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MARITIME MATTERS Maritime Matters is the revolution in maritime reportage. The Revolution in Maritime Reportage has begun.

MARITIME MATTERS is the online newspaper that brings real-time and very useful news and other information about the maritime industry. In a most engaging manner, MARITIME MATTERS focuses on the dynamics and perspectives of the in the maritime industry, keeping you adequately informed about this major artery of the global economy. Keyed into the specific interests of its readers, MARITIME MATTERS o

ffers an attractive platform for the business community to make its products and services visible to the large and ever-growing Internet audience. The rich offerings that make MARITIME MATTERS a must-read, include: news, features, commentary, interview, and pictures. Be on www.maritimematters.com.ng, and be part of The Revolution in Maritime Reportage.

21/11/2022

WEIGHTY WORDS

"Those who tell you that South East is landlocked do not see how wide and deep River Niger and Imo River are. The Port of Hamburg which is the 15th busiest port in the world and the busiest in Germany is along the Elbe River which is not as wide as the Imo River or Niger River. Google is your friend. They tell you that these rivers pass through other states to get to the ocean. But if Nigeria breaks up, those rivers will be bound by international water treaties or might be decided through other unconventional means. If you go to St. Petersburg in Russia, you notice several motorised bridges that open at night for cargo ships to pass and close in the day for vehicles. While the biggest vessel to ever berth in Nigeria is 10,000 TEU, the Elbe River carries vessels above 24,000 TEUs."
• Dr Dennis U. Ekumankama is a holder of the Nigerian National Honours Award of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR).

01/09/2022

NEWS

CSR: NIMASA donates medical equipment to Asokoro District Hospital .. Sets to gift other Abuja hospitals

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has donated medical equipment to some hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Presenting the items, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, who was represented by the Director, Special Duties, Mr. Isichei Osamgbi, explained that the donation was part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme.
Jamoh said that the presentation to Asokoro District Hospital was symbolic and that other hospitals within the FCT were also billed to benefit from the donation.
He explained that the gesture was to support the Federal Government and other stakeholders in improving service delivery in the health care sector in Nigeria.
Responding, the Executive Secretary of the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Alhaji Abbass Idriss; and the Medical Director of Asokoro District Hospital expressed deep appreciation for the kind gesture emphasising that the items would go a long way towards improving health care delivery in the FCT.
NIMASA has so far donated hospital equipment, educational materials, security intervention items and relief materials to states across the Federation as part of its 2022 CSR Programme.

01/09/2022

FIGURES

Kebbi Area Command, Nigeria Customs seizes 11,950 litres of petrol

The anti-smuggling operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kebbi Area Command, recently seized 478 units of 25-litre Jerrycans, totalling 11,950 litres, of petrol.
The consignment reportedly was intended to be smuggled out of the country through Yauri waterway on Thursday, August 11, 2022.

01/09/2022

NEWS

NIGERIA CUSTOMS: Kebbi Area Command seizes 11,950 litres of petrol, other contraband from smugglers

The relentless efforts of the anti-smuggling operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kebbi Area Command is yielding huge dividends in the seizure of petrol motor spirit (PMS), commonly referred to as petrol, as well as rice, second-hand clothes, and other items from smugglers.
Petroleum smugglers are particularly having it tough as the Command's Anti-Bunkering Squad recently seized 478 units of 25-litre Jerrycans, totalling 11,950 litres, of petrol.
It was gathered that the consignment was intended to be smuggled out of the country through Yauri waterway on Thursday, August 11, 2022.
It was learnt that operatives of the Command's Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) had monitored the movement of the PMS-laden Jerrycans to a spot near the waterway for some days before the deployment of the Anti-Bunkering Squad, which subsequently struck and intercepted the 11,950 litres of PMS and evacuated the product to the Command's Headquarters in Birnin Kebbi. the state capital.
Commenting on the development, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Kebbi Area Command, Comptroller Joseph Attah, lauded the fruitful collaboration of relevant units under the Command, stressing the need for security agencies to share information, work together and achieve result in the interest of the nation.
"Together we are stronger," Attah said.
He further restated the Command's resolve to strictly monitor all the waterways within its territory, especially this rainy season, to counter the smuggling of PMS, rice, second-hand clothes and other items that could compromise national security and economy.
The CAC appealed to border communities to give relevant information that can help curtail smuggling activities in Kebbi State.
Command Public Relations Officer Nasiru Manga explained that the renewed offensive on smugglers has seen the Command making a number of seizures of PMS, second-hand clothes, used vehicle, and foreign fertilizers, among others, within a two-week period.

18/08/2022

NEWS

ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE: Nigeria Customs, WJC collaboration net over 397kg contraband pangolin scales, 8 suspects

Collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) has led to the interception of an estimated 397.5 kilogrammes of contraband pangolin scales and the arrest of eight suspects in connection with the seizure.
The WJC is an international body which works to disrupt and dismantle illegal wildlife trade networks.
The arrested suspects included three persons reportedly identified as Vietnamese nationals.
"They were involved in the attempted trafficking of large amounts of pangolin scales and ivories through Nigeria," the NCS Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Timi Bomodi, explained in a press release, a copy of which was emailed to MARITIME MATTERS.
The NCS spokesperson stated: "Preliminary investigation revealed three Vietnamese nationals as high-ranking members of major organised crime group involved in the trafficking of ivory, pangolin scales, rhino horns and lion bones Mozambique and South Africa through Nigeria to Vietnam. The three suspects were arrested while sourcing for pangolin scales in Nigeria, 397.5 kilogrammes of which were found in their possession."
Bomodi went on: "These arrests came as part of proactive enforcement operation targeting the top echelon of wildlife traffickers worldwide, and are assessed to have caused unprecedented disruptions to organised global wildlife trafficking network.
"This is the fourth major illegal wildlife arrest in one year resulting from the strategic partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service, Wildlife Justice Commission and other foreign governments. It demonstrates the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service as a formidable ally in the fight against wildlife trafficking.
"Initial crackdown in 2021 had resulted in discoveries of 7.1 tons of pangolin scales and 850 kilogrammes of ivory, all of which were seized by the NCS.
"The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), while commending officers of the Service for their efforts in breaking the chain of illegal wildlife trade and unlawful deforestation and tree felling activities, assured the public that the Service will leave no stone unturned in the efforts to support the rest of the world in protecting endangered species and prevent deforestation."
Bomodi quoted Ali as having stated thus: " 'Nigeria Customs Service would never allow perpetrators of these crimes to profit from or escape the wrath of the law.'
"It will be recalled that in 2021 the Comptroller-General of Customs at a media briefing in Lagos showcased a seizure of pangolin scales and elephant tusks worth 22.6 billion Naira.
"This achievement was widely acknowledged as a major boost to the fight against the extinction of endangered wildlife species in Nigeria.
"It is pertinent to conclude that Nigeria will continue to enforce Schedule Six of the Common External Tariff which identified endangered species as absolute prohibition for export. As a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of fauna and flora (CITES), the Service will not relent in its enforcement responsibilities by suppressing to the barest minimum the unsustainable and unethical exploitation of the nation's fragile ecosystem and its biodiversity."

17/08/2022

WEIGHTY WORDS

"The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service has been drawn to news reports where the Director-General/Chief Executive of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mallam Farouk Salim, was attributed to have flayed Customs over the smuggling of fake and substandard goods out of the nation's seaports. In the statement, he was credited to have accused the Service of being responsible for revenue losses , the preponderance of fake and substandard products, and alluded that officials of SON were routinely excluded from joint examinations by officers of the NCS. We want to state that the allegations are untrue. The Nigeria Customs Service fully cognizant that strategic cooperation among security and regulatory agencies lies at the heart of national security willfully works in tandem with other security and regulatory agencies including SON to achieve national goals.Under the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System II (NICIS II), SON and other regulatory agencies of government are linked directly and frequently make inputs in reference to items of significance to their operations. At no time has (the) NCS refused to oblige them with any request. Indeed, the Nigeria Customs Service, even without intervention from SON, on its own directs suspicious items bordering on brand and intellectual property rights infringement to them ... There exists open channels of communication between officials of SON and NCS Area Commands should the need arise for clarifications or interventions. Therefore, this statement ascribed to the DG creates a totally false narrative and is viewed as an attempt to portray the NCS in negative light. It is questionable, raises serious concerns and calls for scrutiny by discerning members of the public. It is also self-condemning, regrettable and exposes SON as being incapable of living up to its mandate. If after issuing certificates, participating in examinations, taking samples for further investigations and authorising release to the NCS, substandard goods find their way into the open market the DG SON should look inwards." - Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Timi Bomodi, in a press statement ... recently.

17/08/2022

NEWS

Nigeria Customs denies smuggling fake, substandard goods out of seaports

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has stridently denied accusations of aiding and abetting the illegal exit of fake and substandard goods from Nigerian ports into the nation's markets.
In a press statement, a copy of which was emailed to MARITIME MATTERS, the NCS Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Timi Bomodi, stated: "The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service has been drawn to news reports where the Director-General/Chief Executive of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mallam Farouk Salim, was attributed to have flayed Customs over the smuggling of fake and substandard goods out of the nation's seaports.
"In the statement, he was credited to have accused the Service of being responsible for revenue losses, the preponderance of fake and substandard products, and alluded that officials of SON were routinely excluded from joint examinations by officers of the NCS.
"We want to state that the allegations are untrue. The Nigeria Customs Service fully cognizant that strategic cooperation among security and regulatory agencies lies at the heart of national security willfully works in tandem with other security and regulatory agencies including SON to achieve national goals.
"Under the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System II (NICIS II), SON and other regulatory agencies of government are linked directly and frequently make inputs in reference to items of significance to their operations. At no time has the NCS refused to oblige them with any request. Indeed, the Nigeria Customs Service, even without intervention from SON, on its own directs suspicious items bordering on brand and intellectual property rights infringement to them."
Bomodi noted that the "redacted documents" accompanying the NCS press statement "buttress the fact that SON has access to our systems, are informed and fully participate in examinations and even go as far as collect product examples where necessary during examinations for their investigations."
According to him, the involvement of SON at the ports and borders even during examinations is also reflected in the field inspection process chart on the SON official website.
The NCS spokesperson stated further: "There exists open channels of communication between officials of SON and NCS Area Commands should the need arise for clarifications or interventions. Therefore, this statement ascribed to the DG creates a totally false narrative and is viewed as an attempt to portray the NCS in negative light. It is questionable, raises serious concerns and calls for scrutiny by discerning members of the public. It is also self-condemning, regrettable and exposes SON as being incapable of living up to its mandate. If after issuing certificates, participating in examinations, taking samples for further investigations and authorising release to the NCS, substandard goods find their way into the open market the DG SON should look inwards.
"While success is said to breed opposition, the success of the NCS is not achieved by tarnishing the image of another agency just to look good or score cheap points. Our nation at this time needs every security and regulatory agency to trust and work as a team for our socio-economic wellbeing. We urge the DG SON and his agency not to be self-seeking, leave the path of rivalry and collaborate towards achieving national interest."

17/08/2022

WEIGHTY WORDS

"While success is said to breed opposition, the success of the NCS is not achieved by tarnishing the image of another agency just to look good or score cheap points. Our nation at this time needs every security and regulatory agency to trust and work as a team for our socio-economic wellbeing. We urge the DG SON and his agency not to be self-seeking, leave the path of rivalry and collaborate towards achieving national interest." - The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller Timi Bomodi, in a press statement ... recently.

15/08/2022

WEIGHTY WORDS

"We remain dedicated to ensuring staff welfare is at the forefront in order to encourage the hard work and dedication that our staff are known for is maintained and built upon going forward. Suffice to say that the promotional exercise was rigorous to ensure our high standards are maintained." - The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, on the elevation of 472 staff, the third promotion exercise under his administration since he assumed office in March 2020 ... recently.

15/08/2022

NEWS

NIMASA Board appoints 3 new directors, promotes 469 personnel
• DG preaches rededication to Agency's core mandates, values

The Governing Board of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has approved the appointment of three new Directors, Mr. Otonye Obom, Captain Umoren Sunday Michael, and Mr. Kazir Abubakar Musa.
Announcing the appointment of the trio in a press release, a copy of which was emailed to MARITIME MATTERS, the Assistant Director, Public Relations of NIMASA, Mr. Edward Osagie, stated that these new Directors were promoted along with 18 Deputy Directors and 20 Assistant Directors.
Also elevated to their next grade levels were 431 other staff.
The promotions had been ratified at a recent meeting of the NIMASA Governing Board held at the Agency's Head Office, MARITIME HOUSE, Burma Road, Apapa, Lagos State, South-West Nigeria.
The Governing Board had enjoined the newly promoted staff to be more dedicated to their duties, saying that promotions come with added responsibilities.
Congratulating the newly-promoted staff, the NIMASA Director-General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, charged them to remain committed to the Agency's vision of making Nigeria great through sustainable harnessing of her huge maritime potential.
In his words: "Congratulations to the 472 staff of the Agency whose promotions have been ratified by the NIMASA Governing Board, It is my expectation that this development will serve as a morale booster as you collectively rededicate yourselves to the delivery of our core mandates."
Jamoh went on: "We remain dedicated to ensuring staff welfare is at the forefront in order to encourage the hard work and dedication that our staff are known for is maintained and built upon going forward. Suffice to say that the promotional exercise was rigorous to ensure our high standards are maintained.
"On our part as Executive Management, we will continue to ensure that staff promotions are conducted as and when due as part of our commitment to human capacity development in the Agency thereby ensuring positive contributions to the nation's economic diversification drive."
The promotion exercise is the third under the Jamoh-led management since he assumed office in March 2020.

14/08/2022

NEWS

NPA allays whatever angst over PCS .. Declares it isn't meant to take over e-Customs project or other IT platforms

The e-Customs platform of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other government agencies-administered information communications technology (ICT) platforms should rest easy that the evolving Ports Community System (PCS) of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) will not subsume those platforms.
None other than the NPA Managing Director, Alhaji Mohammed Bello Koko, gave this assurance as he explained that the organisation is targeting "full digitalisation of all aspect of service delivery at our ports, now and in the future."
Koko was speaking in an interview with the editorial team of Nigerian Ports Today, the inhouse medium of the NPA.
Koko explained that, with fully digitalised ports operations, "visiting ships do need to fill papers, print documents and all that, because there is what we call electronic ship entry notice and our billing system has been fully-automated.
"What we're trying to achieve now is bring all relevant parties involved in cargo handling value chain on a single platform; from the entry of the ship - that means the Harbours Department gets to have information that they need at the right time - right down to loading of the cargo and also the trucking and logistics companies.
"Under the technical guidance of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), we are working on the deployment of a Ports Community System (PCS). This PCS is not to take over the e-Customs project or any other IT platform that is currently being used by other government agencies. What it does is that it enables information sharing and processing of ship entries, offloading of the cargo, to evacuation of the cargo. Parties in this Ports Community System will be the NPA, shipping companies, terminal operators, haulage companies, Customs, freight forwarders and other relevant trade parties.
"We are currently trying to integrate the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system of the shipping companies to the Eto platform; this will greater synergy to traffic management at the ports. So, what we are doing is deliberate investment with definitive timeline. There is a roadmap for all these things I just mentioned. We're working with the shipping companies, terminal operators and relevant agencies of government; it is all-integrated and it makes everything almost seamless."

14/08/2022

WEIGHTY WORDS

"We worked closely with the Hydrography Unit of the Nigerian Navy in charting the waters and establishing these wrecks as critical for immediate removal. Some are completely submerged while others are partially submerged. This Badagry Creek is a commercial route with passenger vessels plying and we place a premium on safety of lives and properties. We are confident that on completion, operations of the Navy in patrolling our waters will also be enhanced as the routes will be free of wrecks.". - The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Director-General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, during a review session of the ongoing wreck removal exercise by the Agency ... recently.

14/08/2022

WEIGHTY WORDS

"We shall also conduct a full bottom sweeping operation by deploying sonar imagery system with a view to establishing any existing natural or artificial obstacles lying on the seabed within the area of survey for this phase of the wreck removal exercise. NIMASA is also taking into consideration, the impact of the entire operations on the marine environment with a view to ensuring safety of marine lives. We are monitoring the entire exercise closely to guarantee total removal of all identified wrecks." - The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Director-General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, during a review session of the ongoing wreck removal exercise by the Agency ... recently.

14/08/2022

NEWS

WRECKS REMOVAL: NIMASA plans post-impact assessment on Badagry Creek

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has commenced preparatory works to deploy high-resolution magnetometer towards validating the ongoing wreck removal exercise of all identified wrecks listed for removal along the Badagry Creek in Lagos State, South-West Nigeria.
The NIMASA Director-General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, who disclosed this during a review session of the ongoing wreck removal exercise by the Agency, also stated that the impact of the entire exercise on the marine environment was being assessed by the Agency.
"We shall also conduct a full bottom sweeping operation by deploying sonar imagery system with a view to establishing any existing natural or artificial obstacles lying on the seabed within the area of survey for this phase of the wreck removal exercise. NIMASA is also taking into consideration, the impact of the entire operations on the marine environment with a view to ensuring safety of marine lives. We are monitoring the entire exercise closely to guarantee total removal of all identified wrecks," he said.
Amongst those already removed include a completely submerged barge which was lying over 10 metres deep along the Badagry Channel on coordinates 711006.1 Easting and 535294.9 Northing.
NIMASA has also successfully removed two other completely submerged barges beneath the water at 530924.9 Northing and 710608.3 Easting.
Another completely submerged barge, which reportedly has been lying dangerously along the channels on 711617.5 Easting and 533601.6 Northing, has also been successfully removed and taken to the dumpsite located in Kirikiri, Lagos.
These are amongst the identified wrecks removed along the creek from Tin-Can Island to Navy Town.
NIMASA had worked with the Hydrography Department of the Nigerian Navy (NN) to identify these wrecks as critical.
"We worked closely with the Hydrography Unit of the Nigerian Navy in charting the waters and establishing these wrecks as critical for immediate removal. Some are completely submerged while others are partially submerged. This Badagry Creek is a commercial route with passenger vessels plying and we place a premium on safety of lives and properties. We are confident that on completion, operations of the Navy in patrolling our waters will also be enhanced as the routes will be free of wrecks," the NIMASA boss.
NIMASA is charged with the responsibility of ensuring safety of navigation in line with the Wreck Removal Convention that was adopted at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) diplomatic conference in Nairobi kenya in 2007 and entered into force on April 14, 2015.
Nigeria was the eighth country to ratify the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks.

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