Author: Saint Augustine

Customs clearing agents in Apapa, Tin Can and PTML commands ON Monday staged a peaceful protest against what they called the hasty implementation of the Federal Government’s policy on used vehicles, which basically states that 35 percent flat duty rate plus a levy of 35 percent will be charged for all vehicles imported into Nigeria. Attempt by the Nigeria Customs Service to commence the total implementation earlier this year, was resisted by Customs clearing agents, with the full support of importers. This resistance prompted the government to suspend the policy, only for it to subtly resurface in March 2014. However,…

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Monday said that it was working assiduously to establish a viable National Shipping line in the country through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Mr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi who made this known in a welcome address he rendered at a one day National workshop on PPP Strategy for Infrastructural Development and Modernization in the Nigerian Maritime Sector held in Lagos stated that the National Shipping Line when operational would address the problems of sea time training being experienced by the Nigerian…

Chief Eugene Nweke is the National President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF). In this interview with our correspondent, he bared his mind on the six months lifespan of the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) of the Nigeria Customs Service, the activities of the ousted Service Providers and the performance of the Nigeria Customs Service so far. Excerpts: Having operated the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) regime for an upwards of six months now, how do you assess the performance of PAAR? Well, first and foremost, PAAR is a laudable concept because PAAR is a homegrown portal and platform that…

President Goodluck Jonathan has identified inadequate manpower as the major problem militating against the growth of the maritime sector in Nigeria calling for a concerted effort to address the situation. The President who made this known last Saturrday while performing the ground breaking ceremony of the Nigerian Maritime University at Okerenkoko in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State stressed that human capacity development had been identified as a major factor needed to boost the maritime sector to fully utilize the gains of the industry. He stated that the establishment of the Maritime University would enhance his administration’s commitment…

The Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA) are gearing for a action against the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke over her claim that 60 per cent of oil lifting contracts for 2014 have been awarded to Nigerian indigenous companies. The Chairman of NISA, Chief Isaac Jolapamo who made this known while addressing journalists Tuesday at the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) International Maritime Press Centre in Lagos, said that the statement credited to the Petroleum Minister was misleading. Jolapamo also said that series of attempts by his association to get clarification of the statement attributed to the Minister were…

The Freight Agents working at the Ports and Terminals Multiservices Limited (PTML) Wednesday continued their strike action to press home their demands. The agents had on Tuesday downed tools to protest against what they called the premature implementation of the new automotive policy of the federal Government earlier enforced by the Nigeria Customs Service in February this year which was later suspended to allow room for further consultations. They wondered why the policy which was scheduled to commence on the 1st of July, 2014 would be enforced by the PTML command of the Nigeria Customs Service wondering what might have…

Hajia Idayat Bolanle Muse was born at Oyo town in Atiba Local Government Area of Oyo State Nigeria. She attended the Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School and later at St. Bernardine’s Grammar School where she obtained her West Africa Schools Certificate. She also attended the Baron School of management where she obtained her Diploma in Secretarial Administration. Later she went to study at A and B Computer College where she acquired Computer Appreciation skills. She later proceeded to the Kano State Polytechnic, and came out with Diploma in Business Administration. She finally obtained her Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University…

The Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has called on the Federal Government to extend the executive approval granted the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to operate as the Ports Economic regulator from one year to five years. The President of the Association, Mr. Bolaji Akinola who made this call while presenting his welcome address at a one day seminar tagged, “Achieving Fair and Equitable Port Pricing System in Nigeria”, jointly organized by the association and the Nigerian shipper’s Council in Lagos on Monday, stated that the one year approval granted the council by the federal Government was not enough to carry…

The stakeholders in the nation’s maritime industry have expressed happiness over the rate at which the Nigeria Customs Service has been generating and transmitting the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) which hitherto was marred by a number of complains. A cross section of the stakeholders who spoke to Primetime Reporters in Lagos on Friday acknowledged that the Nigeria Customs Service was getting over the initial problems it encountered at the inception of the regime. Speaking on the matter, the national President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Chief Eugene Nweke disclosed that in the last twenty-one days, the PAAR…

By Monday Japhet Emo It was like slow motion, hearts missed a beat, breathes stopped for nano seconds, deafening silence then the loud bang of explosion- sharpenels flew in a wide magnetic vortex, mauling and maiming anything within a wide radius, fire and smoke then everything became still. That instinct of self preservation, pumped adrenaline into lethargic and fear stiffened legs as people began to run away from the blast, some blood soaked, with gashes others with a cut or two yet a few others with no bruise but they had to run anyway. Pause! This scene is not from…