Business
NEPAD, ECCAS Sign MoU On Fisheries
NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the implementation of the policy on fisheries in Central Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by Dr Sloans Chimatiro, the Senior Fisheries Advisor, NEPAD Agency at the 17th African Union Summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, a copy made available to newsmen in Abuja.
Chimatiro said that the MoU was signed by Dr Ibrahim Mayaki, the NEPAD Agency Chief Executive Officer and Gen. Louis Sylvain-Goma, the Secretary-General of ECCAS.
The agreement, according to him, is aimed at supporting the implementation of efforts between NEPAD Agency and ECCAS, with a view to assisting the Regional Fisheries Commission to strengthen its capacity to implement the regional fisheries strategy for the region.
The MoU, the Advisor added, include assisting ECCAS to increase the contribution of fisheries to the economic growth and the strengthening of the role of fisheries in the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) at the national and regional levels
He said that the MoU would expedite the integration of the policy on fisheries into the regional economic community agenda and processes, provide technical support to ECCAS in developing and implementing the Regional Plans of Action, to reduce illegal fishing.
He said that the MoU was also aimed at developing the capacity of ECCAS member states to design and implement fisheries policy and governance reforms, which would enhance the integration of fisheries into the regional value chains whilst also improving access to international fish markets.
The statement added that NEPAD Agency’s support to ECCAS would also result in strengthening human, institutional and professional capacities in the sub-region, to enable ECCAS member states tap the rich potential of the resources of the resources of the sub-region.
“ This support has been made possible through funding from the UK Department for International Development (DFID), within the context of the Partnership for African Fisheries”, the statement said.
Business
Adeniyi’s Impersonator Faces Trial, Knows Fate, July 3
The Federal High Court sitting in the Central Business District of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has conducted a hearing of one Ibrahim Shu’aibu, a 50-year-old man, for assuming the character of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, among other distinguished personalities in Nigeria, to commit fraudulent activities.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) had in January addressed the media about the suspect’s apprehension by the Service’s Police Unit following his involvement in fraudulent activities, which included luring numerous citizens to pay him money for the issuance of job appointment letters.
During the court hearing, the lead Counsel of the NCS, Abidemi Adewumi-Aluko, said the accused was arraigned on a nine-count charge to which the defendant pleaded not guilty.
Justice Binta Nyako, the Presiding judge, adjourned the hearing to Wednesday, 3 July 2024, and ordered that the accused be remanded with the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the fulfillment of bail requirements.
By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
Business
Trans-Border Trade Setback: Shippers’ Council Pledges Support For ITC
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has expressed readiness to support the International Trade Centre (ITC) as part of measures toward resolving challenges faced by trans-border traders and trade facilitation.
Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr. Pius Akutah, disclosed this in Lagos last Friday, when delegates of ITC, paid a working visit on a fact finding mission.
While harping on the role of the Council as an ombudsmen in port operations, Akutah emphasized that trade facilitation is a major initiative of the NSC, pledging to provide the necessary support to ensure the success of the study brought forward by the ITC team.
He noted that the study will strengthen the Council’s ability to formalize informal trade at border areas, gather statistics, and plan for trade volumes.
Akutah stated that the focus of the study is on agricultural products, as a significant area of potential for Nigeria, not only in the African region, but also globally.
He expressed optimism that the study will help develop skills and improve operations at the Border Information Centre (BIC) managed by the Council.
“Trade facilitation is one of the major aspect of what we do so we are going to give you the necessary support to achieve the success that is desired.
“The study will help us to plan and develop more skills in terms of what we do at the Border Information Centre. Shippers Council is a partner and I want us to take our partnership to the next level that will focus on engagement with our stakeholders”, Akutah noted.
Speaking earlier during the courtesy visit to the NSC headquarters, Associate Programme Officer, ITC, Richard Eke- Metoho, who led the delegation, said the visit to the Council was part of the team’s ongoing study to identify areas for improvement in trade facilitation, particularly at border crossing points.
He stated the importance of collecting data from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, which manages a border information center at Seme-Krake border.
According to him, some of the identified challenges faced by traders and truck drivers using the Seme-Krake border, a key trade route is the number of checkpoints and lack of scanners.
He said information collected by the team will not only identify existing trade facilitation measures that are working effectively, but also lead to the development of new trade facilitation measures that address the challenges faced by traders
He said, “We are here to collect experience from the Nigerian Shippers Council.
“From our interactions with the Shippers Council, we keep finding similar problem faced by traders, most especially on the number of checkpoints and scanners that are really needed especially for transporters and truck drivers.
“It is still an ongoing study. The more information we collect right now, the more it will help us to make more informed decision process. At the end of the study, we will be able to develop a report that will pinpoint all the main obstacles that traders are facing”.
Business
Customs Condemns Attack On Officers In Katsina
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has condemned the brutal attack on its officers and men at the Gamji Makaho checkpoint in the Dankama area of Katsina State on April 17, 2024, which claimed the life of Customs Assistant II Auwal Haruna.
The Service vowed that it would stop at nothing in securing justice for the victims of the attack.
NCS also said it would rejig its anti-smuggling operations while strengthening collaborations with other sister security agencies as part of measures to reinforce the fight against smuggling.
Speaking on the resolve of the management to pursue the matter to its logical conclusion, Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi extended his heartfelt condolences to the family and colleagues of CA II Auwal Haruna.
He disclosed that the service, in close collaboration with other security agencies, is tirelessly working towards “apprehending the perpetrators of this reprehensible act and ensure they face the full consequences of the law.
“Violence against our officers is utterly unacceptable, and we will pursue every avenue to bring those responsible to justice.
“The safety of our personnel and the security of our borders remain paramount. We are committed to working with traditional rulers, government bodies, and sister agencies to combat this heinous crime against our personnel”.
He further reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the service under his watch to combating smuggling and other cross-border crimes, adding that the Service will not falter in its mission to uphold the laws of the land and protect the interests of the Nigerian people.
The CGC said: “Intelligence available to us indicates that certain unpatriotic community members are harbouring suspected accomplices involved in this heinous crime.
“We implore these individuals to embrace patriotism by aligning with the laws and refraining from condoning illegality. It is in the best interest of our communities and nation to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to root out criminal elements and ensure that justice prevails”.
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