All Posts in "Maritime"

NPA Goes Tough On Illegal Jetties Operators

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The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)has clamped down on unsea-worthy barges while three illegal jetties have been sealed
The NPA explained that the decision followed the establishment of an inter-agency committee comprising of representatives of the NPA, Nigerian Maritime Administration Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Lagos State Inland Waterways Authority (LASWA).
It said the committee is spearheading the “clearing of the waterways of lay-by barges and tugboats along Ibeji/Ilashe axis and as far as the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal and Mile Two Bridge, as well as the removal of wrongly anchored barges that are obstructing visibility along the Kirikiri channel”.
Soliciting for the cooperation of stakeholders to ensure  barge operations are executed according to laid down regulations, the committee expressed its commitment to sustaining the current tempo of enforcement until operators totally comply with all laid down regulations.
“To this end, regular patrol of waterways will be carried out and sustained,” the statement added.
Online Editor by — March 23, 2021 in Maritime 0
FG Brings Back  Cargo Tracking Note 

Insecurity: FG refloats Cargo Tracking Note to curb proliferation of
The Federal Government has reintroduced Cargo Tracking Notes in the nation’s ports.
The Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) or the ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note), is a system for collecting documents and processing information, when exporting by sea in order to obtain prior information, to participate in security measures, statistics, and generally in order to participate in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Customs Organization (WCO) recommendations on trade facilitation and security.
President Mohammadu Buhari has since directed the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi to reintroduce Cargo Tracking Notes (CTN) in order to curb the proliferation of arms and increase in banditry across the nation.
Amaechi has further directed the Nigerian Shippers’ Council(NSC) to commence preparation to undertake the responsibility of administering CTN as it  commences.
The Executive Secretary, NSC, Mr. Hassan Bello, whose Council is to handle CTN describes it as “another instrument that will add tremendously in shipping development”.
He added:“It will boost the revenue of the government in customs revenue collection in the sense that it will abate under – declaration and concealment. It will boost the revenue of NPA because there will be no more alteration of the manifests. It will boost the revenue of NIMASA because under – declaration on the weight of ships will not be there any longer.
CTN is also a veritable source of data and some economic experts describe this as the best quality of the electronic based platform.
“You will know everything that is coming into your country. We have had many African countries having this because it is the initiation of the Union of African Shippers Council (UASC),” the NSC boss said about CTN last year”
Online Editor by — March 22, 2021 in Maritime 0
Lagos Chamber Canvasses Dispute Resolution Framework For Customs, Business Community

Lagos Chamber of Commerce postpones automobile webinar - ..:: AUTO REPORT AFRICA ::..
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry(LCCI) has expressed  the need  for the Federal Government to create an independent dispute resolution culture between the Nigeria Customs Service and the business community in the country.
It  advised that the initiative should  done within the framework of executive order.
Muda Yussuf,Director-General of LCCI,said the  development was  necessary to restore the confidence of investors in the international trade process.
He said:’’The reality is that the Nigeria Customs Service has a weak Trade Facilitation culture and an absence of customer service orientation. This disposition is hurting investment, frustrating trade, and creating a negative investor sentiment.
‘’Managing disputes with the Nigeria Customs Service on matters of product valuation and harmonized system of product classification is one of the most distressing encounters experienced by investors in the Nigerian economy.
‘’A major shortcoming in our international trade process is the absence of an independent, credible, and prompt appeal mechanism.  It is a situation that is hurting investment and weakening investors’ confidence.  Importers are left entirely at the mercy of the customs in the absence of a credible, independent window for dispute settlement between the customs and the private sector. Under the present arrangement, the Customs Service is the accuser and the judge.
‘’This mechanism is unfair to investors and not consistent with the principles of natural justice.  Many companies have been compelled to pay outrageous additional charges on imports thus distorting their investment plans and projections’’.
 He explained that a presidential   intervention has become inevitable, especially with the onset of the African Continental Free Trade Area [AfCFTA],adding that there is a need to ensure a balance between regulatory controls, revenue generation and trade facilitation functions of the Nigerian customs service.
Online Editor by — March 15, 2021 in Maritime 0
Truck  Owners Express  Support For NPA’s E-Call Up System

NPA Generates N1.02tn Revenue in Three YearsTHISDAYLIVETruck owners have vowed to support the electronic call-up system recently introduced by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Remi Ogungbemi, national president of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), said  that the electronic method of admitting trucks to the ports is the best way to go.

“E-call up system of admitting trucks into the terminal is the best way to go. It is what I had been clamouring for, ” he said.

We so much applaud this new system by NPA, and we are giving everything, except our lives, to support the system to work.The call-up system is one that will not have human interference. This is because favouritism, extortion, corruption and bribery will continue to exist if we allow human interference.”

Speaking, Abdullahi Mohammed-Inunwa, Lagos state vice chairman, dry cargo sector of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), urged the NPA to integrate satellite truck parks in its operations to increase efficiency.

 

According to him, members of the association used satellite parks to harbour their trucks before securing approval to access Lilypond and Tincan truck parks.

He expressed optimism  that the electronic call-up system would tackle challenges encountered in the ports.

“We believe that, if well managed and sustained, it will eradicate all the bottlenecks along the port corridors, improve on the ease of doing business and restore our ports’ lost glory,” he said.

The NPA commenced the electronic call-up system to control the movement of trucks in and out of Lagos seaports on February 27.

The new system is based on a first-come-first-served basis.

Online Editor by — March 3, 2021 in Maritime 0