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Association Faults Manager’s Claim On Ports’ Utilisation

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The Association of Indigenous Importers and Exporters in
Niger Delta (AIIEND), has faulted a statement by the Port Manager, Port
Harcourt Port, Mr. Oladele Alabi that the Eastern Ports are not under –
utilised.

The Association had also declared as untrue his statement
that it is cheaper to import through the Eastern Ports than the Western ports,
describing the statements as misleading, false and un-true.

The President of the body, Mr. Somiari Prince Halliday made
this remarks while reacting to statements made by the Port Manager during the
visit of the House of Representative Committee on Marine Transports tour to the
port as part of their oversight functions recently.

Mr. Halliday said they are not surprised that such a
statement could come from Mr. Alabi, whom they alleged is happy seeing the
Eastern Ports crumble at the expense of the Western Ports.

According to him, the Port manager should be ashamed of
himself that he is in-charge of a Port without a tug boat nor pilot workers and
even security boat, pilot quarters, access road and other facilities to enhance
terminal operations for vessels to come to the Port, adding that the Port
lacked those facilities that attracts Port users friendly.

He noted that the statement was a calculated attempt to
render Eastern Ports redundant and make the economy boom for the Eastern ports
to depend more on the Western economy.

The Association however noted that the role of the Nigerian
Ports Authority (NPA) is to ensure the operation and function of all ports to
attract importers and Exporters alike, and also frowned over the non-uniformity
of duties and freight charges as some service providers at the Ports charges
higher than others, thereby encouraging Port users to look for where the
charges are low.

The President wondered also that if the operations of the
customs and Excise differs at different ports, and appealed to the new managing
Director of NPA, Alhaji Habibi Abdullahi to ensure that all Nigeria – bound
vessels are distributed equitable across board instead of the congestion at the
Eastern Ports.

The Association however called for the sacking of the Port
Manager of Port Harcourt Port for his inability to revive the Port as other
Ports.

It accused the former managing Director of NPA, Alhaji
Suleiman Umar of reducing the Eastern Ports to mere transit camps instead of
making them work at full capacity despite huge capital and lease fee by
operators, and urged the new management to rise up to the challenges by
ensuring that Eastern Ports work in full capacity.

“Most of the challenges faced in the Eastern ports were not
too difficult to address but were text un-attended because of Politics”.
“Issues such as access roads that are in state of disrepair, proper dredging of
the channels to allow bigger vessels to come in, the inability of NPA
management to rehabilitate Port Harcourt Port and other ports since inception
unlike Lagos Ports that are being rehabilitated on regular basis formed part of
the reasons the Ports in the East have been under- utilized”, Mr. Halliday
said.

The Association further alleged that ports in the East
suffered more redundancy under the administration of Suleiman Omar, despite the
fact that he served last as Port manager in the East before his appointment as
managing Director of NPA two years ago, and pledged their support and loyalty
to the new management.

 

Collins Barasimeye

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Maritime

NSEMA Blames Boat Mishap On Overloading 

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The Management of Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has attributed the recent boat mishap that claimed the lives of over 29 passengers to overloading.
Director General of the Agency, Abdullahi Baba Arah, disclosed this during an interview with newsmen in Minna.
Arah stated that preliminary findings showed that the mishap was caused by overloading and a collision with a submerged tree stump.
“Our desk officer who’s leading the search and rescue operations confirmed that the boat left Tungan Sule with 90 people on board, including women and children, on their way to Dugga for a condolence visit”, he explained.
He disclosed that none of the passengers wore life jackets, despite repeated sensitization and government directives on water safety in the state.
“So far, 29 bodies have been recovered, 50 passengers rescued alive, while two people are still missing”, Arah added.
The Managing Director noted that search and rescue operations were still ongoing to recover the remaining victims.
“At least 29 people have been confirmed dead while several others remain missing after a boat carrying about 90 passengers capsized in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State”, he said.
Arah said the ill-fated boat set out from Tungan Sule in Shagunu Ward, and was heading to Dugga Community for a condolence visit when tragedy struck at Gausawa.
 Eyewitnesses said the vessel was carrying mostly women and children on board and suddenly began to experience difficulties before it eventually capsized.
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Maritime

Customs Records N3.68tn Revenue In First Half, 2025

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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said the Service has recorded a revenue of N3.68 trillion in the first half of 2025.
The Service said the amount surpassed its revenue target by N390.20 billion, equivalent to 11.85 per cent.
Spokesman of NCS Abdullahi Maiwada, made this known in a statement issued to newsmen  in Abuja.
Maiwada said the Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) did a comprehensive review of the revenue, which was announced at its 63rd regular meeting.
The meeting, he said, was chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.
The Spokesman saidthe Board linked the achievement to the effectiveness of NCS`s ongoing reforms, improved compliance by stakeholders and enhanced deployment of technology in Customs operations alongside service’s strengthened capacity in revenue mobilisation.
 Maiwada said, “between 1st January and 30th June, 2025, the Service recorded a total revenue collection of N3,682,496,530,576.48, representing a remarkable performance above expectations.
“In practical terms, this signifies that within six months, the NCS has already achieved 55.93 per cent of its annual revenue target”, he said.
On the Trade Modernisation Project, he said the Board acknowledged milestones recorded, including wider deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) and arrival of six scanners, including an FS6000 model to boost non-intrusive inspection.
Other achievements recorded  by NCS include, procurement of Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) equipment, setup of the Centralised Image Analysis System (CIAS) at Customs Headquarters, and reinforcement of cybersecurity architecture.
The statement said the Board acknowledged that these developments further aligned with Nigeria’s clearance processes with international best practices.
According to Maiwada, the Comptroller-General of NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, congratulated the newly appointed and promoted officers and  urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them.
Adeniyi reaffirmed the service’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity, transparency, and excellence in service delivery, and also appreciated the Minister of Finance for  what called “his continued support and guidance”.
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Maritime

Shippers Partner NAPTIP, MMS Against Human Trafficking 

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Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) says it would partner with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and Money Management Series (MMS) to eliminate human trafficking at Nigeria’s waterways.
The Council said the collaboration would boost surveillance and collaborate with NAPTIP and MMS to combat this economic crime.
Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, NSC, Akutah Pius,  made this known recently to newsmen during an interview.
He said the Council is commitment to supporting the fight against human trafficking, particularly stowaway and related crimes.
Pius assured NAPTIP and MMS of the Council’s readiness to provide necessary support to actualize their aspirations.
Earlier, the Director, NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, outlined the importance of strategic partnerships with agencies such as the NSC in preventing and reporting trafficking activities at the country’s waters.
Bello commended the NSC’s role in overseeing critical gateways to the nation’s trade and transport system.
Also Speaking, member, Women of Fortune Hall of Fame (WOFHoF) initiative, Hajia Lami Tumaka, referenced a report by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that the global shipping industry lost $8.9 million to 364 stowaways between February 2020 and February 2021.
The statistic, she said, underscores the need for collaborative efforts to combat human trafficking.
“The NSC, NAPTIP, and MMS are set to work together to strengthen surveillance and prevent human trafficking at Nigeria’s waterways.
“This partnership aims to protect the nation’s trade and transport system from the scourge of human trafficking”, she stated.
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