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Reps Summon Customs Boss Over Remittances

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13 years ago

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The Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Inde Dikko, has been summoned by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts over remittances to the federation account between 2007and 2010.

The committee is currently investigating remittances by revenue generating agencies.

The House members were working on queries bordering on 2007 to 2010 remittances to the federation account.

The House Committee branded the customs service as a lawless service agency.

According to the committee, “The Comptroller-General, had ignored six invitations, must address some queries regarding remittances that the service ought to have made” .

The committee has however fixed Wednesday, April 10, as the date Dikko must appear before it, noting that failing to respond to sundry issues raised by the· office of the Auditor-General of the federation may not be welcome.

The members of the committee took time to lambast the CGC for his arrogance and insubordination. The chairman of the committee, Hon. Solomon Olanilekan, expressed dismay at what he called consistent failure of the customs boss to honour their invitation.

It was gathered that the customs CG traveled to Ghana, but however delegated Deputy Comptroller- General (DG), John Atte, to represent him at the scheduled meeting, a development that angered the House committee members.

A member of the committee said, “we are not happy, the CG cannot be above board. That he is controlling revenue and in charge of too much money does not make him above board”.

The House of Representatives are also probing the Nigeria  National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of the N5.6 billion, which the corporation spent yearly on oil pipeline protection in violation of the NSCDC Act.

The House resolution was taken through a motion moved by Hon. Robinson Uwak on the contract awarded by the NNPC for pipeline protection, a role that is statutorily allocated to the Nigerian security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The three commuters comprises of Petroleum Resources (Down stream) Interior and National Security and Intelligence were mandated to investigate the matter and report to the whole House within four weeks.

According to Hon. Robinson Uwak, the NNPC spent  N5.6 billion yearly on the. protection of oil pipelines in violation of the NSCDC Act, which empowers the corps to protect the pipelines in section 3(1) of the NSCDC it stated, “the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps shall maintains 24 hours surveillance over infrastructure, sites and projects of the federal, states and local government.

The NSCDC has the power to arrest without a warrant, detain, investigate and institute legal proceedings against any person who is reasonably suspected to have committed an offence under this Act, or is involved in any power transmission lines or, oil pipelines, Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) cables equipment, water board pipes and equipment vandalism.

Hon Uwak stated that the huge sums of money spent in servicing the pipeline contract could be invested in funding the NSCDC to enable it carry out its statutory functions, rather than giving it to a private firm in violation of the law”.

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Maritime

NPA Vows To Sustain Sanity On Port Access Roads  ……Deploys ETO To Enhance Truck Movement 

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4 days ago

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November 3, 2025

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The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has reiterated it’s commitment to preventing a return to the severe Apapa gridlock that previously plaqued the Lagos ports access roads.
It said the electronic truck call- up system ( ETO) has been recently reviewed and enhanced to integrate terminal gates directly with the ETO platform.
Speaking in reaction to media reports on the resurgence of gridlock on port access roads, Port Manager, Lagos Port Complex, Adebowale Lawal, said the NPA, in line with its mandate to ensure the smooth operation of port activities and the free flow of traffic around the Apapa Port Complex corridor, remained fully committed to maintaining order and preventing any reoccurrence of the gridlock previously experienced along the access roads.
“We have recently undertaken a review and enhancement of the ETO system, which now integrates Terminal Gates directly with the ETO platform.
“This integration is designed to provide a structured sequencing of truck movements, both inbound and outbound within the Apapa Port Complex.
“The objective of this initiative is to ensure transparency, improve traffic efficiency, and maintain a sustainable operating environment around the ports.
“However, the success of this system depends largely on the cooperation and compliance of all Stakeholders, including Terminal Operators, Transport Unions, Drivers, Clearing Agents, and Government Agencies (Both Federal and State).
“Sequencing truck entry and exit is not rocket science. With sincerity of purpose and commitment from all concerned, we can achieve and maintain orderliness and prevent a return to the chaotic conditions of the past.
“It is in our best interest, because smooth Ingress and Egress of Trucks will, in the long run, bring about high turnover for all stakeholders,” he stated.
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Maritime

DANTSOHO Calls For Synergy In Revamping Nation’s Ports

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4 days ago

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November 3, 2025

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The Managing Director, Nigeria Ports Authority(NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has called for synergy in revamping the nation’s ports.
Dantsoho made the call shortly after the second meeting of the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He insisted that without collaboration amongst major actors little or nothing would be achieved in revamping the ports
“Until there is collaboration and partnership you cannot achieve efficiency at the ports”, he said.
Dantsoho highlighted steps taken by the Ports Authority to address bottlenecks faced by importers and exporters at the nation’s ports.
The MD said the Customs and Ports Efficiency Committee established by the NPA is recording huge successes through the joint inspection and boarding by relevant agencies operating in the area.
He identified adoption of technology, improvement in infrastructure, human capacity building, equipment and tools, as areas that could be improved to enhance port efficiency.
This, according to him, would ensure that Nigeria remains competitive and relevant in the sub-region, continent and beyond.
Speaking at the event, the Director –  General, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Zahrah Audu, called for collective resolve among stakeholders to improve port operations, making cargo clearance faster and more efficient.
While acknowledging the efforts of the Customs and Ports Efficiency Committee, Audi however, decried the losses incurred as a result of the inefficiency at the nation’s ports,
Audu described the committee as a platform that represents not only interagency collaboration but a shared commitment to making Nigeria’s ports globally competitive, transparent, and efficient.
By: Chinedu Wosu
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Maritime

Customs To Partner NAPTIP On Human Trafficking Menace 

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4 days ago

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November 3, 2025

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The Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) said it will collaborate with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in combating human trafficking and the illegal trade in endangered species.
The Comptroller General Cust oms, Adewale Adeniyi stated this while playing host to the Courtesy Visit by a delegation from NAPTIP, in his office, in Abuja.
He noted that Nigeria’s security challenges require joint action, as the Service does not view crimes solely through the lens of smuggling but through broader national security implications.
Adeniyi said “We believe in the power of collaboration,We can achieve more with less when we work together.”
The Comptroller General revealed that the Service has intensified its work on environmental sustainability and the enforcement of international conventions regarding flora and fauna, assured the delegation that Customs will fully collaborate on the upcoming national dialogue on human trafficking and stowaway incidents, scheduled for February 2026.
He pledged to provide technical expertise, intelligence sharing, and access to the Service’s training curriculum to strengthen inter-agency understanding of trafficking dynamics.
“We will accept your request for partnership unconditionally”
” We will work with your designated officials on the February summit and explore wider interventions that reinforce national security”, he stated.
Adeniyi commended the delegation for their continued service to the country and assured them of Customs’ unwavering support.
Earlier, the Director General, NAPTIP, Binta Adamu, expressed delight at securing formal engagement with the Customs Service.
She stated that NAPTIP was eager to strengthen operational partnerships, particularly in areas such as intelligence exchange, policy development, and cross-border enforcement.
In her words, “I am happy today that I finally made it here and held this discussion with the Comptroller-General. We are a law enforcement agency with mandates to prevent, prosecute and protect as partnership with Customs is essential for our work”
She noted that human trafficking continues to evolve, requiring close coordination among agencies operating at Nigeria’s multiple entry and exit points.
Also Speaking former Director with NIMASA; Hajia Lami Tumaka, said the visit was to seek Customs’ partnership for a one-day national policy dialogue on human trafficking by sea and stowaway incidents.
Tumaka described Customs as a “strategic player in border management and maritime enforcement,” adding that its involvement is critical to the success of the dialogue.
“Your officers are often the first line of defence against illicit movement of goods and persons. Your expertise and nationwide presence are indispensable”, she said.
By: Chinedu Wosu
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