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Proposed Nigeria Coast Guard: The Dangers ahead — Maritime expert.

Funso OLOJO 

An expert in maritime safety, who did not want his name in print, has warned of the dire consequences should the  National Assembly passes the Nigeria Coast guard bill into law.
It could be recalled that the bill, which is currently before the National Assembly,  seeks to establish a military service which is a branch of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, to ensure maritime safety that will domicile under the ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
The expert, who is a Marine Engineer and  a retired civil servant from one of the agencies of government, claimed that the bill, if passed into law, will compound the muted unhealthy rivalry and competition among the agencies of governments such as the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency( NIMASA), Nigeria National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
According to him, the proposed body will rival the Nigerian Navy and may also lead to the deadly clash of these two armed groups on the Nigerian waters.
He also warned that if the proposed Nigerian Coast guard is modelled after the United States Coast Guard (USCG), that may lead to irrelevance  or total annihilation of NIMASA .
” If you model the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard after US Coast Guard, then you have to abolish NIMASA or the body take over NIMASA job completely.
“This is because in the US, the Coast Guard does all the safety administration.
” What the US Coast Guard is doing is what NIMASA does in Nigeria.
” If that is your model, you have failed from the beginning. You are scrapping NIMASA because you are going to duplicate the jobs of NIMASA.
“In America, the USCG is the apex body that is responsible to the IMO which NIMASA is.
“So the moment you bring American model of Coast Guard to Nigeria, NIMASA is gone.
” That means another body will be doing the safety administration job of NIMASA.
“The proponents of this bill have not sat down to look at technicalities and technical implications of the introduction of the new body.
” They are only trying to bring in the box of the Coast guard without the contents, the technicalities involved.
” The experts such as master mariners, maritime engineers, ship owners, marine engineers, industry operators should sit down and look at the implications of the proposed legislation.
” But what we have before the National Assembly is the box, which is the Coast Guard but what is going to be put in the box have never been discussed.
” The substance of the bill has not been discussed.
” To me, that is deception, if we fail to sit down and look at its technicalities.
” If you are looking for the American model of Coast guard, then there would be no NIMASA because there is no Maritime Administration in the US.
” It is the USCG that is maritime administration who does survey, registration of ships, Port state and flag state control.
” If you bring American model of Coast guard, then you does survey, who does ship registration, your port state and flag state inspection.
” Who is responsible to curtail marine pollution on your waters?
” In any maritime nation, the maritime safety is handled by its maritime administration like NIMASA while maritime security is handled by the country’s Navy.
” So what does the proposed Nigerian Coast guard do unless its functions overlap with that of Navy and NIMASA”
The marine engineer warned that if we  bring the Coast Guard which the Navy said it does not want, there would be friction between the two armed groups which may result into conflicts at sea.
He claimed that those retired naval officers who support the bill are those who are eyeing to be recruited into the Coast Guard and want to become Coast Guard General because they are looking for job .
“Those retired Naval officers supporting the bill are looking for job because those who are still in the service will not support the bill”
” Which roles are the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard is going to play that the Nigerian Navy said it’s tired of playing” the maritime expert asked rhetorically.
He believed that if the Nigerian Navy is well funded and equipped with the necessary tools and infrastructure, it will be able to adequately protect Nigerian waters.
” But they deliberately underfunded the Navy, they deliberately ill- equipped the Navy and they are now bringing in another body to split the Navy functions because they are all eyeing NIMASA money” the Marine Engineer alleged.
He claimed that the proposed body is likely to be funded by NIMASA.
” This is the money the proponents of this proposed body is eyeing” he further claimed.
He then wondered what will happen to NIMASA and Navy if this bill is pushed through.
” NIMASA is still facing challenges of overlapping functions from NIWA, Nigerian Shippers’ Council and NPA which are yet to be resolved and you are now bringing in another body which will complicate these problems on the sea”
” All these will cause NIMASA unnecessary distractions from its core functions”
” Is this how we want to get category C seat in the IMO ” the retired civil servant queried.
He said that in countries such as India where they have Navies , maritime administrations and coast guards, their functions are clearly spelt out without overlap.
“But such was not the case in Nigeria”
” We are already in a mess due to the overlapping functions of the agencies under the ministry of Marine and Blue Economy which render them ineffective.
“We have overlap functions between NIMASA and NIWA which have not been addressed and causing tension between the two agencies.
“There is also an issue between NIMASA and Nigerian Shippers’ Council because the Nigerian Shipping and Economic Recovery Agency bill of Shippers’ Council before the National Assembly contains most of the shipping development functions of NIMASA”
” There is also the problem of overlapping functions between NIMASA and NPA.
” If you lack the capacity as a supervising minister to address these challenges among your agencies, why bringing another body to complicate the issues on ground?
” The unhealthy rivalry among the agencies under the ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is so enormous that the ministry should not compound the already bad situation by pushing for a coast guard that will come to mess up the already bad situation ” the Marine Engineer declared.
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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.
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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.
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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”
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