD
The Eyewitness Reporter 
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has finally secured a loan of $700 million from Citibank to be funded by the UK Export  Finance (UKEF) , an export credit agency, to rehabilitate the Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports, Lagos.
The Ports Authority has also opened a discussion with another funding agency to secure financing for upgrading the Eastern Ports including Calabar, Warri,  Onne and Rivers Ports as well as the reconstruction of the Escravos breakwater.
Speaking in Lagos on Wednesday during the signing of the mandate letter with Citibank Nigeria, Managing Director of the NPA,  Mohammed Bello-Koko, said the mandate letter will be sent to the Debt Management Office for final review and approval.
He said the funds are ready and the reconstruction of the Lagos Ports will start soonest even as the NPA perfects plans to sign another mandate letter for the upgrading of the Eastern Ports in about a month.
“In the last two years, NPA has realised the need for us to rehabilitate and reconstruct the ports all over the country.
” We have been having discussions with multilateral funding agencies who have sent various proposals that we have reviewed.
“What we did is to further discussion with interested parties and we realised is better is to separate the ports in Lagos from the ports in the East, and we are in discussion with other funding agencies to fund the construction of ports outside Lagos,” he said.
According to him, the Citibank facility is the cheapest for the Ports Authority because it comes with affordable interest rates.
“Port efficiency is not about automation which we have already begun, it’s also about the physical infrastructure, which must be in place and that’s why we are automating. Automation will naturally bring efficiency, increase revenue and plug leakages, ” he said.
Bello-Koko said that the NPA putting the Port Community System in place, which is a platform that will improve trade facilitation.
“Currently in Nigeria, importers or exporters fill up to 30 to 40 forms for one transaction but the Port Community System will reduce the numbers of forms, human interference and ensure speedy clearance process in or out of the country,” he added
Earlier, the Managing Director of Citibank Nigeria Limited, Ireti Samuel-Ogbu, said the bank is committed to supporting NPA and the federal government in bridging the infrastructure gap.
“We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with NPA especially being the collection bank for foreign and local currency port levies.
“Now, supporting this strategic initiative through export credit financing to upgrade port infrastructure in Tin-Can and Lagos Ports is commendable. However, we are committed in supporting NPA and the Nigerian Government in all its endeavours, especially in the infrastructure space.
According to her, Citibank was opportune to have met with Wale Edun, Minister of Finance, a few weeks ago where the port upgrading project was mentioned and he was very delighted about the project.
“Since NPA generates its own foreign revenue, we will be able to support foreign facility from our resources because this project is very strategic and an important project for NPA and the country at large.
“We are looking forward to this project and we thank NPA for giving us this opportunity and hope to bring this to fruition as soon as possible,” Samuel-Ogbu said.
In 2023, Bello Koko said the NPA was sourcing about $1.1b in loans to rehabilitate the dilapidated infrastructure at the nation’s ports.
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Customs

Vicious smugglers lynch young customs officer to death in Katsina , CGC mourns, orders investigation

The Eyewitness Reporter
A young Customs Officer, Customs Assistant II, Auwal Haruna, has been killed by suspected smugglers at the Gamji Makaho checkpoint in Dankama area of Katsina State on April 17th, 2024.
The officer, said to have been commissioned into the Nigeria Customs Service less than a year ago, was said to have fallen victim to the rampaging irate mob who was said to have overrun the Customs team which tried to stop a convoy of about 50 vehicles suspected to be smuggling illicit items outside the country.
According to the statement signed by Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, the deceased officer, who later died from the fatal injuries inflicted on him, has since been buried according to the Muslim rites.
However, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the entire NCS fraternity have extended heartfelt condolences to the family of CA II Auwal Haruna.
Adeniyi also condemned the senseless act of violence that led to the untimely death of the young officers and assured to institute a comprehensive investigation into this tragic incident to ensure justice is served.
“The CGC underscores the perilous challenges officers face in their daily mission to safeguard the nation’s borders.
“Under his stewardship, he assures that the NCS stands firmly united with the fallen officer’s family during this period of profound grief.
“The NCS remains steadfast in its efforts to combat illegal activities such as smuggling, prioritising Nigeria’s border integrity while ensuring the safety of citizens and dedicated customs personnel” disclosed Adeniyi.
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Headlines

Implementation of National Single Window will save Nigeria $4 billion lost to corruption at ports annually– Tinubu

The Eyewitness Reporter 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has projected that Nigeria will save a whooping sum of $4 billion being lost annually to red tapism and corruption at the nation’s ports when the country digitalizes its trade through national single window project.

Tinubu, who was ecstatic at the prospect of digitalisation of import and export trade at the nation’s ports, made this assertion while unveiling the national single window project at the President Villa on April 16th, 2024.
Describing the project as transformative, the President said it will  propel the nation’s economy to new heights as it will simplify import and export trade by eliminating bureaucracy and corruption.
While inaugurating the committee to drive the project, Tinubu said the initiative has the capability to break long-standing developmental barriers in advancing the progress, prosperity, and well-being of every Nigerian.
He said the project is  a game-changer that will revolutionize the way trade is conducted in the country, and with the Office of the President overseeing the steering committee that will drive the reform process forward.
The  President said by simplifying government trade compliance through a digital platform, Nigeria will unlock the doors to economic prosperity.
 “This initiative will link our ports, government agencies, and key stakeholders, creating a seamless and efficient system that will facilitate trade like never before.”

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale,  Tinubu noted that paperless trade alone is estimated to bring an annual economic benefit of around $2.7 billion, noting that countries like Singapore, South Korea, Kenya, and Saudi Arabia have already seen significant improvements in trade efficiency after implementing single window systems.

“It is time for Nigeria to join their ranks and reap the rewards of a streamlined, digitized trade process” the President said.

” As your President, I have always believed in the immense potential of our great nation. We are a people blessed with resilience, creativity, and an unwavering spirit of enterprise.
” However, for far too long, our economic growth has been hindered by existing complexities and inefficiencies in our trade processes. Today, we say no more!

“Imagine a Nigeria where businesses can save time and resources, where small enterprises can reach global markets, and where the informal e-commerce sector is brought into the fold, increasing our tax revenue base.

” This is the Nigeria we are building with the National Single Window.
” We cannot afford to lose an estimated $4 billion annually due to red tape, delays, and corruption at our ports.
“The National Single Window will address these issues head-on, preventing revenue leakage and facilitating effective trade.
” By doing so, we will create a more transparent, secure, and business-friendly environment that will attract investment and spur economic growth”.

Continuing, Tinubu emphasized that the implementation of the NSW would not be an overnight process as it would require dedication, collaboration, and a phased approach in view of continental ramifications that extend far beyond national development imperatives alone.

“I assure you, my fellow Nigerians, that we are fully committed to seeing this project through.

“We will work tirelessly to ensure its success, engaging with all partner agencies and stakeholders to create a system that works for everyone.
“Moreover, the National Single Window is not just about Nigeria. By linking our system with those of other African nations, we will expedite cargo movement and optimize intra-Africa trade.
“This initiative is a testament to our commitment to regional integration and our belief in the power of collaboration”.

“I call upon every Nigerian to embrace this initiative with open arms. Let us work together, as one nation, to make the National Single Window a resounding success.
” Let us show the world that Nigeria is ready to take its rightful place as a leader in global trade.
” Together, we will build a Nigeria that is stronger, more prosperous, and more united than ever before.
” The National Single Window is our gateway to that future, and I am honoured to lead us on this transformative journey”

Giving an insight into the initiative, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Zacch Adedeji said data harmonization is a crucial component of the initiative, which involves enabling efficient capture, definition, analysis, and reconciliation of regulatory trade documents within one unified technological mechanism.

According to the FIRS boss, we will reduce barriers to efficient timing, improve economic metrics, increase transparency, reduce trade costs, and boost revenue.

” The implementation plan will be carefully crafted with short-term, medium-term, and long-term phases to ensure a smooth and effective rollout.
” The success of this project hinges on the unwavering commitment and collaboration of all stakeholders.
“It requires strong government participation and engagement from all partner agencies.
“Together, we will work tirelessly to overcome any obstacle and ensure the seamless implementation of the National Single Window project.

He also explained that with the NSW, Nigeria is ushering in a new wave of economic prosperity, efficiency, and boundless opportunities.

“The National Single Window is not just a project. It is a symbol of our collective aspiration and our determination to build a better Nigeria for all of our people.
The Single Window solution interconnects all stakeholders involved in foreign trade and enables them to perform trade procedures on one platform.
 The Single Window provides a comprehensive online environment for all governmental and business users such as importers, exporters, declarants, commercial banks, carriers, Customs, ministries, and other government agencies to perform trade operations.
By simplifying and automating Customs and trade processes, traders and Government agents benefit from smoother processes that enable a reduction of clearance times.
The Unified Trade Window secures Government revenue and improves the overall country’s image in international trade indicators.
The Managing  Director NPA, Mohammed Bello KoKo, who was named by the President as part of the Implementation Committee, had earlier led the NPA to enlist the technical guidance of the International  Maritime Organization (IMO)in preparedness for the seamless implementation of NSW with the Authority’s finalization of the consultancy for the Port Community System, which lays the groundwork for the National Single Window.
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