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IMO Audit Team Submits Interim Report

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9 years ago

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The International Mari
time Organisation Member States Audit Scheme (IMSAS), has submitted an interim report after a week-long audit of the Nigerian maritime sector.
This is contained in a statement by the Head of Corporate Communication of NIMASA, Hajia Lami Tumaka, on Tuesday in Lagos, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent.
According to the statement, IMSAS calls on maritime stakeholders, especially the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to develop and formalise a long-term strategy for the implementation of IMO instruments in the country.
Presenting the interim report, the leader of the IMSAS team, Capt. Yalscin Cahit, stressed the need for NIMASA to develop its systems.
Cahit said that NIMASA had no problem with human resources and lauded the expertise, competence and commitment of the agency’s personnel.
He also drew attention to the need to fast track the enactment of regulations pursuant to IMO instruments for which Nigeria is party to.
Cahit said that issuance of regulations was critical to enforcement of IMO instruments.
He noted that the interim report had 11 findings and one observation and emphasised the need for NIMASA to respond within 90 days to the findings and come up with strategies being developed to remedy the gaps identified.
Cahit also highlighted the positive strides Nigerian maritime sector was making.
The Director- General of NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside, promised the IMSAS team that the agency together with other stakeholders, were committed to the implementation of relevant IMO instruments for the overall development of the Nigerian maritime industry.
The director-general said that the IMO Audit was in line with the vision of NIMASA.
He said that that the Agency would leverage on the findings and observation of the interim report to reposition the Nigerian maritime industry for more efficiency and competitiveness.
Peterside thanked the IMO Audit team for a thorough job done.
He assured the team that NIMASA would take the report very serious, adding that in the next one year, most of the identified deficiencies would be drastically reduced if not completely eliminated.
“With the active support of the Minister of Transportation and the leadership of the Agency which is forward looking, focused and determined, Nigeria will certainly regain its lost glory in the comity of maritime nations.
“ NIMASA will immediately settle down to work to address these findings”, the director-general said.
The Tide reports that the Audit is aimed at promoting consistent and effective implementation of applicable IMO conventions, resolutions and protocols amongst member nations.
The audit is also meant to assist member states to improve their capabilities in the enforcement of IMO instruments for the overall benefit of global shipping.

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Maritime

NSEMA Blames Boat Mishap On Overloading 

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2 weeks ago

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September 8, 2025

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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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2 weeks ago

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September 8, 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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2 weeks ago

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September 8, 2025

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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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