Maritime Agencies
CUSTOMS: FOU ‘A’ Secured 8 Convictions In 10 Months , Seized Over N747m Contrabands In April.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Acting Controller, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Deputy Controller Hussein Ejibunu, says publicizing arrests when made has a way of discouraging smugglers and duty evaders from illicit activities even as it encourages law-abiding business people to stay on the path of legitimacy.
Ejubunu stated this in Lagos, Thursday, while giving an update on the Command’s anti-smuggling activities in April 2023.
He observed that it pays for importers, exporters, haulage operators, and their agents to operate within the ambit of the law as doing otherwise places them at risk of losing their investments and facing prosecution as enshrined in the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA).
In April, he pointed out, the Command seized contrabands whose total duty paid value (DPV) stands at N746,157,425. During the period under review too, ten suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.
“This Unit, through the Federal High Court, had secured eight (8) convictions during the last ten (10) months, while 48 different cases are at various stages of prosecution.”
A breakdown of the seizures made stands thus: 8,309 X 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent of 14 trailer loads), 2,428 X 25 liters of premium motor spirit (PMS) and 221 cartons of foreign frozen poultry.
Others are 486 parcels (262kg) of Indian hemp, 4 units of foreign used vehicles,
111 pieces of used tyres, 10 bales of used clothing and 8 sacks of second-hand shoes.
He explained that the Command’s intelligence machinery coupled with sustained round-the-clock patrols really paid off within the period as the smugglers’ strategy to take advantage of the recent public holidays to carry out their nefarious activities became punctured.
“The smugglers planned to take us unawares during the religious festivities. Our round-the-clock patrols were sustained and backed with intelligence even during the public holidays. Interestingly, the outcome of our unrelenting onslaught against smuggling is the remarkable drop evident in the number of seizures recorded with zero casualties.”
The Acting Controller announced that the Command’s continuous quest to prevent revenue loss through various infractions such as under-valuation, under-payments, and wrong classification led to the collection of the sum of N66,726,153.35 after issuing demand notices (DN) to defaulters.
He reminded the business community that smuggling is not a business, but a crime. He reaffirmed that the Customs has resolved to protect the Nigerian economy.
This resolve will continue to be passionately pursued even as the fight against economic saboteurs must remain at the front burner.
“The perpetrators of these criminal activities are not unaware of what the law says because we have taken enlightenment to them through different ways, including enlisting assistance of traditional rulers,
community leaders and the media. Thus, anyone that puts in his savings or obtains a loan to invest in any illegitimate business will have to contend with the attendant consequences of such choices, when the law will take its natural course.”
No matter the mouth-watering returns people expect to make from smuggling, he explained, they should have it at the back of their minds that they stand the risk of losing their investment, prosecuted and jailed.
Ejibunu acknowledged that the successes recorded by the FOU Zone ‘A’ in the suppression of economic criminality would not have been possible without the deployment of logistics support provided by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali, (Rtd) CFR, and his management team.
Maritime Agencies
NIMASA MODULAR FLOATING DOCK: Concerns About Delayed Deployment And Transparency.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Contrary to expectations, NIMASA’s N50billion modular floating dock has remained a subject of controversy since 2018 when the apex maritime administration and safety regulator acquired it.
Initially moored at the Marina Waterfront, concerns have continued to mount about the whereabouts and management of the facility. NIMASA appears not to be doing enough to convincingly respond to pressing questions stakeholders have been asking about its fate.
Despite promises of relocation and utilization, the floating dock remains elusive, thus fueling concerns about lack of due process, transparency and accountability within the agency.
Last February, NIMASA announced plans to move the dock to Continental Shipyard in Apapa. Four months down the line, the deployment has yet to occur and no concrete reasons have been given to explain this.
This delay has fueled skepticism especially among industry watchers, who have continued to question NIMASA’s commitment to managing the multimillion-dollar asset effectively.
When the floating dock was acquired in 2018, ship owners who hitherto went to neighbouring maritime nations to dry-dock vessels heaved a sigh of relief. It was celebrations galore as they were made to believe that the new facility represented a significant step in the country’s efforts towards upgrading her critical maritime infrastructure. To them, Nigeria had taken a significant step to enhance her ability to maintain a unique position as a foremost vessel maintenance and repair nation in the West and Central African region.
To the chagrin of stakeholders, however, promises of deployment have been repeatedly made and flouted. And explanations as to why this is so remains scanty, resulting to accusations of neglect, underutilization and mismanagement.
Criticisms have been directed at NIMASA’s leadership, particularly under the immediate-past Director-General, Dr Bashir Jamoh, for perceived lapses in strategic planning and execution.
Standing out in these criticisms is Otunba Sola Adewumi, President, Nigerian Ship Owners’ Association (NISA) who has sued for accountability and transparency within NIMASA.
Dr. Chris Ebare, Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) is not left out in this as he has emphasized the need to involve specialists and experts in managing critical industry facilities such as the Modular Floating Dock.
He suggested a re-evaluation of NIMASA’s approach towards the use and deployment of the facility, advocating that only dedicated technocrats and professionals be given a free hand to manage the asset independent of any form of interference from the agency’s leadership.
Engr Matthew Alalade, former National President, Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers & Water Transport Senior Staff Association, has equally voiced concerns about NIMASA’s decision-making process especially on the use of the floating dock. He urges greater consultation with stakeholders especially professionals in the field. NIMASA, he suggests, should consider concessioning the dock to established shipyards to ensure proper management.
Amidst these concerns, a staff of NIMASA who pleaded anonymity offered a critical perspective on the situation.
“The challenges we face with the floating dock”, he opined, ” can largely be attributed to the previous leadership’s reluctance to heed expert advice, which unfortunately has resulted in the asset becoming nearly outdated before being fully operational.”
He further stated that the new Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, is aware of the issues and is committed to resolving them.
“Dr. Mobereola has been thoroughly briefed about the current status and complexities surrounding the floating dock.
He will be actively engaging with technical experts and stakeholders to expedite its deployment and ensure it operates at full capacity as swiftly as possible,” he stated.
Expectations are high that as an insider had said, the new helmsman will be favourably disposed to make a difference this time by accommodating expert views on the use of the critical facility to enable Nigeria realize the motive for acquiring the facility. But when and how he is going to do this remains embedded in the bowel of time.
Maritime Agencies
Customs Deepens Anti-smuggling Campaign, Seeks Justice For Slain Officer.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says no amount of intimidation or harassment from unscrupulous elements in the society will prevent her from fulfilling her core duties of trade facilitation, revenue generation and suppression of smuggling.
Already, in collaboration with other security agencies, the Service is working tirelessly to apprehend the perpetrators of the dastardly killing of her officer, Customs Assistant II Auwal Haruna at the Gamji Makaho checkpoint in the Dankama area of Katsina State on April 17, 2024, while on official duty.
As contained in a statement by the National Public Relations Officer, CSC Abdullahi Maiwada, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi deeply mourns the incident and has extended his heartfelt condolences to the family and colleagues of the fallen officer.
“The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) stands resolute in its condemnation of such violent acts against its officers and men,” the statement said.
“Violence against our officers,” the statement quoted the CGC as saying, ” is utterly unacceptable, and we will pursue every avenue to bring those responsible to justice.”
“The safety of our personnel and the security of our borders remain paramount. We are committed to working with traditional rulers, government bodies, and sister agencies to combat this heinous crime against our personnel.”
“Intelligence available to us indicates that certain unpatriotic community members are harbouring suspected accomplices involved in this heinous crime.
“We implore these individuals to embrace patriotism by aligning with the law and refraining from condoning illegality.”
The CGC counselled that it is in the best interest of various communities and the nation to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to root out criminal elements and ensure that justice prevails.
“The NCS urges the public to join hands in the fight against these brazen criminals. We implore the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities of these daredevil smugglers to the nearest customs formation.
“Together, we can create a safer environment for our officers and a more secure nation for all.”
The CGC reaffirmed that under his leadership, the Service remains steadfast in her commitment to combating smuggling and other cross-border crimes. The Service, he restated, will not falter in its mission to uphold the law and protect the interests of the Nigerian people.
Maritime Agencies
RICE SALE STAMPEDE: Customs Visits Victim’s Family, Rolls Out Support.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
In response to a directive from Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service, the Zonal Coordinator, Zone “A,” Assistant Comptroller-General Hammi Swomen, Friday, led a delegation on a condolence visit to the Jibowu, Lagos, family home of Susan Odulaja, one of the victims of the February 24 tragic stampede during the sale of 25kg bags of rice at Yaba, Lagos.
During the visit, the Zonal Coordinator expressed the NCS’s deepest condolences to the family as he recalled the unfortunate incident that led to the loss of four precious lives during the disposal of 25kg bags of rice at a reduced price of N10,000.
“We are here to support this family and demonstrate our commitment to their well-being,” he stated.
He explained that the visit was the second time the Service was reaching out to the family as a demonstration of her commitment to showing compassion and empathy to those affected by the tragedy.
“We are here on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs to support this family. This is our second visit, but it is to demonstrate our continued support to the family.” he explained.
Commiserating with the widower, Michael Odulaja, ACG Swomen pledged the NCS’ commitment to work with the family and support them continuously.
“The Service is mindful of the effects of this loss, and we have pledged to work with this family and support them continuously.”
“When you are grieving and have people around you, it reduces the trauma.”
He assured that following the visit, the delegation would report to the CGC to enable him consider, in concrete terms, the nature of intervention to embark upon, going forward.
In response, Mr Odulaja appreciated the ACG and his delegation for the visit and support, saying: “I thank God and the Nigeria Customs Service for their support. Any support that they give us, I will ensure that I use it wisely and invest it in the children.”
It is recalled that the Service issued a press statement after the unfortunate incident on the 26 of February 2024, promising to follow up with the families of the stampede victims.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families during this challenging time,” the statement said, “and we assure them of our unwavering support.”
“We are working with the hospital officials to establish contact and engage directly with the victims’ families on the next step.”
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