Nigeria loses N6 bn monthly to low activity at Lilypond Inland Port, says freight forwarder
A freight forwarder, Chuks Ijemanze, has said the
Nigerian government loses about N6 billion monthly, due to low activity and the
redundant state of the Lilypond Off-dock Terminal, an inland port in Lagos.
Nigerian government loses about N6 billion monthly, due to low activity and the
redundant state of the Lilypond Off-dock Terminal, an inland port in Lagos.
He made the statement at a news conference in Lagos as maritime activities closed for the week ended on Oct
16.
16.
Ijemanze, a former Chairman of the Lilypond Chapter of
the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, explained that the
terminal had for a long time not provided services near its 15,000 TEUs (20 ft.
containers) capacity.
the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, explained that the
terminal had for a long time not provided services near its 15,000 TEUs (20 ft.
containers) capacity.
According to him, all agencies operating in the
terminal are currently redundant.
terminal are currently redundant.
He said if the situation was not addressed soon,
businesses in that environment would die and government would also suffer huge
losses.
businesses in that environment would die and government would also suffer huge
losses.
In the week under review, the Senate Committee on Rice
Waivers summoned the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Hameed
Ali, who is a retired colonel.
Waivers summoned the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Hameed
Ali, who is a retired colonel.
The committee wanted Ali to explain his reasons
for lifting the restriction on rice importation through land borders.
for lifting the restriction on rice importation through land borders.
Ali was summoned, following a motion by Adamu
Aliero (APC, Kebbi), who decried the decision by the customs boss.
Aliero (APC, Kebbi), who decried the decision by the customs boss.
The committee said Ali lacked power to lift the ban,
arguing that the action could undermine local production of rice.
arguing that the action could undermine local production of rice.
Also in the week, the comptroller-general of customs
at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, warned against corrupt practices by
customs operatives, shippers (importers and exporters) and customs agents.
at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, warned against corrupt practices by
customs operatives, shippers (importers and exporters) and customs agents.
He said that anyone caught risked being jailed for at
least five years without an option of fine.
least five years without an option of fine.
Ali said it was possible for customs to clear goods
from the ports within 48 hours if there were no falsification in declaration of
goods.
from the ports within 48 hours if there were no falsification in declaration of
goods.
The customs chief said that in carrying out his
assignment, he would ensure that all acts of cutting corners by some importers
and agents were stopped.
assignment, he would ensure that all acts of cutting corners by some importers
and agents were stopped.
He also promised to look into the challenges
complained about by freight forwarders.
complained about by freight forwarders.
In the week under review, the Western Marine Command
of the NCS demanded more outstations in Iyana Sashi and Ikorodu (Lagos State);
Lokoja (Kogi) and Odo, Shaki in Oyo State.
of the NCS demanded more outstations in Iyana Sashi and Ikorodu (Lagos State);
Lokoja (Kogi) and Odo, Shaki in Oyo State.
The Controller of the command, Yusuf Umar, also
requested water patrol crafts, including medium-sized boats and high-speed
outboard engines, to boost anti- smuggling operations.
requested water patrol crafts, including medium-sized boats and high-speed
outboard engines, to boost anti- smuggling operations.
Umar said that the command needed trucks to convey
seizures to the base and other utility vehicles for outstations.
seizures to the base and other utility vehicles for outstations.
He appealed to the comptroller-general to provide
accommodation for customs operatives in the outstations, who currently lived in
rented apartments, which he described as “risky to their lives.’’
accommodation for customs operatives in the outstations, who currently lived in
rented apartments, which he described as “risky to their lives.’’
Responding, the comptroller-general said that
promotion would henceforth be done twice every year, adding that officers and
men of the service would not stay at a post beyond three years.
promotion would henceforth be done twice every year, adding that officers and
men of the service would not stay at a post beyond three years.
Also during the week, the Nigerian Ports Authority
(NPA) urged Canadian firms to invest in Nigerian ports and take advantage of
numerous investment opportunities in Nigeria.
(NPA) urged Canadian firms to invest in Nigerian ports and take advantage of
numerous investment opportunities in Nigeria.
The Managing Director of the NPA, Habib Abdullahi,
made the call while receiving the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner in his
office in Lagos.
made the call while receiving the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner in his
office in Lagos.
Abdullahi advised Canadian firms to show greater
interest in Green Field port development and capacity building in
marine-related disciplines.
interest in Green Field port development and capacity building in
marine-related disciplines.
