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Seme Customs Earns N8.39bn In Exports …Surpasses 2023 Revenue Target 

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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Command, says it has it facilitated a total of 41,867.88 metric tons of export products worth N8.2billion from January to October 2023.
It also recorded a total of N3.050billion revenue within the period under review, exceeding the allotted 2023 target of N1.96billion by N1.084billion, representing 55.1 percent increase.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Seme-Krake Border Command, Comptroller Timi Bomodi, disclosed this in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Hussein Abdulahi, who attributed the successes recorded by the command to strategies adopted by the leadership of the Command to checkmate revenue loopholes, in partnership with stakeholders to ensure compliance.
Bomodi also handed over seized cannabis to the representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
He said, “Upon my assumption of duty on the 18th of September, 2023, I pledged to adopt sustainable ways and means of dealing with smuggling, while the focus will be on using administrative and strategic levels to block revenue leakages.
“I also promised to encourage compliant traders and our host Communities along the corridor bearing in mind the challenges of the Joint Border Post as one that is still adjusting to the reality of the border closure.
“We have kept faith within government as talks are ongoing at the highest level to regularize the situation.
“The Command under my watch has made notable impacts in our key performance indicators which are revenue collection, anti-smuggling operations, and facilitation of legitimate trade.
“The Command continues to sustain tempo in harnessing all revenue components to achieve desired goals. The target for the Command for the year 2023 is N1.96billion only.
“As at the end of October 2023, the Command has collected N3,050, 100, 912.28 only. The revenue figure collected exceeded the allotted target of N1,966,000,000 by N1,084,100,912.28 only, which represents a 55.1% increase.
“Under Export, the Command facilitated a total of 41,867.88 Metric Tons involving 1048 trucks of export products with Free On Board (FOB) of N8,299,767,340.57..
“The Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) paid was N41,504, 608.45, only. The surcharge paid for the period under review was N40,531,580.00, only”.
On anti-smuggling operations, Bomodi recalled the headline seizures of 168 live Parrot birds and a Hawk, which are prohibited under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which Nigeria is a signatory.
He disclosed that between September and October, the Command’s operatives intercepted 1,756 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) equivalent to 52,680 liters or about 2 petroleum tankers, and 3,805 units of 50kg bags of rice equivalent to 7 trailer loads of foreign parboiled rice.
Other seizures within the period, he said, include; 1,379 of general merchandise goods, 40 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 2 used vehicles, 3 live porcupines with a Duty Paid Value of N326million.
He added that six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.
Bomodi continued that the seized cannabis sativa and suspects will be handed over to NDLEA for further investigation.
He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs for his support to the Command and the Seme Badagry Community for their cooperation.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

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Agency Boss Seeks Improvement In Revenue Collection, Accountability 

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The Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, has called on the management and staff of the brown water regulatory agency to show renewed commitment to boosting revenue generation, enforcing accountability, and improving operational efficiency of the organisation.
Oyebamiji, who made the call recently while declaring open a retreat for NIWA’s top executives and stakeholders in the industry in Lokoja, Kogi State, stressed the need for improved performance across all NIWA offices, particularly in revenue generation.
He expressed concern over the under performance of some area offices, citing cases where annual revenue figures were as low as one or two million Naira.
“This situation is simply unacceptable. Despite management’s provision of resources, incentives, and training opportunities, the expected results were not achieved.
“Moving forward, stricter measures will be enforced to ensure accountability and drive performance”, Oyebamiji stated.
He further addressed the challenges in debt recovery, revealing that many Area Managers failed to cooperate with the debt recovery consultant appointed in 2024.
He said in some instances, debtors were either untraceable or provided inconsistent financial records, making recovery efforts difficult.
“This negative attitude towards financial accountability will no longer be tolerated”, he warned.
The retreat, which brought together key stakeholders including the honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Chairman of the House Committee on Inland Waterways, the NIWA Board, Management staff, and security personnels, aims at providing a comprehensive review of the authority’s 2024 performance and establish strategic targets for 2025.
Oyebamiji emphasized that beyond reviewing past performance, the retreat would also focus on capacity building and teamwork to ensure that every officer is well-equipped to meet the set goals.
“This retreat is not just about evaluating past performance, it is about strategizing for the future. I encourage all participants to engage actively, exchange ideas, and work collectively towards making NIWA a leading agency in the marine and blue economy sector”, he concluded.
The two-day retreat featured panel discussions, training sessions, and interactive engagements aimed at strengthening NIWA’s operational framework and fostering a culture of efficiency, accountability, and innovation.

Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

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NCDMB Scribe Sues For African Collaboration Strategy On Local Content …… Decries Fragmented Implementation

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The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, has charged sub-Saharan African nations to keep pace with unfolding trends in the global oil and gas industry.
He also charged them to adopt a unified approach in strengthening local content development, advancing industrialisation and fostering sustainable continent-wide economic growth.
Ogbe stated this in a keynote address he gave at the 9th Sub-Saharan African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC), in Lagos, last Tuesday.
According to him, nations such as Nigeria, Angola, and Ghana have made notable strides in local content development by boosting indigenous participation in the oil and gas sector.
He, however, expressed regret that fragmented implementation continues to hinder collective progress.
The NCDMB scribe called for a collaborative strategy among petroleum-producing nations in sub-Saharan Africa that would foster the sharing of best practices and enhance cross-border partnerships that could drive the competitiveness of indigenous players.
In his paper entitled “Sub-Saharan Africa Local Content Collaboration Strategy”, Engr. Ogbe identified harmonisation of local content policies, human capital development, investment in infrastructure, funding for local companies and technology transfer, as key pillars to Africa’s collaboration strategy.
He noted that “there is a need to develop a robust local content framework that positions the region for long-term economic prosperity”, and that this could be fostered “through the collaborative efforts of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the African Union”.
The NCDMB boss also highlighted the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) as a critical legal framework that could be leveraged to achieve collaborative local content strategy in Africa, given the free trade area it has created by integrating 1.3 billion people across 54 African countries with a combined gross domestic product of over $3 trillion.
On human capital development, which he described as “pivotal to the successful implementation of local content”,  he observed that approximately 60% of Africa’s population is currently under the age of 25, and that this teeming population provides a unique opportunity to fast-track development.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

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ICTN Not Threat To Trade Efficiency – SEREC … Blames Unregulated Charges, Others

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The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) has in strong terms countered claims that the proposed International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) is detrimental to Nigeria’s economy.
Contrarily, SEREC said rather, it’s unregulated charges, informal levies, and multiple taxation that pose a far greater threat to trade efficiency and port competitiveness.
In a recent publication, SEREC expressed concern over the misrepresentation of ICTN’s role, particularly in media reports suggesting it would “kill the economy”.
The research center emphasised that ICTN, if properly implemented, would add real value to the port system by enhancing trade transparency, streamlining import statistics, and improving regulatory oversight.
“If we are sincerely concerned about charges that are ‘killing the economy,’ then our focus should be on the various hidden and unregulated costs currently imposed on shippers”, SEREC’s Head of Research, Eugene Nweke, siad.
SEREC provided a detailed breakdown of excessive charges affecting shippers.
These charges, according to the Centre, significantly contribute to inefficiencies in Nigeria’s port system, increasing the cost of trade and making logistics unpredictable.
One of the major concerns raised in the publication is the “Seven per cent Port Development Levy”, which continues to be collected despite the port concession regime.
In addition, “various unregulated terminal handling charges, positioning fees, scanning fees, and labour costs” have further added to the financial strain on shippers.
The “ETO Trucking Fee”, set at N100,000 per truck for entry and exit at terminals, is another significant burden, the Centre noted. Meanwhile, “arbitrary trucking costs” which are unilaterally determined by service providers create further unpredictability in the logistics chain.
SEREC also highlighted the issue of “informal payments and settlements”, which it said involved “unreceipted fees” at different cargo clearance points.
These hidden costs, coupled with “security agency tolls” allegedly imposed by government security operatives along cargo routes make cargo movement more expensive. Additionally, the Centre criticised the “state-favourably on the global stage.”

Given these arguments, SEREC is calling for the “immediate implementation of ICTN” to restore order and efficiency in Nigeria’s port system.

The research Centre argues that ICTN should not be grouped with arbitrary charges but should be seen as a “structured, value-adding fee with a clear function”.

Nweke assured that “by the time the implementation fully runs through a period, the effects and contributions to the port system and its impact is felt by all, then, those who are initially in doubt of the effectiveness of the ICTN would have no option but to embrace and appreciate the enabling device (ICTN)”.

 

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