Headlines

Sambo vows to break CVFF disbursement jinx

—–as he lauds NIMASA on capacity-building initiative

The Eyewitness reporter

For the umpteenth time, the Minister of Transportation, Eng. Muazu Sambo has reiterated his avowed wish to disburse the controversial Cabotage Vessel Financing Funds(CVFF) to the deserving indigenous ship owners.

The minister made this repeated pledge during his visit to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) headquarters.

Sambo, who was apparently impressed by the litany of achievements of the agency under its dynamic leadership led by Dr. Bashir Jamoh, swore that he would break the jinx which the disbursement of the controversial intervention fund has come to represent.

“If there is a jinx about the CVFF, I am going to break it by getting it disbursed to deserving Nigerians, he swore.

He stated that President Buhari’s administration, Ministry of Transportation and NIMASA administration stand to gain from the disbursement of the funds as they would take the credit.

“If these funds are disbursed, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and the Federal Ministry of Transportation will take credit, while it remains a legacy in your administration”, the Minister told his host.

He said he was working with the management of NIMASA to ensure its disbursement which he said will further boost shipping activities in the maritime industry.

Sambo also commended Dr Jamoh and his team for what he described as dizzying achievements and transformation of agency which he said has changed from what it used to be a decade ago.

“NIMASA of today have come a long way from the NIMASA I knew ten years ago.

“I commend the entire Management and Staff of the Agency for raising the bar, it is a symbol of teamwork.

“I am impressed with the customer experience center and your efforts to attract young Nigerians into the maritime sector via various capacity development projects including the essay competition for secondary school students”.

He further applauded the agency for remaining focused on the delivery of its mandate, noting that the Agency has a better image than what it was ten years ago.

Sambo, who was in the company of his Minister of State Prince Ademola Adegoroye and the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, called for a more strategic relationship between NIMASA and other parastatals under the supervision of the Ministry, in addition to the Nigerian Navy and members of the Nigerian Armed forces towards ensuring the success of the Deep Blue Project is a success.

On his part, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh thanked the Minister for his dynamic leadership in steering the affairs of the Ministry, while also assuring that the Agency remains committed to actualizing its mandate as stipulated in the four enabling Acts of the National assembly for a robust and attractive maritime sector in Nigeria.

He further used the opportunity to intimate the Minister on some of the activities of the Agency in realizing a robust maritime sector which includes; obtaining approval for physical and monetary incentives for ship owners to purchase brand new vessels at zero duty, while also assisting them to get foreign exchange at the Central Bank of Nigeria rate respectively.

The move, according to the DG, is to help phase out old and rickety vessels from the nation’s waterways and encourage more participation in the Nigerian shipping industry.

Jamoh further informed his visitors that under the Deep Blue Project, 600 Special Forces from the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, and Department of State Security, among others are undergoing training for special skills to ensure effective implementation of the Project. The intent is to ensure that the nation’s waterways remain safe from all forms of criminalities.

He also informed the Minister that under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) scheme over 2,000 Nigerians have undergone training, out of which about 800 are actively engaged on various ships, with a vast number of them working on the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) ships.

He added that NIMASA is developing a National Ship Building and Infrastructure Development Strategy, aimed at bridging the gap of capacity building for trained seafarers.

Other achievements listed include but are not limited to; Enhanced Maritime Safety administration through effective Ports and Flag states inspection on foreign and Nigerian flagged vessels, Enforcement of safety regulations on barges and tug boats through Operation Sting Ray, Reactivation of online seafarers Certificate of Competency verification platform, and commenced activities towards ensuring GHG emission reduction in the maritime sector with an emphasis on achieving 0.5% Sulphur Oxide (SO2) in Bunker fuel oil.

The Minister also undertook a tour of the NIMASA Maritime Stakeholders experience Contact Center MSECC.

The 24-hour Center serves as a platform for both internal and external stakeholders to resolve any issue within the stipulated 24 hours.

Customs

Customs buckles as it suspends implementation of 4 per cent FOB charge

Funso OLOJO

In a manner demonstrative of a listening administration,the management of the Nigeria Customs service has suspended the implementation of the controversial 4 per cent Free on Board(FOB) charge on imports.

The suspension followed the outcry that greeted the implementation of the novel charge which importers and their agents said was jumped on them by the customs without notice nor consultation.

To allow enough time for stakeholders’ consultation and sensitization, the Customs said the suspension was sequel to the ongoing discussion with the Minister of Finance, Mr Adewale Edun.

In a press statement by the Customs management , the service disclosed that the timing of the suspension aligns with the exit of the contract agreement with the Service providers, including Webb Fontaine, which were previously funded through the 1% Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS).

” The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) hereby announces the suspension of the

implementation of 4% Free-on-Board (FOB) value on imports as provided in Section 18(1)(a) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCSA) 2023.

“This is sequel to ongoing

consultations with the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Olawale Edun and other Stakeholders.

“This suspension will enable comprehensive stakeholder engagement and consultations regarding the Act’s implementation framework.

“This presents an opportunity to

review our revenue framework holistically.

“Under the previous funding arrangement repealed by the NCSA 2023, separating the 1% CISS and 7% cost of collection created operational inefficiencies and funding gaps in customs

modernisation efforts.

“The new Act addresses these

challenges by consolidating “not less than 4% of the Free-on-Board value of

imports,” designed to ensure sustainable funding for critical customs operations and modernisation initiatives.

“This transition period will allow the Service to optimise the management of these frameworks to serve our stakeholders and the nation’s interests better.

“The Act further empowers the Service to modernise its operations through

various technological innovations.

“Specifically, Section 28 of the NCSA 2023 authorises developing and maintaining electronic systems for information exchange between the Service, Other Government Agencies, and traders.

“The Service is already implementing several digital solutions, including the recently deployed B’Odogwu clearance system, which stakeholders are benefiting from through faster clearance times and improved transparency.

“Other innovative solutions authorised

by the Act include; Single Window implementation (Section 33), Risk management systems (Section 32), Non-intrusive inspection equipment (Section 59) and Electronic data exchange facilities (Section 33(3)).

“The suspension period will allow the Service to further engage with

stakeholders while ensuring proper alignment with the Act’s provisions for

sustainable funding of these modernisation initiatives.

“The NCS remains committed to implementing the provisions of the Act in a manner that best serves our stakeholders while fulfilling our revenue generation and trade facilitation mandate.

“We will communicate the revised implementation timeline following the conclusion of stakeholder consultations” the service promised.

Headlines

MARAN convenes public discourse on controversial ICTN among contending parties

Funso OLOJO

Following the controversies that have trailed the planned introduction of the International Cargo Tracking Note, (ICTN), the Maritime Association of Nigeria, MARAN has disclosed that it is time to put the controversies to rest once and for all.

To this effect, the association, the leading maritime beat association in the industry, is set to organise an all important roundtable to examine all pertinent issues and controversies surrounding the concept and proffer lasting solutions.

The roundtable will bring together relevant players in the industry under one roof at the MARAN International Press Center in Apapa on Thursday, February 27, 2025 to dissect the subject – matter and point to the way forward.

Some of the key stakeholders expected at the event include Dr. Eugene Nweke of the Sea Empowerment and Research Center, SEREC, Dr. Segun Musa, Managing Director, Widescope Group will be on hand to deliver insightful address.

Other critical stakeholder expected at the event include Dr. Alban Igwe of the Importers Association of Nigeria and a representative from the Shippers’ Association Lagos State,SALS.

Two critical government agencies, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC who warehouses the ICTN, shall be delivering a paper on “Prospect And Challenges Of Proposed ICTN: NSC’s Perspective”, while the Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, the former custodian of the project ,shall also be speaking on “Prospect And Challenges Of Proposed ICTN, NPA’s Perspective” on that day.

Speaking on the need for the roundtable, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, President, MARAN, disclosed that there is an urgent need to put the controversies surrounding the issue to rest once and for all

“Since the news of the planned reintroduction of the ICTN filtered out, there have been widespread controversies from both the protagonists and antagonists of the concept, with each divide justifying its position”, the MARAN President noted.

“It has been a subject that has polarized the maritime industry and as the leading maritime beat association in Nigeria and in furtherance of our advocacy role, MARAN has decided to bring all the contending players under one roof to settle this issue once and for all in order to move forward and develop our sector which is very critical to the nation’s economy”, Bivbere concluded.

Headlines

Freight Forwarders call out NPA over duplication, illegal imposition of payment of ETO Call- up system fee on importers

Funso OLOJO

Freight Forwarders, under the egies of the Council of Managing Director of Licensed Customs Agents(CMDLCA) has accused the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) of illegally imposing the payment of fees for the ETO Call- up system on importers and their agents.

The National President of the Association, Mr Lucky Ayis Amiwero, make this allegations in his petition to the Managing Director of the NPA, Dr Abdulahi Datsotho.

In the petition dated January 25th, 2025 and a copy each sent to the Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Minister of Finance, Presidential Enabling Business Environment committee(PEBEC) and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Amiwero claimed that the payment of ETO Call- up system fees was not backed by any law.

He further submitted that the payment was a duplication as the importers and their agents have already paid for the service under the Port lease/ concession agreement as vehicle entry permit (VEP) and tenure parking rate(TPR) under maximum tariff for cargo due.

According to him ” ETO CALL-UP SYSTEM is not tied to any service on Import or Export for the processing of goods.

“it has no service that directly involves service to Importer/Licensed Customs Agents(LCA) but is an infrastructure developed for the access of Transport in to the Port, as a result of faulty Port Lease/ Concession Agreement that exclude Trailer Park and Holding Bay which clearly contravenes Trade Facilitation Agreement(TFA)”

Amiwero said that it was the responsibility of the NPA to free flow of traffic in and out of the Port to facilitate trade and not that of the importers and their agents.

He said the agency has to do this with passing its financial implications to the importers and their agents.

” It is strictly Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) responsibility to regulate Traffic, within the Limit of a Port or the approach to a Port under Section 32-(a) .

“it is the legal responsibility of the authority(NPA) to provide for ease of access to the port , it is part of Nigerian Port infrastructure which is to facilitate trucks in to the Port.

“It is the responsibility of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to regulate the Traffic and not that of the Licensed Customs Agents/Importer.

” The ETO CALL_UP system is an infrastructure that is owned and operated by NPA contractor to perform NPA function, due to faulty lease agreement which, initially excludes Trailer Parks and Holding bay from the Lease / Concession, Agreement ,creating the bottleneck and gridlock to Access the Port.

“The Lack of legal framework to regulate the Economic interest in the Port, has given the Concerned Agencies in the Port, room to impose all kind of illegal fees on the cargo interest without concern for Service tied to charges and who is responsible for payment.

“This imposition makes our Ports one of the most expensive and unattractive within the sub-region with multiple charges, levies, fees which are not approved or cargo related, just like the ETO- Call System introduced by NPA, that has no cargo service tied to it, is clearly the responsibility of Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) in line with Section 32-(a) Regulating Traffic, within the limit of the port or approach to the Port”

Amiwero further claimed that ETO Call- up system is part of the development of the Port which falls under the functions of the NPA which is part of the infrastructural development for the movement of vehicles.

Consequent on this, the freight forwarder wanted the NPA to utilise part of the 7 per cent Port development levy collected from importers and their agents on import for the execution and sustenance of ETO Call- up system.

“7% surcharge is paid by Nigerian Importers through the Licensed Customs Agents (LCA) on every import collected since 1978 till date.

“Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) should utilize part of their 7% to provide for truck access to the Port going to the Terminals, which is covered statutorily under section 32-(a)”

He blamed the PBE and the NPA for leasing the existing holding bays for truck which has now resulted to traffic gridlock due to lack of space for trucks.

“The holding bay for trucks, that existed before port concession agreement within and around the ports, was ceded out to Terminal Operators as well as Land space, without providing alternative.

“All such spaces were ceded to Terminal Operators, forcing the trucks owners to use the available Port access roads to hold empty containers and wait as holding bay awaiting access to the Port to load client consignment”

“Before the ceding of Port operation to Terminal Operator in 2005, there was no such thing as Gridlock, each Port operated their Holding bay, where tucks wait to load their respective consignments in and out of the Ports.

“The Ports operated their holding bay and trailer parks as follows:

APAPA PORT: Holding bay are in the Port

TIN CAN ISLAND PORT: Its holding bay was at the front of the port

LILYPOND TERMINAL: Its holding bay was under the bridge in front of the Port

BRAWAL/PAN-ATLANTIC JETTY: its holding bay was in front of the Jetty and

TRAILER PARKS: was at Beger by Kirikiri Junction”