Maritime

MWUN Accuses NIMASA Of Not Training Indigenous Seafarers

Published

6 years ago

February 21, 2020

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Rivers State Branch, has accused the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) of not training indigenous seafarers in the country.
The union also accused the Dr. Dakuku Peterside led agency of not providing jobs for competent indigenous seafarers on board vessels.
Chairman, MWUN, Rivers State Branch, Comrade Jonah Jumbo, made the accusations on Wednesday during a telephone interview with The Tide on the state of maritime industry in the country.
Jonah said over 1,000 trained indigenous seafarers are jobless in the country even with their Certificate of Competence (CoC) to man vessels.
He frowned at situations where unqualified expatriates took the jobs that should have been given to competent indigenous seafarers.
Comrade Jonah called on NIMASA to control the influx of unqualified expatriates in the maritime sector and engage indigenous seafarers in line with the law regulating the maritime sector.
“I blame NIMASA and the government for disappointing the indigenous seafarers in the region. Dakuku Peterside is not helping us”, he said.
He urged NIMASA to partner with MWUN in the area of training indigenous seafarers.
He also advised the seafarers to upgrade themselves with necessary documents so as to secure jobs in the industry.
Customs Tasks PH Area 2, Onne To Generate N140bn
The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Hameed Ali, has set a revenue target of N140 billion for Port Harcourt Area 2, Onne Command in Rivers State.
This is as the service has set a daily revenue target of N1.8 billion and N1.5 billion for the Apapa Area Command and Tin Can Island Port Area Command, in Lagos State, respectively.
This was contained in a breakdown of 2020 revenue targets set for the various Customs commands made available to The Tide, yesterday.
The NCS said the targets would enable it meet its N2 trillion revenue target earmarked for the 2020 fiscal year.
The Federal Government had set a revenue target of N1.5 trillion for the NCS this year but the Customs Comptroller-General jerked it up to N2 trillion.
Customs total collection in 2019 stood at N1.3 trillion.
But Ali, in a circular signed by Deputy Comptroller-General, Talatu Isa, approved the revenue targets and directed immediate implementation.
The Apapa Area Command is expected to generate N607 billion for the year while the Tin Can Area Command is expected to rake in N507 billion.
The statement added that the Tin Can Island Port Complex, Lagos is expected to rake in N238 billion.
The Customs high command said in the circular that the allocated figures were arrived at based on the peculiarities of the commands.
Recall that clearing agents under the aegis of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) had, penultimate week, vowed to resist attempts by the Customs to arm-twist traders and clearing agents in its bid to realise its self-imposed N2 trillion revenue target.
Secretary General of ANLCA, Babatunde Mukaila, said Customs should focus more on trade facilitation rather than laying too much emphasis on revenue generation.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Maritime

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

Published

4 days ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

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.

Maritime

DANTSOHO Calls For Synergy In Revamping Nation’s Ports

Published

4 days ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

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

Maritime

Customs To Partner NAPTIP On Human Trafficking Menace

Published

4 days ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

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