Maritime
Nigeria will phase out rickety vessels soon – NIMASA
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has unfolded plans to phase out old and rickety vessels from the nation’s waterways.
Director General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, stated this during a visit of the Minister of Transportation, Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, to the NIMASA head office in Lagos.
He said agency was helping to create a robust maritime sector through obtaining approval for physical and monetary incentives for ship owners to purchase brand new vessels at zero duty, while also assisting them get foreign exchange at the Central Bank of Nigeria rate.
Sambo commended the management of NIMASA for its capacity development initiative in the Nigerian maritime sector.
He applauded the agency for remaining focused in the delivery of its mandate, noting that the Agency has a better image than what it was ten years ago.
Sambo visited alongside the Minister of State, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, and the Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani.
He said, “NIMASA of today have come a long way from the NIMASA I knew ten years ago. I commend the entire Management and Staff of the Agency for raising the bar, it is a symbol of team work. I am impressed with the customer experience center and your efforts to attract young Nigerian into the maritime sector via various capacity development projects including the essay competition for secondary school students.”
Commenting on the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), the minister reiterated the commitment of the industry to work with the agency in ensuring it is disbursed to deserving beneficiaries, adding that it will further boost shipping activities in the country’s maritime sector.
“If there is a jinx about the CVFF, I am going to break it by getting it disbursed to deserving Nigerians. If these funds are disbursed, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and the Federal Ministry of Transportation will take credit, while it remains a legacy in your administration,” the minister said.
Sambo called for more synergy between NIMASA and other parastatals under the supervision of the ministry, in addition to the Nigerian Navy and members of the Nigerian Armed forces towards ensuring the success of the Deep Blue Project is a success.
Jamoh thanked the minister for his dynamic leadership in steering the affairs of the ministry, while also assuring that the Agency remains committed to actualizing its mandate as stipulated in the four enabling Acts of the National assembly for a robust and attractive maritime sector in Nigeria.
The NIMASA DG informed the minister that under the Deep Blue Project, 600 Special Forces from the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Department of State Security, among others are undergoing training for special skills to ensure effective implementation of the Project. The intent is to ensure that the nation’s waterways remain safe from all forms of criminalities.
Jamoh also informed the minister that under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) scheme, over 2,000 Nigerians had undergone training, out of which about 800 are actively engaged in various ships, with a huge number of them working on the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) ships.
He added that NIMASA was developing a National Ship Building and Infrastructure Development Strategy, aimed at bridging the gap of capacity building for trained seafarers.
The minister also undertook a tour of the NIMASA Maritime Stakeholders Experience Contact Centre, MSECC.
The 24-hour centre serves as a platform for both internal and external stakeholders to resolve any issue within the stipulated 24 hours.
Maritime
Tinubu appoints Dantsoho as new NPA MD, Adeyeye board chairman
Tinubu appoints Dantsoho as new NPA MD, Adeyeye board chairman
Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Mohammed Bello-Koko has been removed and replaced with Abubakar Dantsoho on orders of President Bola Tinubu.
Bello-Koko was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2021 as acting MD and his appointment was confirmed in February 2022.
The tenure of NPA MD is five years.
In a statement on Friday, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said Tinubu also appointed Adedayo Adeyeye, a former senator, as chairman of the NPA board.
Speaking on Dantsoho’s appointment, Ngelale said the new NPA MD holds “a doctoral degree in Maritime Technology from Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, and a Master’s degree in International Transport from Cardiff University of Wales, United Kingdom”.
“Before his appointment, he had served in various roles in the Nigerian Ports Authority as Assistant General Manager; Technical Assistant to the Managing Director; Port Manager, Onne Port; and Principal Manager, Tariff & Billing,” the spokesperson said.
Ngelale described Adeyeye as a seasoned lawyer, journalist and politician.
“He is a former Minister of State for Works and former senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District,” he said.
Ngelale said Tinubu expects NPA’s new leadership to deploy excellence in the discharge of their duties to enable efficient port services and improved industry outcomes.
Business
Customs adopted 28 exchange rates to clear goods in Q1 – CG
Customs adopted 28 exchange rates to clear goods in Q1 – CG
The Nigeria Customs Service says it adopted 28 different foreign exchange rates in the clearance of imported goods at the ports based on the directive of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this at a press briefing, where he said the agency also generated a total of N1.3 trillion during the period.
The fluctuations and frequent Forex exchange rates, he said, sent negative signals and disrupted activities at the ports.
He said, “In the last quarter, a total of 28 rates were directed by the CBN, ranging from N951.94 per $1 in January 2024 to a peak of N1,662.35 per $1 in February 2024.
“While a singular exchange rate of N951.94 per $1 was maintained in January, February witnessed 15 different spot rates ranging from N951.94 per $1 to N1,662.35 per $1.
“March saw a total of 13 different spot rates applied, ranging from N1,303.84 to N1,630.16. These fluctuations resulted in an average applied exchange rate of N1,314.03 per $1 in the clearance of Customs goods during the quarter.
“The repercussions of these fluctuating rates have sent concerning signals to our stakeholders, affecting and disrupting activities.”
Adeniyi also said a total of N1.3 trillion was generated in revenue by the Customs Service in the first quarter of 2024.
The CG added that over 572 seizures were made with a duty-paid value of N10bn.
He said, “The collection for the first quarter represents a substantial increase of 122.35% compared to the same period last year, where N606,119,935,146.67.
“When compared to the Federal Government’s annual revenue target of N5.07 trillion for the NCS to collect in 2024, the target translates to a monthly revenue target of N423 billion.”
The CG also said a total of N1.6 billion was earned through its electronic auction platform launched in the first quarter of the year.
Maritime
Tinubu names ex-LAMATA boss as new NIMASA DG
Tinubu names ex-LAMATA boss as new NIMASA DG
President Bola Tinubu has named Dr Dayo Mobereola as the director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
This came after the exit of Dr Bashir Jamoh, whose tenure recently expired.
The announcement is contained in a statement issued Tuesday night by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity.
The statement said, “Dr Mobereola holds a Ph.D, and an M.Sc in Transport Economics from the University of Wales, United Kingdom. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport, England, and a fellow of the same institute in Nigeria.”
“He was the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) from 2003 to 2015 and was also the Commissioner for Transportation in Lagos State from 2015 to 2016.
“In the private sector, he was Deputy Managing Director and Project Development Director at AFM Consulting Plc, London. He was also Senior Economist at British Petroleum Shipping Limited, London.”
The special adviser said Tinubu expects Mobereola to bring his vast experience to bear in his new role under the leadership of Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of marine and blue economy.
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