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FG Unveils Incentives For Indigenous Ship Owners

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The Federal Government says it will soon unveil incentives for indigenous ship owners in the country.
The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Emmanuel Jime, disclosed this recently while hosting members of the Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA) in his office in Apapa, Lagos,
Jime, who assured indigenous ship owners that the Federal Government will soon unveil incentives to enable them acquire and maintain ships, listed the incentives to include zero import duty of vessels, abolition of the controversial temporary importation permit imposed by the Nigeria Customs Service, and setting up of a Shipping Sector Support Fund.
“Ship ownership, to me, represents a central place in the maritime industry. I can also go further to say that if Nigeria is actually going to take its rightful place and be recognized as a maritime hub, then ship ownership would become topical as far as the industry is concerned.
“So, that, to me, is the reason I consider this visit as one of the most important engagements I’ve had since my arrival in this assignment”, he said.
He noted that unless the Nigerian ship owning community grows and becomes competitive enough to take centre stage as far as shipping activities are concerned, Nigeria will not derive maximum value from the maritime industry.
According to him, the Nigerian Fleet Implementation Committee has been saddled with the responsibilities of mobilizing the public and private sectors in a bid to establish a strong ship ownership community in the country.
“We have also been mandated to develop a framework that would support the establishment of a sustainable Nigerian Fleet.
“Also, we are given the responsibility to develop strategies that will incentivise. In other words, incentives that are needed to be put in place. These are strategies that will engender incentives for ship owners.
“We are also saddled with the responsibility to set out action items that would encourage the development of ship building and ship repair facilities. Then, we will provide guidelines and recommendations to augment the maritime manpower capacity.
In response to what the stated incentives are, he said, “the first, which I believe, is topical and and which  we have been discussing is the ability to access zero import duty of vessels.
“I know that part of that has been achieved, but there are lots more to go down the road to abolish temporary importation permit to impose stringent measures. This concerns the Nigeria Customs Service.
“We believe that the key incentive is the Shipping Sector Support Fund. We are talking of shipping and it is an area that is highly capital intensive. So, if you are able to put that job of the fund in place as an incentive, other things would be easier. We also believe that waiver of export tariffs for the use of Nigerian vessels is also key,” he concluded.

By: Chinedu Wosu

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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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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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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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