Maritime

Customs Bill: NEPZA Warns Against Weakening Free Zones

Published

4 years ago

December 20, 2021

The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) has warned that sections of the Customs Service Reform Bill that seek to empower the Nigeria Customs Service to make regulations in free zones will weaken and subvert the country’s special economic zones.
The NEPZA gave the warning at the ongoing public hearing on the bill at the House of Representatives, according to a statement by its Head, Corporate Communications, Martins Odeh.
It said, “Free zones are areas designated as such by the President to serve as one-stop-shop investment hub wherein incentives are provided in form of tax holidays, simplified Customs and Immigration processes, amongst others, with a view to attracting investors.
“The One-Stop-Shop concept, in furtherance of which regulations were made for all the active free zones with the involvement of the Nigeria Customs Service and all relevant stakeholders, would be eroded if the provisions of the bill are allowed”.
It added that by providing regulations for the free zones, the NCS would be setting a dangerous precedent, as other agencies would want to do the same.
NEPZA said the development, if not addressed promptly, would result in either multiple regulations that might be contradictory, thereby creating avoidable legal tussles, or make registration of enterprises unnecessarily cumbersome and unattractive.
“The proposed sections of the bill which seek to make the free zones Customs-controlled zones invariably seek to create antithetical Free Zones Customs Territory alien to the global free trade zone model used around the world”, it said.

Maritime

Board Approves Disciplinary Actions Against 31 Immigration Officers

Published

6 hours ago

October 27, 2025

The Tide

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has approved disciplinary measures against 31 officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) after reviewing cases presented by the Board Disciplinary and General-purpose Committee (BDGPC) from its July 11, 2025 sitting.

According to a Statement Signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, ACI Akinsola Akinlabi, Nigeria Immigration Service on Thursday, the sanctions included the dismissal of eight officers for serious misconduct and violation of service regulations.

Additionally, five officers were compulsorily retired due to misconduct, eight were demoted by one rank, and five received written warnings.

The Board rejected the dismissal appeals of two officers, citing lack of merit, while one officer was reinstated following a successful appeal.

Two officers were fully exonerated of all charges.Separately, two junior personnel,Aliyu Usman and Chukwu Nancy Ngozi were dismissed for criminal conspiracy related to theft, illegal possession of firearms, and proven allegations of kidnapping, following disciplinary proceedings completed in April and September 2025.

Under the leadership of CDCFIB Chairman and Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the guidance of NIS Comptroller-General KN Nandap, the Service reiterates its commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic

Maritime

MOWCA Partners Indonesian Govt For Maritime Capacity Development

Published

6 hours ago

October 27, 2025

The Tide

Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) has deepened its drive for human capital development in the maritime sector through a strategic partnership with the Government of Indonesia.

The collaboration has already produced tangible results with the successful training of instructors and assessors from MOWCA member states.

The partnership followed the signing of a partnership grant agreement between MOWCA and Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation, aimed at enhancing maritime capacity across Africa.

Under the agreement, Indonesia fully funded two specialised courses, “the Training of Trainers (TOT) based on IMO Model Course 6.09, and the Training Assessment, Examination and Certification of Seafarers (TOE) based on IMO Model Course 3.12.

The training took place in Jakarta at two renowned maritime institutions , Sekolah Tinggi Olomu Pelayaran (STIP) and Balaji Besar Pendidikan Penyegaran Dan Peningkatan Ilmi Pelayaran (BP3IP) and was conducted in two batches over four weeks.

The Indonesian government covered all costs, including airfare, accommodation, tuition, and allowances for participants.

To consolidate the cooperation and evaluate progress, MOWCA Secretary-General, Dr. Paul Adalikwu, undertook an official visit to Jakarta from October 11 to 19, 2025, where he held high-level meetings with top Indonesian officials, including the Minister of Transportation (represented by the Secretary of the Directorate General of Sea Transportation) and the Director of Human Resources Development.

During his visit, Dr. Adalikwu toured the training facilities, interacted with participants, and expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s hospitality and support.

He also commended the Chairperson of MOWCA, Her Excellency, Ingrid Ebouka-Babackas, Minister of Transport and Merchant Marine of the Republic of Congo, for her leadership in driving the organisation’s reform agenda.

He emphasised the shared maritime challenges between Indonesia’s archipelagic geography and Africa’s coastal regions, noting that closer South-South collaboration would advance maritime safety, training, and sustainability.

Key areas of discussion during the visit included decarbonisation, shipbuilding, ferry safety, and cadet placement. Indonesia shared details of its “Golden Indonesia 2045” agenda, highlighting progress in green shipping through the use of biofuel and LNG-powered engines, electric port equipment, and sustainable shipyard practices.

On shipbuilding, Indonesian officials noted that the country’s shipyards can construct ferries, supply vessels, and bulk carriers, and encouraged collaboration through Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry.

Dr. Adalikwu, in turn, outlined MOWCA’s initiatives to reduce ferry accidents in West and Central Africa and invited Indonesia to participate in the Regional Workshop on Ferry Safety slated for April 2026 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, following earlier editions in Gabon (2024) and Nigeria (2025).

Addressing the trainees, the Secretary-General urged them to apply the skills acquired to enhance training standards in their home institutions. Participants from 16 member states, including Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia, commended MOWCA for securing the training opportunity and thanked Indonesia for its world-class learning environment.

Adalikwu reaffirmed MOWCA’s support for Indonesia’s candidature for Category “C” of the IMO Council at the forthcoming Assembly in London this November, describing Indonesia as “a trusted maritime ally and a model for developing economies.”

The visit concluded with a graduation ceremony for the first batch of trainees, the signing of the Grant Agreement, and MOWCA’s endorsement of STIP’s bid to become a recognised branch of the World Maritime University (WMU). Both sides pledged to sustain cooperation in cadet placement, lecturer exchanges, shipbuilding, ferry safety, and green shipping initiatives.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic

Maritime

Customs Intercepts N5.3BN Illicit Drugs AT TIN CAN PORT

Published

6 hours ago

October 27, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Customs Service, Tin Can Island Port Command, said it has intercepted two containers laden with motor vehicles used to conceal significant quantities of illicit drugs.

The Command made the disclosure during a Press Briefing held at its Headquarters on Friday, Weekend.

The Customs Area Controller, Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka said the seizures was a testament to the Command’s resolve to safeguarding Nigeria’s borders and ensuring compliance with international trade regulations.

A Statement issued by the Public Relations Officer, CSC OE Ivara, quoted the Area Controller as saying that “the first container, with number HLXU8500072 and Bill of Lading Number HLCUTOR2506000834, originating from Montreal, Canada, was intercepted on 4 September 2025 through meticulous intelligence and coordinated enforcement efforts.

” Upon 100% physical examination, jointly conducted with other relevant agencies, the container was found to contain four vehicles with concealed quantities of 156 packets of Colorado Indica (a strain of cannabis) weighing 78 kilograms, and 1.2 kilograms of Hashish Oil.

“The second container, numbered FANU 312876/9, was intercepted on 24 October 2025, following actionable intelligence provided by the Customs Area Controller.

“The container, also carrying four vehicles, was found to conceal 2,081 packages of Cannabis Indica weighing 1,093 kilograms and eight (8) packages of Crystal Methamphetamine (“Meth”) weighing 8 kilograms.

“The total street value of the illicit drugs seized from both operations is estimated at ?5.304 billion.

“In line with established inter-agency collaboration protocols, the seized narcotic substances have been formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation, prosecution, and other necessary legal actions”.

The Area Controller commended the NDLEA and other partner security agencies—including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Navy, and other stakeholders for their continued collaboration in combating drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.

He issued a stern warning to individuals and groups involved in illicit drug smuggling, noting that such acts undermine the nation’s economy and pose grave risks to national security and public health.

“Let it be known that Tin Can Island Port Command, under my watch, remains resolute, vigilant, and uncompromising in enforcing the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all international conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory,” the Controller stated.

Receiving the seized items, the Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA, Tincan Strategic Command, Commander Daniel Onyishi, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its vigilance and commitment in intercepting the illicit drugs.

He noted that the handover reflects the strong spirit of collaboration between both agencies in safeguarding the nation against the menace of drug trafficking.

Commander Onyishi emphasized that the NDLEA remains resolute in carrying out its mandate to ensure that all seized substances are thoroughly investigated and disposed of in accordance with established legal procedures.