Maritime
ISAN Tasks FG On Cabotage
The Indigenous Shipowners Association of Nigeria (ISAN), has
asked the Federal Government to put in place incentives to enable indigenous
operators perform better in domestic shipping, otherwise known as cabotage.
General Secretary of ISAN, Capt. Olaniyi Labinjo, made the
plea during an interview with our correspondent on Monday in Lagos.
“There are no established rewarding incentives as well as
patronage policies and guidelines for Nigerian operators engaged in domestic
shipping.
“This is unlike what obtains in other maritime jurisdictions
such as the UK, US, Canada, India, Indonesia and Malaysia, where their
governments have robust promotional and support initiatives,” he said.
Labinjo recalled that the association had submitted a
memorandum to the National Assembly in this regard during the Presidential
Maritime Retreat held in Abuja in July.
The ISAN scribe said that there was need to develop several
incentives, including cargo support, tax relief, duty waivers for ships and
spares.
He also urged government to provide financial incentives and
reduce port and harbour dues for cabotage vessels.
Labinjo expressed concern on the absence of a conducive
environment for the indigenous shipping fleet, adding that government should
encourage local ship owners who, according to him, have invested so much in the
business.
He also suggested exemptions from customs duty, company tax,
exemption of seafarers from tax, as some forms of relief which could be granted
the ship owners.
“The Cabotage Act at present provides that Nigerians must
carry 50 per cent of Nigerian-generated cargo, but since inception in 2004, not
one tonne has been carried by a Nigerian and there is need for this to be
corrected.
“Government fails to realise that by buying one ship and
giving incentives, so many people would be employed.
“ For example, the maritime newspaper publishers, insurance
companies, legal professionals and all other persons providing ancillary
services will be employed, ” he said.
Labinjo added that part of the recommendations of ISAN is a
call for the establishment of a board that would be responsible for licensing
of cabotage vessels and granting waivers to applicants, after giving indigenous
ship owners the first option of refusal.
He suggested that the composition of the board should
include a representative of ISAN, with the board being responsible to the
Minister of Transport.
“This is in line with practices in other jurisdictions,
namely USA, UK, Malaysia, Indonesia, India and Canada.
“Therefore, Sections 10 to 22 of the Cabotage Act should be
amended.” he added.
The ISAN scribe also urged that government should review the
penalties for contravening the Cabotage Act, saying that compared with other
jurisdictions, the penalties were light.
“We propose a very stiff penalty under Part VII, Sections
35-41 to include, but not limited to forfeiture of the offending vessel, a fine
of a minimum of N200 million and imprisonment for a minimum term of five years,
to deter would-be offenders.
He said that another area the association suggested for
review in the Act was the requirement for vessels to be built in Nigeria.
Labinjo, however, noted that this might be difficult as the
country lacked regular power supply and the raw material, steel
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operation Base (FOB), Badagry, says its gallant officers have rescued nine women from the hands of suspected human traffickers.
FOB said the suspects have been handed over to the National Agency for prohibition of Human trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) for prosecution.
This was disclosed to newsmen in a statement by the Base Information Officer, Litunent B. Awodeyi, in Lagos.
Awodeyi said the first interception of the women was during a stop and search operation by the Quick Response Team (QRT) of the Command in a boat traveling to mile 2 and Panshi Jetty in Lagos State were five women between the ages of 19 and 32 were rescued.
The statement further said four women were also rescued by QRT two days later in a boat along Tongeji Island in Badagry, with the ages of victims ranging from 19 to 24 years.
Awodeyi said the rescued suspects were under investigation in line with the 2016 Harmonised Standard Procedures on arrest.
Although the names of the suspects were not made public by FOB, it insisted that the operation reflects Navy’s dedication to combating human trafficking and ensuring a secure maritime environment in line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s strategic directive 2023 and 2026.
The directive, Awodeyi said, is aimed at promoting safety in Nigeria’s waters and the Gulf of Guinea (GOG).
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), led by its President-General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, has announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike, if the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) fails to pay nine months of salary arrears owed its employees.
Adeyanju said the affected workers are members of MWUN, and accused CRFFN management of neglecting its financial responsibilities.
MWUN in a statement by its Head of Media, Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the actions of the CRFFN’s Acting Registrar.
The statement noted that MWUN had exhausted all available options for negotiation, including issuing several ultimatums, but that the efforts were ignored by the management of CRFFN.
“The most recent attempt at mediation occurred in Abuja on September 18, 2024, yet no progress was made in resolving the matter”, it said.
The statement criticised CRFFN for disregarding a crucial resolution reached during the mediation meetings.
According to Ikemefuna, one of the resolutions stipulated that when funds become available to the CRFFN, the payment of employees’ salaries should be prioritis ed.
The statement further noted that CRFFN diverted available funds to conduct what it described as a “kangaroo” training programme for select staff members, leaving the issue of unpaid salaries unaddressed.
“This is a clear violation of the agreements reached”, it emphasised.
The Union said CRFFN’s actions have deepened the financial challenges faced by its members, hence MWUN expressed disappointment that, despite their willingness to cooperate with the CRFFN management, the regulatory body has continued to act in a manner that undermines the rights and welfare of its members.
The workers union, therefore, insisted that it would no longer tolerate the perceived impunity of the CRFFN and declared that if the outstanding nine months salary arrears are not paid, it would have no choice but to initiate a total withdrawal of its members from services.
“This action would impact key sectors of Nigeria’s maritime industry, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, dock labour, shipping and freight forwarding agencies, as well as seamen working across all ports, jetties, terminals, and oil and gas platforms”, Ikemefuna stated.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Command, has thwarted a smuggling attempt of N1.1billion illicit drugs in four containers at Apapa Port.
The four seized containers were filled with narcotics valued at N1,183,915,500.
The Command’s Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, disclosed this to newsmen through its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abubakar Usman.
The seizure involved 236,783 bottles of cough syrups containing codeine and Barcadin, packed in a total of 2,174 cartons from two terminals under the command’s jurisdiction.
Three other seizures were made at APM Terminals, while one was intercepted at Kachicares Bonded Terminal.
Comptroller Olomu explained that, “On October 11, 2024, during a joint inspection of a 1×40 container, number MRKU0377493, our officers discovered prohibited CSP cough syrup—34,800 bottles packed into 174 cartons, each containing 200 bottles.
“The shipment was expired at the time of interception”.
The statement said on the same day, another 1×40 container, number TGBU8886020, was found with 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup, packed in cartons containing 100 bottles each.
Additionally, a third container (TCKU6800526) examined on October 15, 2024, at APMT Terminal, labelled as containing essential goods, revealed 19 cartons of concealed CSJ cough syrup for throat and chest with codeine, packed in 200 bottles per carton.
Another major seizure was recorded on October 15, 2024, at Kachicares Resources Terminal: A 1×40FT container, number SUDU8579006, declared as containing kitchen wares, was found with a concealed stash of Barcadin cough syrup in 1,584 cartons, along with 83 loose bottles.
Comptroller Olomu described the seizures as part of the NCS’ zero-tolerance policy toward smuggling.
Apapa Command, he said, “is committed to efficient trade facilitation while maintaining strict controls on revenue collection and anti-smuggling activities.
”I urge those engaged in illegal trade to avoid Apapa Port. Our vigilant officers, using intelligence, technology, and experience, are poised to detect and intercept any smuggling attempts”.
He insisted that Codeine abuse has been linked to severe side effects, including drowsiness, confusion, and increased susceptibility to criminal behaviors.
“The Nigerian government banned the importation of codeine-containing cough syrups in 2018 after widespread misuse among youth”, he noted.
The Comptroller said further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the individuals behind the smuggling attempts.