Author: Saint Augustine

The war against smugglers of frozen poultry products into the Country tagged “Operation Hawk Descend”, has continue to yield massive results as the Service has recorded seizures of the banned products worth N37,836,000.00 (Thirty Seven Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Six Thousand naira), in the eighth (8) and Ninth (9) week of its operations. According to a report obtained from the Nigeria Customs Service’s Website, the seizures which consist of 8,408 (Eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Eight) cartons of the frozen products were impounded at different locations along the south western borders of Nigeria. These include Badagry/Yekeme and Seme Ashipa…

By Eugene Nweke The Board and Management of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has noted the miscomprehension from some interest groups in the Nigeria Maritime economy about the re-introduction of an International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) for all imports into Nigeria. Recall that, the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria, had at its session on December 9th, 2009 given due approval to this effect, but was later cancelled to enable a review. In 2012 it was the last administration granted another approval with emphasis on cost. The argument propounded by the protagonists is that the International Cargo…

As the truckers operating in the Nigerian maritime industry called of their over two weeks withdrawal of service following the restriction of their movement to between the hours of 6.am and 9.pm within Lagos state by the Lagos State Government, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has appealed on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to reduce its berthing fees and royalties payable to it by the terminal operators within the period of the withdrawal of service. In a statement issued on Saturday by the National Publicity Secretary of ANLCA, Dr. Kayode Farinto, the association explained that the appeal…

Amade Abdul is the new Customs Area Controller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) with its headquarters in Lagos. A fortnight ago, he held a maiden press briefing in Lagos where he entertained questions from Journalists on the mandate of the Unit under a new Comptroller-General, the fracas between Customs and other Security agencies at Gbaji among others. Our correspondent wad at the briefing and filed in this report. Excerpts; How do you cope with the new dispensation? Like I said in my opening speech, Customs is an organized and having trained…

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr. Hassan Bello has said that contrary to insinuations in some quarters, the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) soon to be introduced by the Council would address a lot of issues militating against trade in the Nigerian Maritime industry. Bello who was speaking at an event in Lagos recently listed those issues to be addressed by the CTN to include revenue loss to the government, insecurity of the nation, non-competitiveness of the nation’s ports and arbitrary charges even as he listed the gains inherent in the Note to…

The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has seized 843 bags of rice concealed in different means of conveyance ranging from petrol tanker to motor vehicles. The seized rice with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N5, 880,000.00 according to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr.Taupyen Selechang was made possible through intelligent sharing of information among the seasoned officers of the Command. Selechang who spoke in a press release he sent to Primetime Reporters Friday said that the recent seizure which was coordinated between Owode and Gbaji officers did not come as a surprise as the Command’s anti-smuggling…

…Sources about 10,000 tons of soybeans locally Nestlé, the leading Nutrition, Health and Wellness Company has reaffirmed its commitment to help reduce under nutrition in Nigeria through micronutrient fortification. Speaking with journalists during a tour of Agbara factory recently, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Nestlé Nigeria, Chief Dharnesh Gordhon said in 2012, Nestlé introduced a new range of fortified bouillon cubes by adding iron to the already iodine- fortified Maggi brand seasonings. He said in 2014, Nestlé reached 18.3 million households in Nigeria with iron-fortified Maggi cubes Chief Gordhon said that Nestlé has a huge stake in rural…

The Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM) has made a strong case for relevant authorities to expedite actions for the deep sea ports in the South West to commence full operations as part of effort to ease movement of containers from the two ports in Lagos. NAMM has also advised the Federal Government to encourage the use of alternative means of transportation to lighten the present pressure on the ports and Lagos roads. The Master Mariners suggested to the government that the rail lines and inland waterways were better alternative to move containers from the seaports to inland container depots. President…

The Anambra State Government has reiterated that the current administration is poised to partner with foreign investors in areas that would be mutually beneficial to the partners and the state. Governor Willie Obiano made this known while receiving the Ambassador of Kingdom of Thailand His Excellency, Mr. Chailert Limsomboon at the Government House Awka yesterday. Governor Obiano who was represented by the Chief of Staff of Anambra State Prof. Joe Asike described the visit as the beginning of greater business relationships and partnerships. He recalled that the visit was one of the proceeds of the Thai-Anambra State Business Summit which…

The Shippers’ Association of Lagos State (SALS) has called on the National Assembly to immediately commence the process of amending the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act otherwise known as the Cabotage Act 2003 so as to meet with the realities of the present time. The President of the association, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Nicol who made this call while delivering a paper at a Maritime Forum organized by the Law Students of the University of Lagos with the theme,” Ship Owning in Nigeria and Corporate Governance in Shipping”, held on Tuesday in Lagos, recalled that an essential part of the Cabotage…