Category: International News

The handing and taking-over ceremony of the command of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT between Commodore Rafiu Taye Oladejo and Commodore Paul Ponfa Nimmyel was held on Thursday, 6 February 2025, at NNS BEECROFT conference room following a send-forth parade held in honour of the out-going commander.

According to the Base Information Officer, Lieutenant Hussaini Ibrahim “Commodore Paul Ponfa has become the 58th Commander NNS BEECROFT. He hails from Plateau State and is a member of 43 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy. Prior to his appointment as the Commander NNS BEECROFT, he was the Maritime Component Commander Operation Hadin Kai (OPHD) Headquarters, Maiduguri.

He attended the following military courses: Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course, Officers’ Long Course, Junior Staff Course, Senior Staff Course and the National Defence College Course, Nigeria, among others.

Commodore Nimmyel has obtained the following degrees: Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Defence Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna, a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan, a Master’s Degree in International Relations from Kofi Annan University, and he is currently undergoing a Ph.D. programme at the University of Ibadan.

The Senior Officer has the following awards and decorations: Distinguished Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Forces Service Star, Passed Staff Course, Joint Task Force (North-East) Medal, ECOMOG Medal, Multinational Joint Task Force Operations Medal, among others.

The highlights of the ceremony included send-forth parade, singing of the Handing and Taking-over Note by both commanders and the Handing and Taking Over of the Command’s Flag.

Compelled by the exigency of bringing Nigerian Ports up to speed with those of its peers in terms of infrastructure and equipment, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has secured necessary approvals for an upward review in its tariffs which was last reviewed in the year 1993.

The 15% upward increase which is to cut across all NPA Rates and Dues is premised on the urgent need to address the undesirable reality of aged and weak infrastructure, obsolete equipment and slow Port capacity expansion which has continued to diminish the performance and indeed competitiveness of Nigerian Ports.

Globally, Port Authorities depend on revenue from operations to stay alive to their responsibilities which include construction and maintenance of Port infrastructure, dredging of channels, provision of aids for safe navigation, provision of modern marine crafts for efficient harbour services, automation and digitisation of port transactions, port security, energy efficiency and training and retraining of its employees.

The global index of Port rating and competitiveness which the international trade community relies on for its choice of countries to do business with, derives its data from how well the aforementioned responsibilities are addressed.

Coming at this period of global economic upheaval and scramble for markets, this belated tariff review borne out of necessity constitutes a critical success factor in Nigeria’s quest to win back cargo handling business and it’s accompanying benefits including job opportunities it had lost to it’s maritime neighbours.

Contrary to the popular but erroneous notion that attributes high Port costs to NPA relative to its peers, verifiable data shows NPA tariffs are amongst the lowest in the region.

The high incidence of unreceipted costs due to unduly high human interface, bureaucratic bottlenecks, functional overlaps resulting from absence of a Port Community System (PCS) and its corollary the National Single Window (NSW) are responsible for this contrived falsehood.

Although long overdue, a quick win benefits of the NPA Tariff review for stakeholders, is the immediate boost it gives to the Authority to fast track the commencement of actual works on its concluded Port reconstruction and modernisation plans.

Secondly, the Tariff review provides the necessary guarantees to fund the acquisition and urgent deployment of the Information Communications Technology (ICT) backbone of the PCS which is the precursor to the implementation of the NSW.

Furthermore, the increased revenue generation arising from the review buoys the Authority’s capacity for critical maintenance works to open up the Eastern Ports for increased vessel and cargo traffic such as the reconstruction of collapsed Escravos Breakwaters and challenged aspects of Rivers, Onne and Calabar Ports respectively.

At a stakeholders meeting in Lagos,Managing Director of NPA, Abubakar Dantsoho represented by Olalekan Badmus, Executive Director Marine and Operation said the management decision to meet stakeholders was borne out of desire to carry everyone along.

Speaking at the meeting, Joshua Asanga a stakeholder agreed with the increase adding that the value of NPA present tariff has since been suppressed Inflation which is at about 35% .

Asanga listed port management liabilities like wages, fuel and other areas of expenditure as having adjusted upwards without a commensurate rise in NPA charges for over thirty years

He added that NPA needs funds for improved port infrastructure, robust ICT for Port Community System, procurement of tug boats and other operational platforms to achieve efficiency

Another stakeholder, Damian Ukagu, who spoke at the event talked on the need to apply more NPA funding to outer port facilities and jetties like the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal and development of other critical port facilities across the country.

He added that NPA rates should be able to cover these cost that would guarantee minimum return on investment and promote sustainable trade.

The meeting agreed that existing tariffs were set devoid of capital cost, labour cost, consumables and overhead expenditures needed to run the ports

They feared that keeping the ports on the old tariff would promote consequences like poor service, inadequate infrastructure,poor remuneration, obsolete critical port facilities, equipment and infrastructure.

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi has reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) commitment to enhancing collaboration with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to ensure environmental safety, trade efficiency and regulatory compliance.

Speaking on Tuesday, 4 February 2025, during a courtesy visit by NESREA’s management team to the Customs Headquarters in Abuja, Adeniyi described inter-agency synergy as crucial to achieving national economic and security goals.

“We recognise the importance of collaboration and partnership. Many of us have witnessed the golden era of synergy between Customs and NESREA, whether at seaports or border stations. Our commitment to this partnership remains unwavering,” CGC Adeniyi stated.

He noted that the World Customs Organization (WCO) consistently advocates active cooperation between regulatory agencies, highlighting how such partnerships drive trade facilitation, environmental enforcement and national security.

Adeniyi also outlined the NCS’s 2024 achievements, including surpassing its N5.1-trillion revenue target by November and exceeding N6 trillion by December – achievements attributed to improved efficiency and strategic collaborations.

“These successes are not just about revenue; they reflect our efforts to create a structured, technology-driven trade environment,” he explained.

He emphasised the Service’s commitment to digital transformation, intelligence gathering and strategic alliances, proposing deeper digital integration with NESREA to streamline regulatory enforcement. “If we can establish a digital handshake between our platforms – seamlessly sharing data, approvals and compliance information – we can significantly enhance environmental protection while improving trade efficiency,” Adeniyi added.

NESREA’s Director-General, Dr Innocent Barikor, commended Customs for its progressive reforms and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to stronger collaboration. He stressed the need for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, particularly in restricting hazardous imports.

“Customs and NESREA share a common law enforcement responsibility, especially at the nation’s borders,” Dr Barikor stated. He outlined NESREA’s role in enforcing 35 environmental regulations covering air, land and sea pollution and waste management.

Dr Barikor also raised concerns over the increasing importation of end-of-life electronics and other environmentally harmful goods, warning that improper disposal poses severe risks. “Some organisations are importing goods that no longer align with environmental best practices, particularly electronic waste. Our inability to manage the resulting hazardous chemicals is already affecting our ecosystem,” he cautioned.

He emphasised the need for Customs to enforce import restrictions on environmentally unsafe goods and called for greater participation in environmental advocacy, regulatory policymaking and compliance monitoring. Dr Barikor also highlighted the importance of joint training and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen collaboration between both agencies.

The Customs Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Port Command (TCIP), Controller Frank Onyeka, has urged stakeholders to ensure accurate and full declarations of goods to enhance trade facilitation and improve customs operations.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting with executives of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Tin Can Port Chapter, on Wednesday, Onyeka emphasized that proper declarations are crucial in fostering transparency, combating illicit trade, reducing delays, and boosting national revenue collection.

“Proper declarations are the foundation of an efficient customs process. When stakeholders declare goods correctly, it enables us to streamline operations, reduce bottlenecks at the ports, and improve the overall experience for both businesses and consumers,” Onyeka stated.

The call aligns with the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) broader objective of strengthening stakeholder engagement, ensuring compliance with global best practices, and creating a transparent, fair, and secure trading environment.

Onyeka reassured stakeholders of the NCS’s commitment to capacity building and the deployment of technology-driven solutions aimed at making trade more efficient. “We must work together to ensure the declaration process is not only a statutory requirement but a tool for trade facilitation. By enhancing compliance and promoting transparency, we are building a more robust, resilient, and dynamic trade ecosystem,” he added.

The meeting, which lasted over an hour and a half, saw stakeholders commending Onyeka’s open-door policy. The Board of Trustees (BOT) Secretary of ANLCA, Mr. Taiwo Oyeniyi, acknowledged Onyeka’s efforts in revenue generation, noting that the TCIP Command has been tasked with increasing its revenue from ₦6.1 billion last year to ₦12 billion this year.

“To achieve this target, Comptroller Onyeka has to block all revenue loopholes. However, we appeal that if he notices any irregularities, he should inform us. Stakeholders should also take advantage of his open-door policy and approach him whenever they need assistance,” Oyeniyi said.

He further praised Onyeka’s previous performance as a valuation officer at TCIP and Onne Command, expressing confidence in his ability to lead the command effectively. Oyeniyi also called on stakeholders to make honest declarations and urged Onyeka to maintain continuous dialogue with industry players.

The NCS remains committed to working with all stakeholders to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure compliance in trade operations at Tin Can Island Port.