Maritime
Customs To Check Arms Importation At Apapa Port
The Apapa Area Command
of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) last Monday said it would not allow importation of arms through the sea port.
The Comptroller of the Command, Eporwei Edike, told our correspondent in Lagos that the command’s system of examination of containers would not allow security lapses.
Edike said that a “certificate of examination” system was introduced to ensure that officers were identified with a particular responsibility when they undertake cargo examination.
The comptroller said that besides the certificate of examination, the customs intelligence unit did a lot of surveillance, making it difficult for unlawful infiltration of anything.
“Here, we do not joke with examination.
“Apart from the statutory documentation we do at the port, we also introduced a Certificate of Examination system to identify officers who have examined a consignment.
“An officer will fill all his information on the certificate to show that he undertook an examination and he will indicate if he saw any discrepancy during the exercise.
“They get constant reminders on the need for 100 per cent check and with our efforts and determination, no arms and ammunition will go through this port,” Edike said.
On the progress of the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), Edike said the command had recorded success, especially in April when it recorded high revenue.
“We generated an unprecedented N29.3 billion revenue in April alone, compared to the previous N19 billion in the same period in 2013.
“This is because a number of the agents have been coming to perfect their PAAR.
“They (agents) have also affirmed that PAAR means well for trade development.
“We seize this opportunity to appeal to importers on the need for sincere declaration to avoid delays,’’ the comptroller said.
Also speaking, Mr Malanta Yusuf, the Deputy Comptroller in charge of the Automated System of Customs Data (ASYCUDA), said efforts of the Central Processing Unit (CPU) had helped to make PAAR processing easier.
“We look at the declarations and do the profiling.
“Efficiency of the system is very key for fast-tracking right from here and the result is reflective in the overall service provision of the service,’’ Yusuf said.
Our correspondent reports that some agents confirmed that there has been an improvement in the PAAR regime since December 2013.
President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Mr Eugene Nweke, said the PAAR regime was able to address the local trade needs because it was a home-grown platform.
He also said that the PAAR system had been able to check corruption considerably.
“PAAR is customs’ design of a single window system and it has been able to address the issue of corruption,” Nweke said.
On his part, Coordinator, Western Zone of the Association of Nigerian Licenced Customs Agents (ANLCA), Mr John Oforbike, said PAAR had made it possible for agents to access useful information.
Oforbike said that the initial challenges that arose with the newly-introduced system had gradually phased out.
He urged all agents to take advantage of the information available on the trade hub site.
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.