Author: Saint Augustine

…Wants him to be fair in administering the agency A maritime lawyer, Barrister Osuala Emmanuel Nwagbara has lauded the appointment of Barr. Calistus Nwabueze Obi as the new Director-General of the nation’s apex maritime agency, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in an acting capacity. It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari last week Thursday announced the removal of the former Director-General of the agency, Dr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi directing that he hand over to the most senior staff of the agency to act in that capacity pending the appointment of a substantive Director-General thus paving the…

Barrister Calistus Nwabueze Obi has taken over as the Acting Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) following the handing over by Dr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi as directed by the Federal Government. Barrister Obi who until this appointment was the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services in the Agency brings over two decades experience in the public sector, law practice and the maritime industry to this new responsibility. Born on May 1, 1964 Barrister Obi who hails from Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State studied Law at the University of Nigeria Nsukka…

The Governor of Anambra State has charged the Muslim community in the State to be vigilant and report criminal elements who may be planning to foment trouble, and ensure they live in peace with their neighbours. The Governor stated this when a delegation from the Muslim community in the state paid him Sallah homage Saturday at his country home in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area. Governor Obiano told the group whom he feted to Eid-el-Fitr lunch that the current peace and security reigning in Anambra was in the interest of all and should be sustained. He said, “I…

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday terminated the appointment of Mr. Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi as the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, announced the sacking in a statement made available to journalists. Adesina, however, did not give reason for the decision which he said took immediate effect. He said Akpobolokemi would hand over the management of NIMASA and all government property in his possession to the most senior officer in the agency who will remain in charge until a new Director-General is appointed. Meanwhile, it was…

No! Amiwero is the impersonator –Njoku The President, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Mr. Lucky Amiwero has advised the Federal Ministry of Transport against having any business transaction with the Chief Festus Ejiofor’s led faction of the association. Amiwero who gave the advice in a letter he addressed to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation informed that Chief Festus Ejiofor and Mr. Bennett Ndee who were allegedly being used by the Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) to create confusion in the ports…

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has called on the Commissioner of Police, Western Ports Authority Police Command to investigate the Secretary, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Tincan Island Chapter, Evang. Chuks Kanikwu following his call for the sack of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Dikko Inde Abdullahi. Recall that the duo of Kanikwu Davies and Ghanny Adeola who are chapter executives at the Tincan Island and PTML Ports Complexes respectively had last weekend called for Abdullahi’s sack over the creation and operation of multiple Customs task forces at the ports. They also alleged that…

The Concerned Accredited Freight Forwarding Association (CAFFA) has called for the immediate revocation of all licenses issued by the customs to protect government revenue. This was contained in a letter the group addressed to the Comptroller-General of Customs, a copy of which was obtained by Primetime Reporters. CAFFA in the letter disclosed that, “It is a fact at the moment that other than the financial gain into the coffers of the government via licensing fee, the use of Tax Identification Number (TIN) by the importer as the declarant has rendered Customs license moribund and at best invalid”. It further averred…

…Demands licensing of individuals as customs agents As the agitation for the collection of the Practitioners’ Operating Fees recedes, the Concerned Accredited Freight Forwarding Associations (CAFFA) has taken their campaign to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) demanding that the Service redefines its strategies so as to plug areas of revenue leakages. This the group believed could be achieved by the Customs Management going back to the statutory provision in the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA)to licensing individuals who could be easily apprehended and held accountable for any revenue leakages traceable to them. In a letter addressed to the Comptroller-General…

The National President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu has debunked the misrepresentation by two of his executives at various chapters and a member respectively. Shittu who spoke through a press release issued by the National Publicity Secretary of ANLCA, Dr. Kayode Farinto said “We are a responsible association that believe in progress of Nigeria, efforts of Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS),  Alhaji Dikko Inde Abdulahi especially  in the area of transformation, upgrading facilities, improved staff welfare and above collection of  huge revenue into the federal government’s account. ANLCA will continue to maintain…

There was apprehension at the Western ports last week as a team of customs officers from the customs headquarters arrived Lagos ports as well as the Tincan Island ports, all in Lagos to take over examination of cargoes at the ports. On arrival, the Licensed Customs agents as well as the freight forwarders became restive for so many reasons one of which was the believe that the arrival and takeover of examination of cargoes by the said officers was a clear case of a vote of no confidence by the customs headquarters on the officers resident at the ports. Speaking…