Author: Saint Augustine

By Joe Sanni The idea of a permanent National Secretariat was first muted two years into the first tenure of Prince Olayiwola Shittu – led NECOM, when the issue of the two plots of land in the Abule Ado area of Amuwo Odofin – Lagos – was being discussed – and moreso, because of the actualization and fulfillment of all his campaign promises as at then. The land was acquired during the period of interregnum in the association, when the Board of Trustees, chaired by Chief Henry Njoku, administered the association, because of the absence of a National Executive Committee.…

Contrary to the claims by the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Alhaji Dr. Dikko Inde Abdullahi that the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) when fully operational would become a final document for clearance of goods at the ports, the Service (NCS) has said that PAAR could best seen as advisory document at the moment. The National Public Relations Officer of NCS, Mr. Wale Adeniyi who disclosed this in an interview monitored by Primetime Reporters identified dishonest attitude of importers who under-declare their imports in a bid to short change the government and the lack of technical know- how…

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr. Hassan Bello has blamed the problems bedeviling the nation’s seaport on inadequate training for the freight forwarders who he said played an important role in the international trade. Bello who was speaking in his in Lagos office recently when the officials of the Nigerian Institute of Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers (NIFFCB) paid him a courtesy stated that a good chunk of the problems at the nation’s seaports would be solved if freight forwarders were well trained and conduct themselves professionally. He stated that because of the important role freight…

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi has said that a stable democracy, which is only possible with credible elections, required an equally strong economy to enable the citizens fulfill their individual and collective aspirations. Akpobolokemi who stated this in his goodwill message to the 10th All Nigerian Editors Conference, which ended in Katsina state at the weekend, expressed optimism that the Nigerian economy was growing in leaps and bounds as demonstrated by increasing volume of trade and foreign direct investment adding that it would experience further growth given the consciousness…

While the commuters using the Oshodi/Apapa expressway, especially as it affects the Mile 2 end to the Apapa port may have had some sought of relief as the traffic situation on the road seemed to have improved in the recent time, one will be forced to ask if the situation will continue to be like this or will it later deteriorate to what it used to be about three months ago. For about one month now, movement from Mile 2 to Apapa had improved as one can now access the Apapa port from Mile 2 within a record time as…

The Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (MENA) Division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has expressed its sadness over the lack of interests in its activities shown by the government agencies operating in the maritime sector. The Chairman of the MENA Division, Engr. Navy Capt. Dominic Onabanjo who made this known in a welcome address he delivered to mark the 2014 Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Division in Lagos recently regretted that the Division as important as it was to the Maritime industry was yet to enjoy the required support from the various government agencies in the…

Following recent calls from the major stakeholders in the maritime industry for the harmonization of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) Act 2007 and the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) for a more virile freight forwarding profession, the Shippers’ Association of Lagos State (SAL) has described the call as a welcomed development. Speaking in a chat with Primetime Reporters in Lagos last weekend, the President of SAL, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Nicol observed that the seeming segregation that had existed between the freight forwarders and the customs licensed agents should not be encouraged since…

…wants customs to account for 7% duty it collects Against the backdrop of calls in some quarters, that the Nigeria Customs Service should be given more funds to enable it meet up with its additional responsibilities, the Shippers Association of Lagos State has opposed the calls describing it as unreasonable. The President of the association, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Nicol made this position known in an interview with Primetime Reporters in Lagos last week. It will be recalled that the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) had in a Press release it issued recently called for an additional incentive…

The 43rd International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) conference has ended in Sofia, Bulgaria with a call on government of various countries of the world to ensure that the rights of workers the world over are respected so as to promote a healthy and good living among workers. The Conference which holds once in every four years saw transport workers from across the globe converge on Sofia, Bulgaria between the 10th and 16th of August, 2014 to brainstorm on the challenges and successes recorded in the transport profession in the last four years as well as chart a way forward for…

The Chief Executive Officer of Bomarah Group and the Chairperson, Bomarah Foundation, Hajia Bola Muse has said that an investment in the youth of Nigeria was an investment in the future of the country. Hajia Muse who made this remark in Lagos to mark the closing ceremony of the 1st edition of U-14 Bomarah Foundation Cup 2014, sponsored by her foundation promised to sustain the competition as a way of giving back to the society from where she benefited immensely. While reeling out various competitions and achievements recorded by the Foundation especially in the areas of sports and educational sponsorships…