Headlines

Adeyanju asks FG to consider Jamoh for second term in office as NIMASA DG

——as NIMASA gifts MWUN two operational vehicles.

The eyewitness reporter

Exactly three years into the four-year two – tenured terms in office as the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, has described Dr. Bashir Jamoh as deserving a second term tenure in office.

Apparently satisfied with the performance and welfare posture of the NIMASA DG, Adeyanju urged the federal government to consider Dr. Jamoh for a second term as the NIMASA DG based on his performance. This was even as the agency gifted the maritime labour union two operational vehicles.

“Based on performance, Jamoh deserves a second term in office.

“His achievements speak volumes. You made dialogue a way of life here at NIMASA and resolving labour-related issues have been seamless under your leadership.

” We have had good DG’s in the past, but Jamoh is exceptional.

“We have been watching you and we know you have the track record of fulfilling your promises; we charge you to continue as the union will continue to support the humanitarian policies of your Management”’ the maritime Labour leader enthused.

While presenting the two operational vehicles consisting of 16- seater bus and a Hilux utility vehicle purchased by NIMASA for the maritime labour union, Dr. Jamoh applauded the union for adopting dialogue in ensuring and maintaining peace in the maritime sector, which he said has aided the peace and industrial harmony witnessed in the sector leading to the successes recorded.

“In the past few years, the maritime industry has experienced relative peace and harmony, which has been made possible through the instrumentality of the leadership of MWUN.

“NIMASA is committed to ensuring the union is equipped with adequate facilities needed to perform their duties judiciously”.

He also charged the Union to continue to support the policies and instruments of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), towards ensuring better welfare and decent work for the seafarers.

“We acknowledge that you have done so much in championing the cause for better wages for Dockworkers, Seafarers, and other labour components in the maritime sector.

” We urge you to continue your stakeholders’ engagement in achieving implementation of international labour laws to achieve better welfare in consonance with international best practices for workers in the maritime sector”.

Furthermore, the DG assured that the agency would complete the renovation of the headquarters of the Union in order to give them a befitting habitation.

Comrade Adeyanju expressed the gratitude of the union to the management of NIMASA and assured that they will continue to work closely with the various stakeholders in the sector to ensure continuous progress.

“He also urged Terminal Operators, Government Agencies and other major maritime players to emulate NIMASA in the discharge of their CSR Projects.

The MWUN President General who is also the National Vice President of the Nigerian Labour Congress commended the leadership of NIMASA under Dr Jamoh urging the Federal Government to consider a second tenure based on performance.

“We will continue to play the role of stabilizing the sector. The era of confrontation in the maritime sector is gone, as we have embraced dialogue, which has ensured sustained peace and harmony.

” The leadership of NIMASA under Bashir Jamoh has excelled in staff welfare, regular staff promotion, and attending to the needs of stakeholders.

Both NIMASA and MWUN, therefore, restated their commitment to continuous stakeholders’ engagement as an effective tool to maintain the peace that the nation’s maritime sector has enjoyed in recent years.

Related Topics:featured Jamoh second term in office

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Customs

How NPA’ s ETO call- up system hampers seamless export processes at Lilypond Terminal — Customs

Funso OLOJO

The Customs Area Controller of the Lilypond Export Command, Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, has attributed the persistent delay in export cargo movement at the command to logistics issues associated with the Nigerian Port Authority’s Eto call-up system, rather than any bottlenecks from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Eto call- up system is a structured movement of container- laden trucks into the terminals meant to decongest Port access road and facilitate quick goods clearance at the port.

It was developed by the NPA and driven by a private company.

However, Comptroller Odusanya, speaking at a Roundtable with members of Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN),emphasized that while the command has streamlined the export process, lack of available slots for trucks to enter the ports remains a major challenge.

He noted that despite the command’s efforts, numerous containers remain stranded at Lilypond due to the inability of trucks to secure clearance under the Eto system.

He explained that prior to the implementation of a centralized export processing system, multiple customs units across Apapa, Tin Can, PTML, and Lekki ports handled export documentation.

However, in July 2024, the government directed the full centralization of all export processes under the Lilypond Export Command.

This move, driven by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and backed by agencies such as the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), was aimed at streamlining operations and reducing multiple checkpoints.

Odusanya revealed that between January and December 2024, the command processed exports valued at approximately $1.9 billion, a figure that could have been higher if the consolidation had occurred earlier in the year.

He added that in February 2025 alone, the command facilitated exports worth $225.1 million.

He attributed these successes to inter-agency collaboration, with Customs working alongside the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and quarantine services, among others.

Despite the improved export facilitation, Odusanya acknowledged that challenges persist, particularly with the Eto call-up system, which has created logistical constraints.

He explained that export containers often get delayed at Lilypond not due to customs processes but because of congestion at the ports, caused by import containers awaiting clearance.

He pointed out that while Apapa remains the busiest port for exports, the congestion problem is less severe at Tin Can due to the presence of an export processing terminal.

On the issue of the Nigerian Export Proceeds (NXP) form, Odusanya stated that the command has ensured compliance with all regulatory requirements.

He, however, acknowledged exporters’ concerns about the process and assured that Customs is working to facilitate seamless trade while ensuring adherence to financial regulations.

He urged maritime stakeholders, including the media, to continue sensitizing exporters on the ease of processing export goods through Lilypond, emphasizing that the command operates transparently and does not condone extortion.

He reiterated that officers at the entry points are strictly there to verify processed cargo and not to serve as an additional checkpoint.

Odusanya concluded by reaffirming the commitment of the Lilypond Export Command to supporting Nigeria’s growing export sector, ensuring efficiency in cargo movement, and addressing any emerging challenges in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

Economy

Dangote group remits N402.3 billion tax to government coffers in 2024

Gloria Odion

The Pan African Conglomerate, Dangote Industries Limited and its subsidiaries, have disclosed that it paid over N402 billion in taxes in 2024, making it the highest taxpayer in the country.

Dangote’s Chief Branding and Communication Officer, Anthony Chiejina, declared during a meeting with some senior media executives who visited him in his Lagos Office.

He said Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) and its subsidiaries, namely, Dangote Cement, NASCON, Dangote Packaging Limited among others, remitted a total of N402.319billion for the out-gone year as taxes as responsible business enterprises.

Recall that Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had in late 2024 recognised Dangote group and its subsidiary, Bluestar Shipping as the most tax compliant organizations in the country during its Special Day at the 2024 Lagos International Trade Fair organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

The Federal Inland Revenue Service is Nigeria’s agency responsible for assessing, collecting and accounting for tax and other revenues accruing to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Chiejina told his visitors that as a responsible business organisation, DIL and its subsidiaries have never shieded away from its obligations either to the government in the form of tax payment at all levels or to host communities in the form of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

According to him, the Group’s corporate strategy has evolved just as its businesses have grown, matured and diversified into new sectors and regions over the last four decades.

He noted that Dangote Group has almost single-handedly taken Nigeria to self-sufficiency in cement and refined petroleum products and is expanding rapidly across Africa.

Dangote Group and its subsidiaries were recognised as number one most compliant in tax payment in the country, just as its subsidiary Dangote Cement, the country’s leading cement manufacturer, at another occasion won three awards at the FMDQ Gold Awards in Lagos as the most active business in the Foreign Exchange market.

Dangote Cement Plc was adjudged as the Largest Commercial Paper Quotation on FMDQ and Single Largest Corporate Debt Issue on FMDQ.

Also, Dangote Industries Ltd also emerged as the “Most active corporate in the foreign exchange market”.

Headlines

NIWA Chairman charges Oyebamiji to phase out wooden boats from Nigeria’s waterways

Funso OLOJO

The newly appointed Chairman of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Hon.Musa Sarkin-Adar, has charged the management team of the Authority led by its Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, to phase out wooden boats from Nigeria’s waterways.

Musa Sarkin-Adar, who paid a

familiarization visit to the management team of NIWA in its Abuja liaison office, in a bid to minimize boat mishaps on the waterways.

He believed it would be a lasting legacy for the present leadership of NIWA if accidents could be minimized on the Waterways.

The Chairman’s advice is however in alignment with the NIWA’ s resolve to stamp out wooden and rickety boats on waterways.

However, Musa Sarkin-Adar further encouraged the NIWA team to do more in connecting other states in the water transportation.

He emphasized on the need for the involvement of the private sector in the development of water transportation, as government cannot do it alone.

In his response, Oyebamiji expressed appreciation for the visit and encouraging words of the chairman and pledged the commitment of of NIWA management to make the nation’s waterways safe and secure.

Oyebamiji also commended the efforts of his management team in the development of the Inland Waterways

Transportation sub-sector.

According to him, he is blessed with an experienced and dedicated team which he cannot take the glory alone.

The Chairman’s visit was attended by all the management staff of the Authority.