CRFFN grants 3 other assocs full accreditation

With controversy trailing the accreditation status given to a number of freight forwarding associations by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), the body on Monday gave full accreditation status to three other associations.

The associations, which were given the full accreditation status at the CRFFN Governing Council 18th Extra-ordinary meeting, are Association of Registered Freight Forwarders, Nigeria (AREFFN), Nigerian Association of Air Freight Forwarders and Consolidators (NAFFAC) and the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA).

This brings the number of the associations accredited by the CRFFN to five.

It would be recalled that at the induction ceremony held by CRFFN early this year at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, 1,435 individual freight forwarders, 405 corportae bodies and two associations, which included the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), were inducted.

Customs redeploys Compts

The management of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has redeployed 27 Comptrollers in a move aimed at accommodating a number of Deputy Comptrollers newly-promoted as substantive Comptrollers.

In a shake-up, Comptroller Isa Nuhu has been redeployed from his position as Customs Area Controller (CAC), Tin-can Island Port Area Command, Lagos, to the Human Resources Department, Cu8stoms Headquarters, Abuja.

Comptroller Willy Egbudin was moved from his position as CAC, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Area Command, Lagos, to CAC Lilypond Area Command Lagos.

Comptroller Ralph Obiora Bellu, was transferred to Zone ‘B’ Headquarters, kadunna, from his position as CAC, Lilypond.

Comptroller O.I moved from the Human Resources Department, taking over from Egbudin as CAC, KLT.

Newly promoted Comptroller A. B. Legg-Jack, A.S. Othman, and Z. A. Jibrin, respectively have been appointed CACs at Cross River / Akwa – Ibom, Seme Border and PTML commands.

Set defined standards for freight forwarders, former ANLCA boss, Elochukwu, tells CRFFN  

Former National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Sir Ernest Elochukwu, has charged the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) to set defined standards for freight forwarding practitioners to operate with.

Elochukwu, while addressing journalists at ANLCA National Headquarters, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, said that, until the freight forwarding regulatory body establishes ports operations standards which will ensure compliance of freight forwarding practitioners to best trade practices, there will always be friction between freight forwarders and government agencies in the course of cargo clearance from the nation’s ports.

“The average worker or employee of a government agency working at the port goes around with the mentality of being a government man who nobody can dictate to how he should do his job. You see we are not operating standards, part of what has given rise to all the agitations both of the associations and even the Council, is such that with must operate with standards. The essence of the Council, or our working to have the Council on board, is to first start with us, as practitioners, standards we must maintain and to ensure that anybody that infringes of these standards will get sanctioned. Thereafter, we can now approach the government agencies to say that now our members are complying with the international best practices standards we are insisting that the agencies of government must comply, because it takes two to tango, ” Elochukwu stated.

He stressed that the high level of corruption in the nation’s ports is caused by the institutional failings of government agencies, noting that “there is manifest of negligence, of collusion on the part of those who are supposed to be doing the right thing.”

Beninoise Customs chief visits Nigerian counterpart over border security

The two-day working visit of the Beninoise Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Theophile Soussia, ended with a tour of the Customs College at Gwagwalada in Abuja.

The Benin Customs boss had visited the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Alhaji Dikko Inde Abdulahi, at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja where he commended the Service for its leading role in ensuring the success of the Customs conference held last March in Cotonou, the Beninoise capital.

According to the Service Deputy Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Joseph Attah, Soussia's visit aims at improving security at the Nigeria - Benin border stations.

Attah said that both Customs chiefs pledged their commitment towards tackling illegal trade in small arms and light weapons across the borders stations.

In his words: "Both Comptrollers discussed further collaboration and also looked at ways in which our border stations will be safer."

Capacity building will enable Nigeria tap maritime potentials, says NIMASA boss, Akpobolokemi 

  Capacity building will enable Nigeria harness the potentials in the maritime industry, according to the Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety (NIMASA), Mr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi.

Akpobolokemi, who stated this when he met with the management of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), alongside other NIMASA officials, over the establishment of an Institute for Maritime Studies at the university, lamented that the country has been unable to tap the opportunities in the nation’s maritime industry due to inadequate trained personnel.

He noted that the country’s maritime industry is presently dominated by foreign interests due to inadequate indigenous personnel.

The NIMASA boss added that not until Nigeria trains her own people to take up the trade, the country will not benefit from the gains of the industry as it will result in capital flight from the nation.

“We should be able to train our younger ones to take over the challenges in the maritime industry. We cannot allow non-Nigerians to take over this industry completely and off course we also know that in the area of employment generation because the maritime sector is a good avenue to start from and for you to get the needed manpower you must train them by building capacity first.

“Shipping is like the hub uniting the entire maritime world right now apart from information communication technology but if you do not build capacity, it means that the opportunities that abound in the maritime sector will never be tapped and even when tapped we may not benefit because we do not have the capacities,” Akpobolokemi said.

On why UNILAG was selected as site for the establishment of one of the Institutes of Maritime Studies to be sited across the country, Akpobolokem said that it was as a result of the university's contribution to national growth and development, availability of manpower and its close location to the waterfront.

The NIMASA boss equally disclosed that the Agency will fund the various institutes, which will be established in UNILAG; Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University, Niger State; University of Nigeria (UNN) Nsukka, Enugu State; and Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, for the next five years before the various universities will take over to the funding.

Akpobolokemi urged the UNILAG management to come up with a robust curriculum that will attract foreign interests.

Responding, Acting Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Rahamoni Ade-Bello, said that the visit of the NIMASA boss is a promise kept, noting that Akpobolokemi had earlier promised to make the fund available for the establishment of the institute as soon as the National Assembly approves the budget of the agency.

Ade-Bello assured Akpobolokemi that UNILAG will support NIMASA to ensure that the project becomes a reality, noting that the institution will build upon the long existing relationship between both organisations.

The don added that that establishment of the Institute of Maritime Studies will further solidify the relationship between the duo.

NPA intensifies war on HIV/AIDS at Lagos ports 

In a bid to reduce the spread of the Human Immuno Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) pandemic, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) HIV/AIDS Enlightenment and Sensitisation Standing Committee embarked on a week-long campaign  against the scourge at both the Lagos and Tin-Can Island ports complexes simultaneously.

The Chairperson of the NPA AIDS Enlightenment and Sensitisation Standing Committee, Dr. Comfort Datong, explained that the campaign is to educate port users, which include truck drivers, their assistants commercial and, as well as Customs agents on the dangers of the virus and precautions.

According to Datong, the campaign is a World Bank project, which the NPA is holding with the Abijan-Lagos Corridor Trade and Transport Facilitation Project.

She noted that the project is also being carried out by other port administrations in West Africa.

Datong said that the campaign, which is a quarterly project, includes counselling, distribution male and female condoms, adding that truck drivers and their assistants are very vulnerable to the virus due to the harsh environment which they the operate under.

She disclosed that the project which started in 2011 will last for the next five, noting that peer educators will be raised within the period.

Also speaking, Leader of the Peer Educators and Vice Chairman of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Tin-Can Island Port Unit, Alhaji Ibrahim Ajao, said that the initiative by the NPA and the Abijan-Lagos Corridor Trade and Transport Facilitation Project has broadened their knowledge on the pandemic.

Ajao said that truck drivers, particularly members of his association, are now better informed on how to prevent and live with the pandemic.

CRFFN dangles hammer over 'fake' freight forwarders 

         Determined to execute its mandate, the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) says: “Only the registered and inducted freight forwarders as well as accredited associations of freight forwarders are allowed to practice forth-with or else the hand of the law will grip and prosecute offenders.”

The CRFFN Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Forwarder Mike Jukwe, stated this during the passing-out ceremony of CRFFN’s first batch of Western Zonal Enforcement Officers  in Lagos.

According to Jukwe, the inauguration of the enforcement officers is in line with the act setting up the CRFFN, which charged it with the responsibilities to regulate and control the practice of freight forwarding in Nigeria with a view to promoting highest standards of competence and best practices.

The enforcement officers, which Jukwe said, will soon be deployed to the western ports to arrest unregistered freight forwarders had a one week practical and theoretical intensive training on basic and rudimentary foot drills, physical education, characteristics and functions of an enforcement officer, arrest and investigation, use of tools, equipment for enforcement, self-defense mechanism, amongst others.

“The Directorate of Registration and Enforcement (R & C) attached great importance to this Beginners Course by employing the respected principles of the Special Investigation Bureau of the Nigerian Army, taking cognizance of the peculiarity of the terrain of the ports environment,” Jukwe said.

Also speaking, Chairman of the CRFFN, Forwarder Hakeem Olanrewaju, said that the enforcement officers will work with the Registration Committee to ensure that practicing freight forwarders, who are not registered with the council, are arrested and prosecuted.

Olanrewaju said that at the maiden induction held early this year, 1,435 individuals, 405 corporate bodies and two associations were inducted.

The occasion was attended by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Capt. Adamu Biu; National Presidents of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN), Prince Olayiwola Shittu, Mr. Eugene Nweke and Dr. Frank Ukor, respectively.

Sifaxs staff, others shower encomiums on outgoing GMD,  Deruyver

Encomiums poured forth from the staff of the Sifax Group and a number of guests that gathered at the Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos, to bid the former Group Managing Director, Capt. Luc Deruyver, farewell,. following his exit from the organisation after five years service.  Deruyver has over 35 years cognate experience in shipping and maritime business, which has taken him to three continents of the world namely Asia, Europe, and Africa. L-R: Representative of the Honourary Counsel of the Republic Of Djibouti and General Secretary, Dr. Fola Rogers; outgoing Group Managing Director, Sifax Group, Capt. Luc Deruyver; and Executive Director, Group Services, Sifax Group, Mr. Isaac Orolugbagbe, at the send off ceremony for Deruyver.  His colleagues, who came to bid him farewell, unanimously spoke of him as a professional to the core, a humble and disciplined leader, who takes it upon himself to see that everybody succeeds in their various assigned responsibilities.  The Executive Director, Group Services,  Sifax, Mr. Isaac Orolugbagbe, said that Deruyver has left indelible mark behind and that the legacy will be sustained.  Deruyver, according to Orolugbagbe, whenever one went to him with any proposal, will give 100 percent support.   "I'm very happy to have had a listening boss like Capt. Luc,’’ Orolugbagbe said.  He said Luc's five-year tenure in the Sifax Group has seen tremendous improvement in the organisation, thanking him for his contributions.  A representative of the Ecobank, Mr Anjorin, described Deruyver as a professional at his job, as well as being a highly demanding customer who will always want you to show evidence of completion.  In his own contribution, the President of the Maritime Reporters' Association of Nigeria (MARAN), Mr Bolaji Akinola, said that the association has a linkage with Sifax Goup, as the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, is also the Patron of MARAN.  Akinola said that Sifax has grown to become a formidable player in the maritime industry.  According to him, Captain Luc has provided exemplary leadership while in the saddle. Going down memory lane, Akinola said Captain Luc was the first stakeholder to present the first maritime cup to the Nigerian Navy team which defeated the Sifax team about five years ago.  Responding, Deruyver said that the tremendous achievements being recorded in the Sifax Group today owed to unity and cooperation within.  He said that  these achievements could not have been possible if there was no cooperation.  He said that he already  has employment offers in some companies within and outside Nigeria.

Jonathan commissions Onitsha Port

... Says facility will enhance economic activities 

As he commissioned the Onitsha River Port in Anambra State, President Goodluck Jonathan says  it would enhance economic activities in the country.

The development of the port, according to him, is hinged on the need to open up the country’s waterways to make trade and commerce easier, as well as reduce the burden on the road network.

He reiterated his administration’s plan to give some fillip to rail and water transport, urging the private sector to collaborate with the government to create jobs.  

Jonathan lauded the government and people of Anambra for completing the port.

The President pledged that his administration would not relent in its effort to deliver on its campaign promises.

He praised the prevailing peace in the South East, describing it as second to none in the country.

Also speaking, the Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, said that the port, which cost N4.6 billion, was one of the numerous ports the Federal Government was building.  

Umar said that three inland water ports in Baro, Niger State; Oguta, Imo State; and Yamata, Kogi State, would soon be completed and inaugurated.

He thanked the President and the Anambra governor, Mr.Peter Obi, for supporting his ministry in developing water transport.  

In his own address, Senate President David Mark promised to work harmoniously with the executive arm of government to develop the nation’s economy.

Mark, who was represented by Sen. Zainab Kure, urged synergy among the ministries to ensure quality budgeting, adding that the government would soon set up a board on deep sea water.  

Mark expressed the hope that the Baro Port would be inaugurated in the next 12 months.

Obi, who described Onitsha as the biggest commercial city in Africa, said that the inauguration of the port would make the movement of goods more efficient.
  The Onitsha River Port Complex was rehabilitated by the Federal Government through the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) at the cost of N4 billion.

Funded by the Federal Government, the refurbishment was overseen by NIWA.

The commissioning of the Onitsha River Port Complex today follows its extensive overhaul with new facilities, offices, warehouses and cargo handling equipment.

The reconditioned river port complex is expected to boost and complement the newly-dredged Lower River Niger.

Already, barges and other vessels moving on the dredged channel of the River Niger are using the port to load and discharge cargoes such as tiles, steel and petroleum products.

It is expected that, as the complex goes into full operation following the commissioning, businesses in the commercial hub of Onitsha, and environs, would lead to the optimal utilisation of the resulting synergy between the dredged River Niger and the port.

Before the overhaul, which was handled by Inter-Bau Construction Limited, the port had suffered years of neglect, underutilisation and disrepair.

The Shehu Shagari Administration commissioned the Onitsha River Port in 1983, but it was never really completed.

Thereafter, it slipped into a state of underutilisation and disrepair, forcing operators of ferries and other trading vessels to abandon it.

 

NSC boss, Biu, raises alarm, says: 'Nigerian maritime industry is dying'

 

The "Nigerian maritime industry is dying," according to the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Capt. Adamu Biu.

The foremost master mariner delivered this sad news on the sidelines of the passing-out ceremony of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) first batch of western zonal enforcement officers in Lagos on Monday, said that the industry is dying due to lack of training.

Biu warned that if the trend continues, the industry will die with the already aged practitioners.

He lamented that the industry has since jettisoned the training of young professionals to take over from those currently piloting affairs.  

The NSC boss urged government and stakeholders to evolve a sustainable training system that will enhance the continuous availability of manpower.

“The Nigerian maritime industry is dying due to lack of training and we must check this trend. One way of checking this trend is what we have done today with the training of these enforcement officers. I appeal on behalf of all stakeholders, please let us try to train so that we can see people that will take the baton from our hands because this will bring the past glory of the industry,” Biu said.

NIM awards NPA image maker, Ajayi, Fellow

The General Manager, Public Affairs of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), High Chief Michael Kayode Ajayi, has honoured by the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) with its highest award of Fellow.

Ajayi was among other notable persons honoured by the NIM at its Fellows, Awards & Spouses' Day Luncheonheld in the Shell Hall of MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

NIM President, Chief Michael Olawale-Cole, said that Ajayi and others were honoured because they have upheld high standards and ethics of management in their various fields. 

 

 General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Micheal Ajayi (second left), receives his certificate of investiture as Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) from the President and Chairman-in-Council, NIM, Chief Michael Olawale-Cole, at NIM Fellows, Awards & Spouses' Day Luncheon held at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

 

"Today's event is a continuation of a tradition which started in February 1963 when the first three Fellows of the institute were inducted. Having been considered and found worthy for this award out of the lot that was considered for it is an honour on its own. This is because the Institute guards its Fellowship jealously and this would probably be the reason why it is having only 600 Fellows after 50 years of existence out of total individual membership strength of about 160,000," Olawale-Cole stated.

A holder of three traditional titles, Ajayi attended the University of Calabar, Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Ibadan where he bagged B.A. (Combined Honours) in Political Science and Philosophy; and MSc in Public Administration.

A prolific writer, Ajayi has served in various capacities at NPA holding notable positions including General Manager Administration before his posting to head the Public Affairs unit in 2010.

He is the Chief Patron of Lagos Referees Association.

 

SGS deploys hi-tech gantry scanners at Rivers ports

Destination inspection (DI) service provider, SGS Scanning Nigeria Limited, is giving fillip to the Federal Government’s 48-hour target for the clearance of the nation’s imports with the introduction of two hi-tech gantry scanners at the Onne and Port-Harcourt ports, both in Rivers State.

The equipment are to be officially commissioned on September 6, 2012.

The gantry scanners, according to the company’s Managing Director, Mr. Nigel Balchin, are not just new but also improved and represent the most up-to-date technology that will compliment current efforts at reducing the cost of doing business at the ports.

Balchin explained that gantry scanners were not available in 2005 when SGS entered into contract with the Federal Government as a service provider under the DI regime.

 He said that, however, in line with his company’s quality service culture, it sought government’s permission to deploy the technology which experts say is more productive and cost effective than the traditional fixed cargo scanners, noting that two gantry scanners have been provided for the cost of one fixed scanner.

Balchin: “The two scanners installed by the company at the Onne and Port-Harcourt ports are able to scan around 34 trucks per hour, as compared with 16 trucks for a fixed scanner.

 “The gantry scanner has a double tunnel; therefore two trucks can be scanned simultaneously. Its image quality is on par with a fixed scanner. The trucks remain stationary during scanning (the scanner moves on rails) unlike a fixed scanner where the truck is pulled through the scanner on a conveyor that’s more vulnerable to maintenance issues. The scanner is mounted above ground unlike a fixed scanner where one of the detectors is four metres underground.  In addition, a relocatable gantry scanner can be re-deployed to an alternative site, in a relatively short time, in case of any expansion or new development.

“The introduction of the gantry scanners will no doubt impact positively on the economy of States in the South-East and South-South regions of the country. It will equally enhance the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service, notably in the areas of trade facilitation and revenue collection. The scanner’s ability to scan around 34 containers/trucks per hour makes the attainment of the 48 hours clearance target achievable, as more shipments can be handled within every given period. For the ‘garden city’ and its environs, the commencement of scanning operations at the Port Harcourt main port will check the importation of harmful and dangerous goods.”      

Meanwhile, the SGS scanner site at the Port-Harcourt Port, within a two-week period, scanned over 2,000 trucks loaded with fish, as the company staff and officers of the Port Harcourt Area 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) test-run the facility.

SGS Scanning Nigeria Limited is one of the service providers contracted by the Federal Government to assist the NCS facilitate trade through risk management and use of non-intrusive inspection (x-ray cargo scanning) of imports routed through the nation’s air and sea ports as well as approved borders.

SGS operates under Lot 11 of the D.I. regime. This covers Onne Port Complex (Federal Ocean Terminal/Federal Lighter Terminal), Port-Harcourt Port and Port-Harcourt International Airport, Idi-Iroko Border Post and Ilorin International Airport.

Since 2006, NCS Officers assigned to the company’s scanner sites received classroom and on-the-job training in image analysis, scanner operation and maintenance.

 Also NCS officers have been provided classroom on-the-job training in customs valuation, classification and risk management.

The company is currently training eighty customs officers as part of the smooth transfer of its activities under the DI scheme to the NCS by the end of this year.

In total, over 700 NCS officers have been trained since 2006.

SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA (SGS), a global leader in inspection, verification, testing and certification services, operates over 1350 offices and laboratories worldwide.

 In addition to the destination inspection services being carried-out by SGS in Nigeria, SGS is currently providing cargo scanning services in Bahrain, Cameroon, Haiti, Madagascar, Uruguay and has completed provision of scanning services in Gambia, Kosovo and Mexico.