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Comptroller Dera Nnadi, mni of Tincan Island Customs port Command has made known the zero compromise for corruption stance of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.
Comptroller Nnadi said this when he handed over $54,330 bribe money to Lagos Zonal Commander of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) , Mr. Michael Wetkas, fwc
The Tramadol were falsely declared as electrical appliances valued at over N856m with a view to conceal them while the cash were offered to compromise the customs officers
The Controller said the act is in clear violation of Section 233 of Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCAA) 2023 and commended the officers who stood their grounds to work ethically and lawfully in the interest of national security
He further called for continuous compliance on the part of port users and reminded them that the NCS with the collaboration of sister agencies like EFCC will continue to frustrate criminal activities in the port
Nnadi thanked Comptroller Oloyede, who under his watch, this seizure was achieved and described him as a good example of the NCS.
He said the two suspects arrested in connection with the two containers are currently being investigated by the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control for possible prosecution.
Mr. Michael Wekas while taking over the cash,
described the feat as a victory for the country and to all the security agencies. He specifically celebrated the officers of the NCS that achieved it.
Wetkas also lauded the the Comptroller General for the letter of commendation in appreciation of the six customs officers who refused to bow to pressure and inducement from the owners of the illicit drugs.
He promised continued collaboration between the EFCC, NCS and sister agencies. According to him, the era of working without collaboration is gone as the agencies now work closer
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Marine And Blue Economy Sector: Oyetola Brainstorm With Stakeholders On Advancing Sustainable Development
The honorable Minister Of Marine And Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola in a roundtable engagement with industry stakeholders on Advancing Sustainable Development In Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy sector, has made known the intention of the ministry to embrace the PPP models in transforming the sector.
Honorable Oyetola disclosed this on Tuesday while delivering his keynote address at the stakeholders engagement held at Intercontinental hotel in Lagos.
The Minister who said he is acquainted with the sector’s challenges, assured of his commitment to bequeathing to Nigerians a better sector than what is currently on ground.
According to the minister, the forum was convened to bring together players in the sector to discuss and chart a roadmap/direction that will advance the industry’s potential, promote sustainable Blue Economy investments and ensure global competitiveness within the sector.
He assured that the Stakeholders’ Engagement will be a continuum, since it is important to normalise the harmonious synergy and work together inensuring that the industry is safe, reliable and sustainable.
He promised that the ministry will refloat the National Shipping Line through a strategic Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) arrangement, with a view to capture a substantial share of the estimated $10 billion annual ship charter market within the country.
He added that the initiative will not in anyway impede the growth of local players but rather provide an avenue for them to create and extract more value from the sector, especially through ship construction, maintenance, and repairs.
According to the honorable minister, collaborative synergy between the private sector’s efficiency and the public sector’s oversight, will bring about transformative impact on the marine and blue economy as well as boost the creation of substantial job opportunities and the facilitation of increased trade and investment in the nation, thereby reinforcing the ministry’s collaborative and forward-looking approach.
In his words “There is an urgent need for a collaborative effort to brainstorm and devise strategies to leverage our marine resources for the betterment of the economy and safety of our planet. It is imperative we come up with practicable ways of ensuring that our Inland Rivers, Lakes and Waterways are well utilised for cargo shipment and passenger transportation.
“This Engagement Forum is crucial to the development of the sector as it offers an opportunity for us all to collectively contribute our perspectives, ideas and offer relevant inputs that can propel the sector to the trajectory of success necessary to support the development of the economy as well as meet the expectations of Mr. President who took the courage to open up Nigeria to focus on the Blue Economy Value Chain.
“The zeal for a better life for Nigerians propelled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to recently unveil 8 Presidential Priorities to address critical national challenges. These priorities are to be delivered through eight focus areas, namely: economic growth, food security, energy and natural resources, infrastructure development, security, healthcare, education, improved governance, and job creation.
“Our Ministry though new, is not resting on its oars and has continued to foster Inter-Agency collaborations and implement initiatives to promote Port efficiency, cargo shipment, maritime security and tap into the resources of the Seabed.
“The ministry’s decision to consider the re-establishment of a National Shipping Line, through a strategic PPP arrangement, is borne out of our desire to capture a substantial share of the estimated $10 billion annual ship charter market within the country.
“This initiative will not seek to impede the growth of local players but rather to provide an avenue for them to create and extract more value from the sector, especially through ship construction, maintenance, and repairs. This would enable our local businesses to better leverage the Carbotage Act, which gives Nigerians the exclusive right to control locally generated seaborne trade.
“Other anticipated outcomes include the creation of substantial job opportunities and the facilitation of increased trade and investment in the nation, reinforcing our collaborative and forward-looking approach” Oyetola quipped.
Some areas of discussion at the state holders engagement bothered on strengthening the Blue Governance; Transforming Port Operations; Enhancing Port Infrastructure; and Promoting Blue Economy Investments.