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PH Airport Users Oppose New Tax Imposition Allege Double Taxation

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2 years ago

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It was really a flex of muscles between users of the Port Harcourt International Airport Omagwa, especially air passengers, and the authorities of the airport, as users kicked against imposition of another charge by the airport management on vehicles brought to the airport.
The airport management, through the airport Manager, Mr Michael Arewa, who is also the Regional Manager, South-South/South-East of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), introduced another levy on vehicles brought to the airport on Wednesday and began enforcement the same day.
Vehicles brought to the airport were compelled to pay additional N500 for parking, in addition to the N500 paid at the toll gate, and were not allowed to pick their passengers, relatives or their principal, except they comply with the payment.
The matter grew worse on Thursday when the airport Manager re-enforced to secure compliance, as he brought both police and airforce, in addition to their aviation security operatives, but these led to open confrontations with other security operatives who were on ground to pick their principals.
The Tide observed that all the vehicles were compelled to pass through the toll gate to the parking area near departure and arrival point, and were compelled to pay the sum stated, depending on the category of the vehicles, while other entrance and exit roads were closed and mounted by security.
While reacting to the development, some users accused the airport management of double taxation on passengers and airport users, and doing such without notice and enlightenment to the public.
One of the user, who introduced himself as protocol person in a multinational oil company, in his reaction, said this situation was becoming a double taxation, as they are made to pay at the tollgate, and pay the same amount on picking their passengers.
Meanwhile, a private business operator at the airport who wish to be anonymous, while reacting to the matter, noted that the Port Harcourt Airport is depreciating in quality everyday, whereas more taxes are introduced every now and then, particularly in the present management.
According to him, many shops have been closed down by the new management because of new imposition, but that the roads and Lightings at the airport are deteriorating. He wondered where all the money being collected is going to.

Several efforts were made to see the airport Manager for clarifications on issues, but he could not be reached, as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the airport, Mrs Ngozi, claimed he is shy with the press.

The PRO also insisted that the airport manager was very busy, and could not see the press, and she was also unwilling to speak to airport correspondents.

The Tide gathered that managers of the airlines at the airport are not comfortable with the development, and are having talks with the airport management on the matter.

Meanwhile, many of the airlines’ passengers are complaining of the imposition, which also caused some hiccups in the rush hour to boarding of flights.

By: Corlins Walter

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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June 27, 2025

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The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure  and equipment  modernization drive  with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the  clearing  of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying,  “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President  of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

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2 weeks ago

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June 27, 2025

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National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement 

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2 weeks ago

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June 27, 2025

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In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of  NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the  Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu
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