Maritime Agencies
CHANGE OF GUARDS @ FOU C, OWERRI: Kolade Hands Over To Ugbagu, Renders Q1 Account.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Between January 25, 2023 and April 19, 2024, the Federal Operations Unit Zone C of the NIgeria Customs Service, Owerri, seized contrabands worth N7,577,259,390.00.
Outgoing Comptroller Kayode Kolade disclosed this while handing over to his successor, Comptroller Michael Ugbagu.
The Controller who lauded the Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and his management team for the trust and confidence reposed in him also endorsed the decision of management to bring Ugbagu, a thorough enforcement guru as replacement.
He thanked officers of the unit for their unparalleled support, commitment, dedication, hardwork and prayers, adding that their support was the reason for his successes.
“ With all your support and cooperation, the Unit within my tenure was able to make substantial and spectacular seizures totaling 198 with a duty paid value of N7,577,259,390.00.”
Goods involved include five sacks of pangolin scales weighing 413.1kg and worth N523,356,390 and 1,813 bags of 50kg each of foreign parboiled rice worth N105, 105,000.00. Others are 815 sacks of Cannabis Sativa weighing 17,950kg and 2,935 parcels (1kg each) weighing 2,935kg (totalling 20,885kg) worth N1,670,800,000.00.
Other seizures and their breakdown are as shown :
1. DSP/CMC COUGH SYRUP WITH CODEINE 31 CTNS CONTAINING 3,600 BOTTLES N21,600,000.00
2. .VEHICLES 52 UNITS INCLUDING 3 ARMORED VEHICLES N4,275,000,000.00
3. .EXPLOSIVE DEVICES: 9 SACKS 50KG OF EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS/SUPER POWER90 SUBTANCE/CABLES N12,990,000.00 +SECURITY IMPLICATION
4. .USED CLOTHINGS/SHOES: 1,807 JUMBO BALES 48 SACKS OF USED SHOES
N451,750,000.00 N4,800,000.00
5. .UNREGISTERED/EXPIRED MEDICAMENTS: 955 CARTONS of EXPIRED/VARIOUS BRAND INCLUDING TRAMADOL N238,750,000.00
6. .USED PNEUMATIC TYRES: 6,457 PIECES N96,855,000.00
7. .FOREIGN spaghetti: 1364 CTNS N7,280,000.00
8. .FOREIGN TOMATOES PASTE: 4,693 CARTONS N234,650,000.00
9. .VEGETABLE OIL: 80 JERRYCANS OF 25KG 600,000.00
10.. FOREIGN SOAP: 1,329 CARTONS OF EVA SOAP 33,255,000
11. PETROLEUM PRODUCT
32 JERRYCANS OF 25LITRES EACH OF PMS N468,000,00
He added that although FOUC is not a revenue-generating unit, under his watch and based on interventions to thwart the activities of fraudulent agents at seaports, lots of lost revenue were recovered to the tune of N155,819,714.00.
Part of Comptroller Kayode’s strides was the reconstruction and equipment of a clinic at the Unit’s office in Owerri to cater for the health needs of officers and men, as well as civilians under qualified medical personnel.
To ensure a healthy work-life balance, the outgoing Controller carved out a very spacious office for sports activities with fully installed gym equipment where officers and men can exercise.
He implored everyone to extend same support and cooperation to his successor, Comptroller Micheal Ugbagu as he pilots the affairs of the unit and wished him well.
“ I wish you well my brother. You will succeed and your legacies will be felt as well “, he said.
In his response, Comptroller Michael Ugbagu thanked the CGC and his entire management team for bestowing him with the mandate to oversee the affairs of FOUC.
He thanked Comptroller Kolade for his “highly commendable “ achievements while he held sway and pledged continued compliance with established guidelines.
“ We will ensure compliance with the current import and export guidelines using intelligence and technology to drive our operations.
“ There will be a watertight security against smuggling activities across the zone. Smugglers will be discouraged, frustrated and made uncomfortable, thereby making smuggling, duty evasion and warehousing of smuggled goods unattractive within the zone “, he said.
He called for support and cooperation from the media and the general public to enable him carry out his new assignment.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Maritime Seminar for Judges annually hosted by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has been described as a conduit for financial and human waste and must be discontinued and scarce resources directed to profitable endeavours with direct bearing on the agency’s statutory mandate.
National Coordinator of Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers and Exporters Coalition (SNFFIEC), Chief Patrick Osita Chukwu stated this in Lagos, Tuesday. He called on the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Barr. Pius Akutah to suspend what he referred to as a jamboree and, instead, free the funds involved to train freight forwarders and other operators for enhanced operations in the shipping industry.
He said that appropriating huge funds to judicial seminars while neglecting her core mandate as the nation’s port economic regulator is improper on the part of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
Organizing judicial seminars, he declared, falls under the purview of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), not the NSC. Chukwu warned that if the council goes ahead to plan for the Judge’s Seminar, going forward, SNFFIEC would seek legal interpretation as well as embarking on industrial action to insist that the right thing is done.
He said: “Recall plans by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to continue hosting the annual Maritime Seminar for Judges. This is a waste of human and financial resources the agency would have used to take care of shippers and the ports.” Since becoming the economic regulator of the ports, he alleged, there have not been concrete actions by the agency to reposition the ports to make them as business – friendly as other ports across the globe.
”I say it that it is not only an economic waste but negates the principle of getting the right to things done for our ports and shippers. We have been trying our best to see that the trillions they are making in all Nigerian customs ports impact on the shippers. Transaction of business in Nigeria has remained so bad that whatever you’re seeing today is not what supposed to be.”
The SNFFIEC boss said it is a huge challenge to his organization and others that the Council ‘s ES cannot be accessed because he hardly stays around to listen to genuine complaints by stakeholders who matter in the sector.
”We are yet to feel the impact of the NSC’s regulatory role. Each time you visit the NSC, the Executive Secretary is not in the office. He’s always away, spending shippers’ money on training judges,” he said.
”We need the NSC to resist whatever may be the pressure that will undermine the principle of accountability and all other actions that can jeopardize the economy by the way they are going.”
”We have the National Judicial Council which can be very free and pragmatic enough to undertake seminars and training sessions for judges.”
SNFFIEC, he indicated, considers sending a petition to the President, the National Assembly, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, and the Attorney General of the Federation on the need to probe the activities and finances of the Shippers’ Council to ensure the proper things are done and accountability enthroned.
Up to the time of going to press, efforts to obtain reactions from the Shippers’ Council yielded no fruits as calls to the Executive Secretary did not go through.
Maritime Agencies
Industry Gurus Head To Badagry As BACCIMA, Portbizness Discuss Trans-Border International Trade.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BACCIMA), in conjunction with Portbizness News is set to host the second edition of her annual Trans-border International Trade Discourse in Badagry.
According to a statement jointly issued by James Shodiya, the Project Director, and Alhaji Yahaya Oladiran Idris, the President of BACCIMA,
the conference slated for December 12 and 13 takes place by 2pm each day. Venue is Sycomore Hotel & Suites, Ajara, Badagry, Lagos.
It is designed to discuss actionable strategies to strengthen regional cooperation and enhance competitiveness within the framework of the Continental trade agreements such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA).
The organizers note that in an increasingly interconnected global economy, Cross-Border Trade has become a critical vehicle to deliver regional growth, economic integration and sustainable development.
But in Nigeria, trans-border trade continues to grapple with numerous challenges such as tariff and non-tariff barriers, infrastructure gaps, inconsistent government policies and limited access to funds.
”Against this backdrop, Portbizness News is partnering with the foremost Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines & Agriculture ( BACCIMA) to host the 2025 edition of its
PORTS & TRANS-BORDER INT”L TRADE DISCOURSE – a high level Platform that brings together policy makers, trade practitioners, business leaders, researchers and development partners to discuss challenges and opportunities in promoting seamless trade across borders.”
The event’s theme is ‘Bridging Borders, Building National Prosperity and Strengthening Regional Trade’. Day 1 covers Lecture, Discourse and Gala Night, while Day 2 will feature a Delegates’ Excursion to Tourist Destinations.
Chairman of the event is Hon (Dr) Segun Musa, Chairman/Chief Consultant, Global Transport Policy while Dr. Azeez A. Mustapha and Mr Kola Awe, Chairman, NACCIMA Export Group are the keynote speakers .
Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, Executive Chairman, Badagry Local Government is the Special Guest of Honour while Alhaji Olanrewaju Akeem, MD/CEO, Taloid Group of Companies will be Father of the Day.
Mother of the Day will be Comrade Onome Monije, ANLCA PRO, Tincan Chapter.
Maritime Agencies
OGUN 1 CUSTOMS: DC Oladapo Afeni Pledges Stronger Trade Facilitation, Border Security As He Becomes Acting CAC.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
A change of guards took place Thursday at the Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Idiroko, with Comptroller Godwin Otunla, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), handing over to Deputy Controller Oladapo Afeni on acting capacity. The change in leadership is sequel to a directive from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Adewale Adeniyi.
The Command’s image maker, Deputy Superintendent of Customs Chado Zakari, disclosed this in a press statement.
At the handing-over ceremony, the image maker stated, the new Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC) expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs for reposing confidence in him and pledged to advance and deepen ongoing reforms in trade facilitation, revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations.
Describing the Ogun I Command as a strategic gateway to the nation’s economy and a critical line of defence against illicit cross-border activities, DC Afeni stated that he was aware of the unique operational challenges available.
“It is a great honour to assume the leadership of Ogun I. I am fully aware of the vast and sensitive terrain of this Command and its importance to national security”.
He pledged to consolidate on the gains of his predecessors as he strives to deepen continuous improvement in efficiency, enforcement, intelligence-led operations, stakeholder collaboration and community relations.
He further emphasised his commitment to deepening inter-agency cooperation, suppressing smuggling to the barest minimum and prioritising the welfare and professional growth of officers under his watch.
DC Afeni, an accomplished administrator with nearly two decades of service, holds a B.Tech in Industrial Design from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, and a Master’s degree in Diplomacy and Strategic Studies from the University of Lagos. His professional training spans conflict management, international negotiation, strategic leadership and rural border patrol operations. He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and a fellow of the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria (Chartered).
In his valedictory speech earlier, the outgoing Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Godwin Otunla, described his tenure as challenging yet fulfilling. He highlighted strides made under him in curbing smuggling, enhancing trade facilitation and improving personnel welfare. He noted that strengthened inter-agency collaboration under his leadership significantly boosted security within the Command’s area of responsibility.
He expresseed confidence that DC Afeni would consolidate on his achievements and lead the Command to greater heights.
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Maritime Agencies4 days agoIndustry Gurus Head To Badagry As BACCIMA, Portbizness Discuss Trans-Border International Trade.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoMARAN Dissolves Exco, Appoints An Interim Leadership.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoShippers’ Council Boss, Akutah, Advocates Stronger Alternative Disputes Resolution, Bags Special Honours from NBA
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoMMA Customs Command Hits 100.1% of Annual Revenue Target 11 Months Before Year-End.
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Maritime Agencies2 days agoMARITIME SEMINAR FOR JUDGES: Group Urges Probe of Shippers’ Council Funds.
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoOGUN 1 CUSTOMS: DC Oladapo Afeni Pledges Stronger Trade Facilitation, Border Security As He Becomes Acting CAC.