Customs Service frowns at delay of cargoes at ports

Eporwei Edike, the Zonal Coordinator , Zone `A` and an Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.

He said that if importers follow the due procedures of PAAR, this would assist the service in clearing goods on time,.

The Customs chief said that many port users had turned the system to `post-arrival’’.

“Although there may be some of our colleagues who would see white and call it blue.

“Please do not be afraid. Call the attention of the Customs Area Comptroller of the particular port.

“If it does not work out, call the Zonal Coordinator or you get in touch with the Customs Comptroller-General.

“If everybody is not doing the right thing, it will affect the country because our economy will not grow, “Edike said.

He urged importers and exporters to always engage in honest declaration to avoid delay in clearing procedures.

Edike said that false declaration usually shortchanged the government in terms of  revenue, adding that he had no patience for any of his colleagues who delayed consignments unnecessarily.

In the week under review, a Senior Maritime Correspondent of NAN, Alhaja Aisha Cole, won the Best Maritime Reporter’s Award 2016 given by the Publishers of PEOPLE’S FORUM Maritime Newspapers. The Awards were tagged: “7^th National Evergreen Maritime Merit Awards”.

The Award Coordinator, Tunde Ojudun, said that the Award Committee did a field research on the Best Maritime Reporter’s Award and unanimously selected Cole as the winner.

“It should be noted that National Evergreen Merit Awards are exclusively for maritime industry stakeholders working assiduously to report the maritime industry.

“In our research work, we did put the following into consideration: transparency in every aspect of financial dealing; dedication to duty; patriotism to Nigeria; and relationship with other colleagues and other stakeholders.

“Added to your emergence as the winner of this prestigious award is your excellent contributions to the maritime industry,’’ NAN quotes Ojudun as saying.

The coordinator said the Awards are “non-profit making and are aimed at inducing and promoting excellence and patriotism in work places in Nigeria”.

According to him, today’s honour will motivate other stakeholders to work tirelessly and selflessly, so that they too can be honoured one day like today’s recipients.

A maritime expert, who was the Chairman of the event, Olusegun Ologbese, commended the Nigerian maritime media for appropriate reportage of the maritime industry.

Ologbese urged maritime media not to relent in their efforts in supporting the Federal Government’s efforts in diversification of the economy.

He commended the organisers of the award for choosing the awardees based on merit, adding that it would motivate them to continue the good job in promoting the industry.

The Head, Corporate Communications Team of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Hajia Lami Tumaka, commended the efforts of the organisers.

Tumaka advised the organisers not to be discouraged by the recession, adding that one day, their efficiency would be rewarded.

“The recession the country is facing is affecting everybody. I will want the maritime media to report people’s views on solutions to the situation we found   ourselves.

“The media should support NIMASA in searching for alternative means of getting revenue for government, ‘’ says.

Tumaka received the Most Outstanding Maritime Industry Chief Executive Award on behalf of the Director-General of NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside.

Another Award Recipient, a Chief Superintendent of Customs, Steve Okonmah, won an Award as the “Image Maker of the Year’’.

Okonmah, who is the Spokesman of PTML Customs Command in Lagos, said he dedicated the award to all maritime journalists, considering the difficult terrain under which they operate.

Other award recipients are: Patrick Osita, (Maritime Activist); Aisha Cole of NAN (Best Maritime Reporter of the year); Joseph Atoloye (Outstanding Operator); and Deputy Comptroller Zakari Nasir, (Most Outstanding Customs Deputy Comptroller).

NAN reports that other award recipients are: Wale Oni (Good Relationship Award); and Izuchukwu Ozoemena (Best Consistent Maritime Magazine).

Also in the week under review, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi urged members of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to assist the Management of the agency in discharging its mandate optimally.

The minister made the plea while delivering a keynote address in Calabar on the topic: “Integrating the Transport Sector with the Ocean Economy in Nigeria’’, at a Retreat for Board members.

Amaechi advised the Board members to assist the Management of NIMASA to deliver on its mandate and collaborate with other transportation sectors to build an efficient inter-modal system for the country.

Danjuma Dauda, Director of Maritime Safety and Security in the Ministry, who represented the Minister, acknowledged the strategic importance of the maritime industry to global commerce.

The minister told members of the NIMASA Board to place the agency in an enviable position that would enable it perform optimally its functions and deliver on its mandate.

“This retreat is, therefore, expected to strengthen your capacity for the assignment ahead within the tenure of this Board,’’ Dauda said.

The minister said that government was committed to a holistic development of the transportation system.

“We must effectively harness the opportunities in the maritime sector in collaboration with other sectors.

“This explains why government is working toward improving transportation by seamlessly integrating maritime with road, rail and air modes of transportation”.

He commended the Management of NIMASA for initiating the retreat for members of the Board.

“As part time Board members of NIMASA, it is very desirable that members get acquainted with the Laws and the Act establishing the agency and be guided in the performance of the functions to which you are appointed.

“A sound knowledge of the laws empowering the agency to effectively regulate the Nigerian Maritime industry will help in addressing the challenges of the sector for maximum economic benefits to the nation”, the Minister assured the members.

The Chairman of the Board, Retired Gen. Jonathan Garba, expressed appreciation to the minister and assured him that the Board would cooperate with the Management team to reposition the agency to discharge its mandate effectively.