Category: Maritime Sector

The Tin-Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has prioritized professional development by conducting a specialized training program for Deputy and Assistant Comptrollers on Monday.

The aim was to optimize the performance of senior officers and keep them updated on the latest developments in port operations.

The training session, held at the Tin-Can Island Command Headquarters in Lagos, was dedicated to addressing the ever-evolving landscape of the port environment, with a particular focus on the command’s operational area.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Tin-Can Island Port, Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni delivered an informative presentation titled “An Insight into Customs Clearance Challenges and Breach of Extant Customs Procedures.”

During his presentation, Comptroller Nnadi mni emphasized the dynamic nature of the port business and the necessity of staying well-informed about current developments.

He highlighted the importance of supporting compliant traders while also discouraging non-compliance through prescribed sanctions and penalties.

Nnadi, a leading strategist and development officer within the customs organization, highlighted the shift in Customs’ role from being solely revenue-focused to encompassing trade management that aligns with government policies. He underscored the importance of customs personnel and stakeholders adapting to these changing dynamics, as they significantly impact the customs clearance processes.

Regarding the challenge faced by the command in meeting its annual revenue target of N801 billion in light of the fluctuating exchange rate of the naira, Comptroller Nnadi stressed the need to address revenue leakages and promote compliance among stakeholders and declarants.

Deputy Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, who serves as the Command DC Enforcement Unit, emphasized the importance of continuous training and retraining. He highlighted that keeping abreast of modern customs techniques is crucial to ensure that the supply chain aligns with international best practices.

Deputy Comptroller Aliyu also commended Comptroller Nnadi for his versatility and his contributions to the command since taking over control, noting that his leadership has been advantageous for the command’s operations.

The training program reflects the commitment of the Tin-Can Island Command to maintain high standards in port operations and customs procedures. It ensures that senior officers are well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of their roles and align with international best practices in trade management.

In a determined effort to combat oil theft, the Nigerian Navy has initiated the deployment of 10 warships and two helicopters within its territorial waters. This strategic deployment, referred to as “Exercise Sea Guardian,” was officially announced by Rear Admiral Umar Chugali, the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command.

Rear Admiral Chugali explained that the primary objective of this exercise is to minimize insecurity in Nigeria’s territorial waters. The Nigerian Navy is collaborating closely with other security agencies to ensure the success of this initiative.

He elaborated on the exercise, stating, “This joint exercise covering both the defense and policy roles of the navy consists of 10 ships, two helicopters, and over 500 boats, all actively engaged for four days at sea. The purpose is to demonstrate the capacity and capability of our naval assets at sea, securing Nigeria’s maritime space and the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).”

He emphasized that the maritime environment has faced ongoing threats both onshore and offshore, underscoring the need for this joint exercise, which was last conducted in 2021.

The core objective of “Exercise Sea Guardian” is to maintain a secure, stable maritime environment conducive to the prosperity of socio-economic activities. By deploying capital ships and other assets, the Nigerian Navy aims to complement previous achievements in curbing sea piracy, sea robbery, crude oil theft, and other illegal activities within its waters.

Rear Admiral Chugali acknowledged the dynamic and evolving nature of security challenges in the maritime environment. In response, the navy continues to adapt its tactics and strategies to minimize insecurity to the greatest extent possible.

Although Nigeria was removed from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) piracy list in March 2022, Rear Admiral Chugali emphasized that vigilance should be maintained. He attributed Nigeria’s successful exit from the piracy list to changes in the navy’s tactics and government support.

Rear Admiral Olusola Oluwagbire, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command (ENC), dismissed allegations that some navy personnel were involved in crude oil theft complexities in the country. He explained that these accusations were baseless, as no evidence has been presented to support such claims.

Rear Admiral Oluwagbire stated that the navy constantly monitors its personnel and takes strict action against any officers involved in illicit activities. The navy is committed to presenting its best personnel and assets in its deployments.

The French Defense Attaché to Nigeria, Colonel Guillaume Dujon has commended the exceptional interaction between the Nigerian Navy and the French Navy, underscoring the crucial role of such partnerships in safeguarding the maritime domain.

Initiated on October 9 by Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT in Apapa, these exercises concluded on October 10.

Speaking at the conclusion of Exercise Crocodile Lift and Exercise Grand African Nemo, Colonel Dujon praised the successful collaboration between the two naval forces, especially within the complex maritime context of the Gulf of Guinea.

He commended Nigeria’s remarkable development of amphibious warfare capabilities, noting that Nigeria had become the first coastal state in Western Africa to achieve this level of proficiency.

“This great interaction with the Nigerian Navy is good especially with one of our French ships at the Gulf of Guinea also extending cooperation for the control of the maritime domain.

“We also share our experience in maritime security with the assets we have at the moment,” he said.

Dujon said that the relationship between the two navies had been cordial since Ex Grand African Nemo, which was a multilateral exercise held every year with some coastal state of Guinea.

“However, Ex Crocodile Lift is a bilateral exercise in itself and it is interesting to interact on a new area, which is an amphibious warfare that is very specific.

“Nigeria is the first coastal state in Western Africa to develop such capability and I am very impressed and appreciate what the nation has achieved so far,” he said.

The Colonel said that in March, the bilateral relationship between the Nigerian Navy and French Navy yielded good result when both navies intervened to ensure that a hijacked tanker, MONJASA REFORMER was secured.

“So, it is important to ensure the security of the maritime domain especially at the Gulf of Guinea because of promoting international trade, regional security among other benefits.

“It is very important that we get to know the navies and to know how to interact with them,” Dujon said

In his assessment of the joint exercises, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Muhammed Abdullahi expressed his satisfaction and underscored the multitude of benefits that stem from collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and the French Navy. This partnership, he affirmed, is integral to ensuring maritime security and fostering economic prosperity within the Gulf of Guinea.

Rear Admiral Abdullahi explained that the purpose of the combined exercise was to train the Nigerian Navy troops in conjunction with their foreign partners.

He stated, “Ex Crocodile Lift is a French initiative designed to facilitate sea lift operations, fostering collaboration and enhancing capabilities. While the Nigerian Navy possesses the capacity to carry out sea lifts independently, cooperation with our foreign partners aims to ensure the safety and security of our maritime environment, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea, while allowing for knowledge exchange.”

Rear Admiral Abdullahi emphasized the importance of collaborating with the French Navy as a means to share experiences, build capacity, and learn from each other.

He also highlighted the various phases of maritime crime, including crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, piracy, sea robbery, hostage-taking, and Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF), stating that combating these crimes required diverse tactics.

The FOC reiterated the significance of exercises like this in fostering international cooperation and enhancing the capabilities of naval officers.

He further discussed the positive impact of such collaborations in securing the maritime environment and ensuring economic prosperity.

In a show of unwavering commitment to maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), the Chief of the Naval Staff of the Nigerian Navy, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla has flagged off combined flag-off the “Crocodile Lift” and “Grand African Nemo” 2023 Exercises for effective maritime security.

The Exercises Crocodile Lift and Grand African Nemo 2023 are collaborative initiatives between the French Navy and the Nigerian Navy, aimed at bolstering maritime security efforts in the Gulf of Guinea. The decision to merge these exercises was driven by the overlapping timelines of both events and the need for a multifaceted approach to maritime security.

In his speech during the official flagoff on board the Nigerian Navy Ship KADA on October 9, 2023, Vice Admiral Ogalla highlighted the significant security challenges facing the GoG region, emphasizing that many of these threats directly target Nigeria’s economic lifeline.

He pointed out that the criminal activities, including crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering, pose a grave risk to national well-being stressing the importance of national and international collaboration to mitigate these threats effectively.

The Chief of the Naval Staff commended Exercises Crocodile Lift and Grand African Nemo as well-thought-out international exercises involving the Nigerian Navy. Expressing optimism, he stated that these exercises would add impetus to his vision of creating a “highly motivated professional naval force capable of shaping the security outcomes within Nigeria’s maritime domain and the littorals.”

Ogalla reiterated the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to the objectives of the Yaoundé protocol, emphasizing its role in ensuring maritime security in the GoG region.

In his words: “Undeniably, Exercises CROCODILE LIFT AND GRAND AFRICAN NEMO which have both become annual events, are some of the well thought out international exercises involving the Nigerian Navy. It is gratifying to note that these exercises have further enhanced effective collaboration against maritime insecurity such as Crude Oil Theft, illegal oil bunkering, piracy, sea robbery, hostage taking as well as Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing.

“Overall, I am optimistic that these Exercises will add impetus to my vision to have ‘highly motivated professional naval force capable of shaping the security outcomes within Nigeria’s maritime domain and the littorals including land-based engagements in fulfillment of Nigeria’s national interest’. Additionally, the Exercises will further demonstrate Nigerian Navy’s commitment to the objectives of the Yaoundé protocol in ensuring maritime security in the GoG” Ogalla noted.

Also speaking, The French Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Col. Laurent Favier acknowledged the collaborative efforts, highlighting the value of the cooperation that has developed between France and Nigeria, particularly within the Nigerian Navy’s maritime security efforts. He also praised Nigeria’s leadership in the Yaoundé architecture, a regional initiative that promotes maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

The French Defence Attaché underscored the tangible signs of cooperation, including the presence of the French Landing Helicopter Dock Mistral in Lagos as part of the CORYMBE mission, signifying the growing confidence between the two Navies.

“With the aim of supporting the development of the Blue economy among the Coastal States, the Nigerian Navy has been engaged for many years in this fight against piracy, illegal fishing, and various forms of criminality at sea, achieving outstanding results in 2022, with a significant decrease in incidents.

“On a more global scale, Nigeria has also played a leading role in the development of the Yaoundé architecture, which celebrates this year its Tenth anniversary, especially by implementing the YARIS CIS system to allow better sharing of information on maritime activity in the Gulf of Guinea. The presence in Lagos of our Landing Helicopter Dock Mistral in the framework of the CORYMBE mission and of the European Union’s coordinated maritime presence appears today as a tangible sign of the confidence that is now established between our two Navies.” Colonel Favier noted.

On his part, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mohammed Abdullahi highlighted the importance of these exercises in creating a safe and secure maritime environment, preventing piracy, sea robbery, crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, and other forms of criminal activities within the Western Naval Command’s area of responsibility which according to him aligns with the Chief of the Naval Staff’s vision for harnessing Nigeria’s maritime environment for economic growth.

Abdullahi emphasized the collaborative nature of this year’s exercise, involving multiple Maritime Operation Zones of the Yaoundé architecture. He informed that the Nigerian Navy will deploy seven ships, one Special Boat Service unit, two helicopters, and four Maritime Operation Centers to ensure the success of Exercise Grand African Nemo 2023.

The Western Naval Command Flag Officer Commanding assured the public of the Western Naval Command’s commitment to providing a conducive maritime environment for legitimate businesses. He stressed the importance of collaboration and information sharing among stakeholders and other regional Navies to address maritime challenges effectively.

Speaking during an interactive session with the Senate Committee on Marine Transport and Chief Executive Officers of government agencies in the maritime sector, Dr. Jamoh emphasized the pivotal role of collaboration and peer review exercises in achieving this remarkable progress.

NIMASA, under Dr. Jamoh’s leadership, has actively engaged in collaboration and peer review exercises with other maritime administrations both within Africa and globally. Dr. Jamoh explained, “We regularly undertake peer review exercises amongst maritime Administrations not just on the African continent, but globally. We have learnt a lot from reviews with the South African Maritime Administration (SAMSA) and Maritime Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). We have also provided mentorship for maritime administrations on the African continent.”

Senator Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, highlighted the importance of the interactive session in aligning the legislature and implementing organs of government to maximize the benefits of the blue economy for Nigerians. He commended the Federal Government, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for their commitment to reviving the economy, citing the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as a testament to the opportunities within the marine and blue economy sector.

The Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Commodore Emmanuel Duja Effedua, expressed his appreciation for NIMASA’s instrumental role in transforming the academy into a global leader. Effedua noted that MAN Oron now boasts state-of-the-art training equipment for seafarers, thanks to NIMASA’s commitment to funding the academy.