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Dosunmu decries proposed merger of NIMASA, Customs, FIRS

Dr. Ade Dosunmu

 

—-says idea counterproductive
— wants Hadiza Bala-Usman to guide Tinubu accordingly
The Eyewitness Reporter
Dr. Ade Dosunmu, the former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration And Safety Agency (NIMASA) has condemned in the strongest term the proposed merger of NIMASA with Nigeria Customs Service and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
It could be recalled that the economic team of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has proposed to the President the merger of these three government parastatals to shore up the revenue profile of the federal government.
However, Dosunmu, who was the NIMASA DG from May 2007 to July 2009, warned that such a move could spell doom for the Nigerian maritime industry.
“It is a very serious misconception and dangerous for the future of the shipping/ Maritime industry in Nigeria”
“I  can say the proposal in my view is like suggesting a merger of the Nigerian Navy with Nigeria  Civil Defence because the latter has responsibility for protecting critical national assets.
In a statement he sent to our reporter, Dusunmu declared unequivocally that NIMASA is not a revenue-generating agency.
According to him, the agency is a technical agency charged with shipping development and administration, safe and secured navigation and cleaner oceans whose functions should not be tampered with or watered down through merger.
Dosunmu, who dwelt extensively on the formation, functions and duties of NIMASA, said that rather than merging the agency with other organs of government, it should be strengthened for enhanced performance.
“It is therefore my humble position that the emphasis of Government should be on how to strengthen NIMASA to deliver more on its technical mandates and not merging it with agencies that are not compatible with its philosophy and objectives.
He warned of the dire consequences of such action as a merger.
“It is my strong view therefore that the proposed merger will be counterproductive with huge negative implications for Nigeria in the global shipping community.
“Our waters may be considered no longer safe for international shipping and that can affect the volume of maritime trade and eventually lead to a drop in revenue.
” Another implication is that our waters can become a destination for rickety ships and thereby becoming a dumping ground for shipwrecks and derelicts”
He observed that NIMASA could, in the course of its duties, generate revenue, part of which it remits to the Federation account, but said that is not enough reason to regard the agency as a revenue-generating agency due to its critical role in the development the maritime sector in Nigeria.
“Let me quickly point out that there is no doubt that in the course of discharging her technical mandate, NIMASA generates revenue and uses part of it to prosecute its technical regulatory functions.
“The surplus at the end of the year is paid into the federation account in line with the target set by the Ministry of Finance.
“However, the critical and urgent nature of some of these technical activities and the fact that they require an instant response is part of the reason NIMASA is allowed to retain its funds and sometimes not allowed to go through the bureaucracy of tendering e.g a vessel that is sinking or an  unexpected oil spill and pollution of the waters, or wreck that needs to be removed to ensure the safety of channels for Navigation, flag state inspection, survey, a regular patrol of our coastal waters and enforcement of necessary regulations”
Dosunmu however reminded President Tinubu of the critical role the maritime industry plays in the economic well-being of Nigeria and the logistics support it provides for the oil and gas industry, which is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy.
He, therefore, warned that the regulator and administration agency of this critical sector should not be killed in a trial and error policy of merger.
Instead, he advised the President to engage in wider consultation with the critical stakeholders before embarking on this policy.
“As former Director General/CEO of NIMASA, Executive Director (NIMASA), Assistant General Manager (NPA) and representative of Nigeria on the Council of International Maritime Organisation (IMO), my advice is that the Federal government under the able leadership of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR should consult major maritime stakeholders on issues affecting the Maritime industry for proper guidance.
 “The industry is the gateway to the economy of Nigeria and also very critical to the logistics aspect of the oil and gas industry since most of the crude oil production and exploration activities take place offshore Nigerian waters.
“Trial and error will not work. Rather, NIMASA being the regulator should be strengthened technically.
” The whole idea of merger should be set aside until wider consultation with the industry stakeholders is held.”
Dosunmu admonished Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman, the new Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination to use her vast experience in the industry as the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to properly guide Mr President on this critical matter.
“However, I am happy Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman, the former MD of the Nigerian Ports Authority, has been appointed by President Tinubu as the Special Adviser Policy Coordination.
 “Hadiza , whom I know is very abreast of the Nigerian Maritime sector, would be able to advise the President accordingly due to her expertise and experience in the industry”
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Headlines

May Day: Mobereola salutes maritime workers for passion, dedication to building virile industry 

Gloria Odion,  Maritime reporter 

The Director – General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has saluted the courage , passion and dedication of maritime workers to building strong and virile industry.
In his message at the Workers’ day on May 1st, 2026, the NIMASA DG extolled the virtues of workers and acknowledged the distinguished service of various stakeholders whose efforts he noted continue to significantly contribute to the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.
Dr. Mobereola, while wishing stakeholders a Happy Workers’ Day said “to all the amazing officers and stakeholders in the maritime sector who bring their passion and expertise to work daily.

“Thank you for your dedication and invaluable contributions”.

He emphasized that as a regulator, the Agency remains committed to its oversight function of regulating maritime labour activities in the industry in line with extant instruments and the expectations of the theme of the 2026 Workers’ Day, which focuses on safety, dignity and productivity.

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Customs

Kaila, Seme Customs CAC, seeks collaboration with stakeholders to achieve seemless trade along border corridor 

Funso OLOJO, Editor
The new Area Controller of the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, has  reached out to traditional rulers and  sister agencies at the border communities to ensure the achievement of his mandate of detection, determent of smuggling, revenue generation and trade facilitation along the border corridor.
To achieve these objectives, Comptroller Kaila went on tour of the communities within the border corridor where he met and sought for the support and cooperation of major critical stakeholders, including the traditional rulers and sister agencies.
According to him, his objective was to eradicate trade hindrances affecting free movement of goods and services along the Lagos-Abidjan business corridor.
Speaking at the Palace of Oba Akran of Badagry Kingdom, the Customs Area Controller condoled with the royal family and entire people of Badagry kingdom on the passing away of HRM De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I who was a well recognized traditional ruler across the border communities.
“”The purpose of my visit is to introduce myself as the Area Controller of Seme Command and to equally seek your royal blessing and support to achieve the core mandate of the service.
“Our priority remains to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling.
“And we in the Customs believe that without due support and co-operation from traditional rulers, we can not have effective performance of our functions as Customs officers” he said
 The King Regent, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, who described Kaila as the son of the soil, added that “We have listened to your request.
” Know that Badagry is a very peaceful town, and we will keep collaborating with you in safeguarding our borders and in promoting legitimate trade, ” he stated.
Comptroller Kaila also visited the Onibereko of Ibereko Awori-Kingdom, where the monarch, Oba Israel Okoya, signifies his commitment to fostering the service relationship with residents living within the border  communities
“I welcome you to Badagry and be rest assured that I will always talk to my people whenever the need is required.
” In our town, our youth does not engage in illegalities as I have no other choice than to assist you in achieving the government mandate, ” he mentioned
While at the Palace of Alapa of Apa Kingdom, the king HRM Oba Oyekan Ajose Ilufemiloye commended and described the CAC, Comptroller Kaila as a professional, seasoned and well respected officer as described by indigenes of border communities.
“I promise you that I will always assist you in my area for anything that you need.
“Our border here has been peaceful because our youth always listen to the elders, and I know with your presence here, things will change for the better, ” he said
In his efforts to consolidate on existing synergy between sister security agencies, Kaila also visited Headquarters of 653 Nigerian Air force base, Ahanve-Badagry.
The  Commanding Officer, Group Captain Hungruy  Medugu,expressed the  readiness of the formation to always support the command in achieving its mandate.
“Our collaboration has been key to various successes we have recorded in our area of responsibility.
” Your presence here strengthens existing bonds of inter-agency collaboration between both Services, and we will not take it for granted ,” he said
The Area Controller then ended his familirisation tour with seeking for mutual cooperation with a visit to the Republic of Benin Police office, showing his readiness to eradicate hindrances affecting the free movement of goods and services across the border.
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Headlines

Opeifa decries encroachment on NRC properties across the country 

— praises collaboration with Abia, Enugu govts.
Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has reiterated his displeasure over the widespread practice of encroachment on the properties of the Nigerian Railways Corporation across the country, warning that such action would not be tolerated by his administration.
Opeifa was speaking during the separate meetings he recently had with the governments of both Abia and Enugu states.
Represented by the Railway District Manager, Eastern District, Mr. Agwonye Francis Ejike, the NRC boss quickly condemned the occupation of the Corporation’s right- of – way by squatters in Umuahia, while correcting the wrongly- held belief that the Railway is defunct.
Opeifa however applauded the cordial and collaborative relationship between the Corporation and the governments of both Abia and Enugu.
According to him, such productive harmony can only yield even greater positive results for the benefit of the people.
During the Umuahia meeting, Dr. Opeifa strongly praised the Abia State Government for its crucial assistance in clearing the NRC’s right-of-way within Umuahia.
 He reiterated unequivocally that no one is permitted to build any structure on railway property without obtaining express approval from his office.
Appealing directly to the public, he urged for greater patience, stressing that the plans for the critical track extension from Aba, through Umuahia to Enugu and beyond, remain very much on course.
Responding on behalf of the Abia State Government, Mr. Kingsley Agomoh stated that the State Government is actively engaging all stakeholders by providing alternative, seamless locations for those currently conducting business on the railway right-of-way.
 He further revealed that the state government has already finalized plans to plant trees along the route, creating a leisurely and aesthetically conducive environment for relaxation, replacing previous commercial activities.
The high-powered team then embarked on an extensive inspection of the alternative relocation site for displaced persons; the demolition site where iron barrier installation is progressing; the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal; the site for the new Umuahia Railway Station; and the route for the proposed link road passing through the existing railway station.
The meeting also explored the provision of a temporary location for the Railway Police and the PTO, pending the construction of the new Umuahia Station, which is designed to include a police station and other NRC offices.
The same impactful message was delivered to Enugu State, where the Commissioner of Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozoh (representing the State Government), equally assured the NRC MD of the Enugu State Government’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with the Corporation to achieve its aims and objectives.
Describing Dr. Opeifa as a personal friend from their private sector days, Dr. Ozoh lauded him as a leader who “knows perfectly well what he is doing.”
He further assured the NRC that the Enugu State Government will actively assist in demolishing any obstruction on the Corporation’s right-of-way, stressing that the state eagerly awaits the flag-off to recommence construction of the rail line from Aba to Enugu and beyond.
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