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Temisan Omatseye, former NIMASA DG, rules out disbursement of CVFF under Mobereola

Temisan Omatseye
— says NIMASA has lost focus of its original mandate
Funso Olojo 
The former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Temisan Omatseye, had pointedly told the incumbent DG of the agency, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, that he would not be able to disburse the controversial Cabotage Vessels and Financing Funds (CVFF) during his tenure, no matter how hard he tries.
Omatseye, who was one of the former NIMASA DGs who attended the stakeholders’ interaction session with the new DG at the Eko Hotels on Thursday, May 9th, 2024, got the packed full hall bewildered when he faced Dr. Dayo Mobereola and declared” Let me be frank with you, you will not be able to disburse CVFF”.
Keeping a straight face and not minding the wave of hushed disapproval and surprise from the audience which comprised indigenous ship owners and other stakeholders, Omatseye said his pessimism was based on the conflicting position of the CVFF guidelines and the regulations of the  Banks and Other Financial Institution Act(BOFIA)
” I have my reason.
” By virtue of the CVFF, NIMASA is engaged in risk assessment before the funds are discussed but BOFIA does not allow an outsider to do risk assessment as it relates to funding “Omatseye claimed.
He however said the Mobereola does not need to be held captive by the politics that has stalled the disbursement of the controversial CVFF since 2006 as he has an escape route in the guidelines of CVFF disbursement.
” You can go outside the box.
‘The beauty of it is that the CVFF has to be disbursed according to the guidelines made by the National Assembly and approved by the minister.
“So you don’t have to be held captive,” Omatseye said.
It could be recalled that the disbursement of the CVFF has been stalled since its inception in 2006 due to the intricate politics and intrigues of some powerful forces.
Despite the efforts of the successive NIMASA DG, especially the immediate past helmsman in the agency, Dr Bashir Jamoh, who displayed undisguised passion for the matter, the funds are yet to be disbursed.
Not even with the ministerial powers wielded by the former ministers, Rotimi Amaechi who was frustrated in his attempt and had to hand off as well as Alhaji  Muazu Jaji Sambo, who staked his reputation, the CVFF has since then become a jinx which nobody has been able to break.
However, the former Barrister Omatseye, who was at the helm of affairs of the regulatory agency from July 2009 to December,2010 before he was unceremoniously removed, had earlier lamented that the agency has over the years lost its core objectives as maritime administration.
Omatseye, who came to the event with two other former DGs of the agency such as Dr. Ade Dosunmu and Ferndinad Agu, declared that the main core function of NIMASA is not about regulation but promotion and development of the capacity of indigenous ship owners to compete in international trade.
According to him, Section One of the NIMASA Act encapsulates the core function of the agency which is to develop the indigenous ship owners’ capacity.
” The regulatory aspect is secondary.The The main objective is to develop the capacity of the indigenous ship owners.
” The main objectives of NIMASA could be captured in what I call 3 Ps: to promote, protect and provide the enabling environment for indigenous ship owners which is the most important objective of all maritime administration worldwide.
” To achieve this, NIMASA must return to her core function”
Omatseye also noted that the agency does not have a maritime and policy strategy approved by the National Assembly to drive its operations.
” We must first ensure that the National policy and strategy on maritime is approved.
” Secondly, we must have Nigeria’s policy and strategy on maritime that is well outlined on what must be achieved and then set a timeline on when to achieve them.
“Also,  NIMASA must be professionalised by reviewing the agency’s organogram and everybody in NIMASA must have a job description while all NIMASA staff should have a career path”
While advocating for salary review for NIMASA staff to engender motivation, Omatseye also called for process audit and full automation of the agency and devolution of operational powers to the agency’s Zonal offices.
” The operations of the agency should be decentralized and taken to the zones of the agency in the East and West and Abuja.
”Stakeholders, including ship owners, need not be converging on the offices of the agency before they can register their vessels. They should be able to register their vessels in the comfort of their offices,” Omatseye said.
He further advised the agency to streamline the issuance of Certificate of Competency (CoC) to eliminate forgery and quackery in the seafaring profession in the country.
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Headlines

NIWA partners ICPC to strengthen internal transparency in its operations  

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced new strategies aimed at improving its operational system and enhancing collaboration with key stakeholders as part of efforts to boost efficiency and accountability.
Speaking at a post event Press Conference at NIWA Headquarters Lokoja, the Acting Managing Director, Umar Yusuf Girei, while answering questions from journalists stated that, the organization convened a two -day Executive and Anti-Corruption training with the theme “Strengthening Integrity and Revenue System in Inland Waterways Management” organized for Board Members, Management and Area Managers and also 2026 NIWA Management Retreat in Abuja.
The Acting MD noted as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,with the support  Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Authority is focused on aligning institutional goals in ensuring better service delivery to Nigerians.
He further said, as part of its anti-corruption drive, the Management held discussions with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to explore measures for strengthening transparency within its operations.
Girei therefore, assured staff that the ongoing reforms under his watch would translate into improved service and better working conditions.
“NIWA remains committed to continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement and the reforms are expected to enhance both internal performance and public confidence”. he stated.
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Headlines

Navy appoints new Maritime Guard Commander for NIMASA 

Gloria Odion,  Maritime Reporter 

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment of Commodore Reginald Odeodi Adoki as the Commander of the Maritime Guard Command at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Commodore Adoki takes over from Commodore H.C Oriekeze who has been redeployed.

Commodore Adoki, a principal Warfare Officer specializing in communication and intelligence,  brings onboard 25 years experience in the Nigerian Navy covering training, staff and operations.

 As a seaman, he has commanded NNS Andoni, NNS Kyanwa and NNS Kada.
It was under his command that NNS Kada under took her maiden voyage, sailing from the country of build (the United Arab Emirates) into Nigeria.
He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 2000 with a BSc in Mathematics.
 He has since earned a Masters in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and an M.Sc in Terrorism, Security and Policing at University of Leicester, England.
He is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Defence and Security Studies at the National Defence Academy (NDA).
He is a highly decorated officer with several medals for distinguished service.

Welcoming the new MGC Commander to the Agency, the Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, expressed confidence in Adoki’s addition to the team, emphasising that it will further strengthen the nation’s maritime security architecture given his vast experience in the industry.

The Maritime Guard Command domiciled in NIMASA was established as part of the resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy to assist NIMASA strengthen operational efficiency in Nigeria’s territorial waters, especially through enforcement of security, safety and other maritime regulations.

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Customs

Customs collects N1.585 trillion from 51 compliant traders under AEO programme 

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 
The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), one of the trade facilitation tools introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2025, has begun to yield bountiful harvests with the revenue growth of ₦362.79 billion recorded in 2025.
According to the AEO scorecard released by the Service, the facilitation tool grossed the sum of N1.585 trillion after certification, an increase revenue from N1.222 trillion before certification.
This represents the growth of N362.79 billion(29.68 per cent) for 51 AEO – certified entities as at October, 2025.
The Programme, according to the NCS,  also contributed 21.77% to its total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid rose by 85.66% due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.
According to AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report, the Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.
“The evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
“In the area of trade facilitation, AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60% time saving.
“Company operating costs declined by 57.2 per cent while demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention.
” Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per  through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management” the Customs declared in the AEO scorecard.
However, the Service singled out with Eight companies for commendation due to their integrity and compliance under the programme.
The companies include Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd, CORMART Nigeria Ltd, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.
The Service lauded them for a cumulative voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure.
“These actions reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.
Nevertheless, the Service suspended a firm under the programme for its non- compliance and display of lack of integrity.
The suspended firm engaged in false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations.
“Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in accordance with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The NCS reiterated that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance.
“While compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established.
“The Service remains resolute in safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework” the NCS concluded in the report.
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