Author: Saint Augustine

In his renewed efforts towards enhancing the  operational efficiencies in the Nigerian seaports, President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday disclosed that his administration has seen development of Deep sea ports as a long term solution to the problems of congestion in ports. The President who was speaking  at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) tagged,” NIMAREX 2014, Invest now”, stated that part of the long term solution to congestion is the development of the Lekki Deep Sea Ports which according to him, had been  at the forefront of his administration. “For the enhancement of operational efficiencies at…

 President Goodluck Jonathan, Monday declared open the 2014 edition of the Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) at the new Expo Centre of the Eko Hotel and suites, Lagos with a commendation for the organizers of the event for their wisdom in choosing the theme to aptly reflect the mood of the nation. The event which had in attendance the who is who of the Maritime industry was chaired by a former Military President of Nigeria, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida. The two leaders who were both represented at the event however showered praise on the organizers of the event. While President Jonathan was…

Tony Anakebe is a foremost Freight Agent in the Nigerian Maritime Sector. In this interview with our correspondent, he bared his mind on the burning issues in the Maritime sector in Nigeria ranging from the freight forwarding associations, the Nigeria Customs Service, Maritime Advocacy and Action Group, CEFFN and a host of other issues. Excerpts; Your Perception of the various Freight Forwarding Associations. ANLCA (Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents) was formed in 1954 and they were formed to take care of the Freight Forwarding business entirely but along the line, some people felt that the power ANLCA is welding…

The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mallam Habib Abdullahi has said that the Authority is fully committed to the improvement of the health care of its entire workforce. Mallam Abdullahi made this assertion on Monday while flagging off the awareness programme against cervical cancer, targeted at screening, vaccination and treatment for female employees of the Authority. Represented at the flag off event which took place at the Corporate Headquarters, Marina, Lagos by the General Manager, Administration, Chief Michael Ajayi, the Managing Director commended the Medical department for its commitment towards embarking on awareness campaigns on various health issues…

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has pledged that it would continue to support the activities of the four pilotage districts within the authority to ensure their maximum performance. The NPA Managing Director, Malam Habib Abdullahi who gave this assurance in Lagos reiterated that the Authority would also provide all the operational requirements of the pilotage districts within budgetary provisions. Malam Habib who was speaking in his office at the beginning of a meeting with the leadership of the four pilotage districts commended the contributions of the members, consisting of mainly the finest nation’s master mariners, for their contributions to ensure…

On the wake of taking over of the Destination Inspection Scheme from the erstwhile Service Providers by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on December 1, 2013, the service discovered to its chagrin that the ousted service providers handed over to its custody over 99,000 (ninety-nine thousand) unprocessed Risk Assessment Report (RAR). Aware that there was no how the service was going to handle the unattended jobs left behind by the service providers since the takeover of the scheme came with it a new platform known as the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), it had to get another option aimed at offsetting…

There are indications Thursday night that the Federal Government may have rescinded its earlier decision to enforce its new tariff on used vehicles following a widespread protest that greeted the new policy on the wake of its enforcement by the Nigeria Customs Service. The Nigeria Customs Service on Wednesday commenced the enforcement of the the new automotive policy that imposed a 35 percent duty and another 35 percent levy on used cars with a life span of ten years and a 35 percent duty and zero percent levy for commercial vehicles with a lifespan of fifteen years, an action which…

In its renewed effort to up the ante in anti-smuggling activities and to maintain its role as a flagship command, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A Ikeja has embarked on aggressive patrol activities along the borders and seaports. This was intended to compliment the efforts of the other customs commands in terms of ensuring maximal revenue generation. This was made known by the Controller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A Ikeja, Comptroller Isa Nuhu in a release  on its activities in the last one year and the Unit’s activities so far in the current year which was obtained by Primetime…

Few days away from the commencement of the 2014 National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) elections, the NAGAFF Electoral Commission (NECOM) has said that all was set for a free and transparent election that would in turn engender a seamless transition. Speaking to newsmen on the preparedness of the Commission to conduct the election which is scheduled to commence on Monday, 10th March, 2014 with Apapa Chapter, the Chairman of NECOM, Mr. Okey Nereus maintained that the commission was set to give the association the best election that will soon become a reference point for other freight forwarding…

The National Coordinator of the Maritime Advocacy and Action Group (MAAG), Alhassan Dantata has said that the group was out to ensure fairness and equity for all stakeholders in the Logistics and Supply chain Industry. Dantata made this known while playing host to a delegation of the Save Nigeria Freight   Forwarding Importers and Exporters Coalition (SNFFIEC) at the MAAG Secretariat. The MAAG National Coordinator said that he era where hardworking operators in the industry go home hungry was over and that the group would do everything within the law to protect the interest of members, and  give them a sense…