National
Corruption limiting Nigeria’s single window – Shipper
Corruption limiting Nigeria’s single window – Shipper
A shipper, Mr Jonathan Nicole, says that corruption is limiting Nigeria from operating the National Single Window (NSW) system for swift and efficient movement of goods at the ports.
Nicole, in an interview with newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday, noted that Nigeria was long overdue for the system.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NSW was introduced in 2006, but the project has not been implemented, despite a committee set up to ensure that.
Already, Ghana, Togo and Senegal have implemented their system, which have made their ports more competitive.
The system allows parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardised information and documents with a single entry point to fulfill all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements,
RELATED STORY: Gov. Wike To Commission, Flag-Off Projects In Ibadan Friday
According to him, Nigeria lost track of single window when destination inspection was brought in, instead of the introduction of the single window.
“Information sharing can be done with good management. We complain, we adjust. Why do we need everybody at the port as a community setup, when I can clear my good at my house?
“Why do we need the shipping line and terminal operators to sit together when you can call them on phone and agree on prices? This is because it’s an individualistic arrangement.
“If smaller countries can have their single window, Ghana is having it, why can’t we do it. It’s unfortunate that corruption is limiting us from having the single window,” he said.
Nicole noted that single window would phase out clearing agents coming to the port.
“In England port, you hardly see a clearing agents going there. Meanwhile, most of the freight forwarders work with the shipping line. They get cargo and send to the shipping line without entering the port. So, why do we need to enter the port.
“If we operate the customs Harmonised System Codes (HS code) the way it is supposed to be operated, we don’t need what they call benchmark, you treat things at will. The central bank will change exchange rate at will.
“We must have an established system, where before any change will take place, everybody must know,” he said.
He said that the Nigeria Customs had one of the robust Information Communication and Technology (ICT).
The shipper said, “So, if they now adopt the single window, all agencies will key into it.”
On why other agencies do not want to key into the customs single window, he noted that corruption remained a challenge to the country, while querying, “had the country been able to wipe out corruption?
“Can we stay in our homes and get our goods? can we say that the tariff headings are always correct because we have a customs harmonised system? when you put in 10 per cent of a goods that you are suppose to pay ten percent?
“And somebody in Abuja will query the 10 per cent, won’t you go to Abuja? That is why the whole system is being scuttled.
“And to make it worse, the inspection agents that we used to have are fighting behind the curtain to come back,” he said.
Nicole said that Nigerian single window had been thwarted by inspection agencies because they wanted to come back and they had money to fight for it.
He, however, noted that his colleagues would fight against corruption with the ecosystem.
“if single window will solve most of our problems, what is stopping government from doing it.
“And now, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is saying that everyone must adopt single window.
“It is body regulating all those operating in the space. It is now left for our government to adopt the system,” he said.
He said that government still needs to do a thorough clean up of the system before discussion about having the system in place.
Corruption limiting Nigeria’s single window – Shipper
NiMet predicts 3-day sunshine, thunderstorms from Sunday
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and thunderstorms from Sunday to Tuesday across the country.
NiMet`s weather outlook released on Saturday predicted sunny skies on Sunday with patches of cloud over the northern region.
It forecast isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Katsina, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Jigawa and Taraba States during the morning periods.
According to it, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Adamawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna and Taraba States later in the day.
“Cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are expected over the North Central region with prospects of thunderstorms over Kwara, Niger, Benue and Kogi States during the morning hours.
“ Widespread thunderstorms are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau and Kogi States later in the day.
“Cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are anticipated over the southern states with chances of thunderstorms over parts of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Delta States during the morning periods, “ it said.
According to him, thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Delta States later in the day.
NiMet envisages sunny skies on Monday with patches of cloud over the northern region during the morning periods.
“ Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Kaduna, Adamawa and Taraba States.
“The North Central region should be cloudy with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Kogi, Benue, Niger the Federal Capital Territory and Kwara States during the morning hours.
“In the afternoon/evening hours, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa States,“ it said.
According to it, the southern region should be cloudy with thunderstorms over parts of Edo, Ondo, Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Delta States during the morning hours.
It anticipated thunderstorms over parts of Oyo, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, Ekiti, Edo, Ogun, Ondo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Delta States later in the day.
It predicted sunny atmosphere on Tuesday with patches of cloud over the northern region with prospect of thunderstorms over parts of Taraba during the morning hours.
It predicted isolated thunderstorms over parts of Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Adamawa and Taraba States as the day progresses.
“ The North Central region should be cloudy with sunshine intervals with prospects of isolated thunderstorm over parts of Niger State during the morning hours.
“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Kwara and Benue States.
“Cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine is expected over the southern region during the morning hours,“ it said.
The agency predicted thunderstorms over parts of Lagos, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa States later in the day.
NiMet urged the public to take adequate precaution as strong winds might precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms were likely to occur.
The agency also advised Airline operators to get updated weather reports and forecasts from NiMet for effective planning of their operations.
NiMet predicts 3-day sunshine, thunderstorms from Sunday
Fuel scarcity will soon be over, Senate leader assures Nigerians
The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has assured Nigerians that the fuel crisis experienced in the country will soon be a thing of the past.
Bamidele gave this assurance in an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of the Oil Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, on Friday.
According to him, the legislature is working tirelessly to ensure that fuel scarcity and frequent queues at filling stations are resolved.
He said that there were plans to involve more private-sector players in the construction of new refineries.
“The Senate is working to ensure that more private-sector players are licensed to own and operate refineries.
“This is to support other smaller ones that are springing up in several parts of the country.
“In addition to licensing new refinery operators, the Federal Government and Senate are working to ensure that the existing refineries are turned around with repairs and replacement of parts carried out where necessary.
Bamidele said the Senate had gotten assurance from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd., (NNPC Ltd.) that two of its refineries in Warri and Port Harcourt would come on stream before the end of the year.
He also noted that the commitment to licensing new refinery operators and revitalising existing refineries remained vital for increasing domestic oil production.
Opeyemi maintained that the focus was to ensure that Nugeria meets its OPEC production quota.
He explained that achieving such milestones would provide more revenue for the government and halt lack and borrowings.
By enhancing local refinery capacity, the Senator said that the country could reduce its dependence on fuel imports, leading to a potential decrease in petrol prices.
He explained that what drives pricing is the ability to meet demand in the face of every product, finding its level and place in a free market.
Also speaking, the Chairman,
Senate Committee of Downstream, Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah, said the last Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) that happened at the refineries was about 15 years ago, which led to the comatose state of the facility.
Ubah said that the non-deregulation of the downstream sector had put undue pressure on NNPC Ltd., as the entire industry depends on company for its petroleum needs.
He pointed out that no country could meet its energy needs by having a single entity; importing its petroleum product needs.
However, to be self-sufficient, Ubah urged the government to create a cluster of five to eight modular refineries within the riverine communities.
Fuel scarcity will soon be over, Senate leader assures Nigerians
NERC unbundles TCN, establishes new system operator
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has unbundled the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) with the establishment of the Nigerian Independent System Operator of Nigeria Limited (NISO)
The company disclosed this in an order signed by its Chairman, Mr Sanusi Garba and Mr Muslim Oseni, Vice Chairman in Abuja on Saturday.
According to the order, TCN will transfer all market and system operation functions to the newly formed NISO.
The company said that this is in line with the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, which provides clearer guidelines for the incorporation and licensing of the independent system operator (ISO).
It said that previously, TCN held Transmission Service Provider (TSP) and System Operations (SO) licences issued by NERC.
”With the establishment of NISO, TCN will now transfer its assets and liabilities related to market and system operations to the new entity.
According to the order, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has been directed to incorporate a private company limited by shares under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) by May 31.
”This new company, to be named the Nigerian Independent System Operator of Nigeria Limited (NISO), will assume the market and system operation functions as specified in the Electricity Act and the terms of TCN’s system operation licence,”It said.
The company outlined NISO’s responsibilities to include managing assets and liabilities related to market, and system operation on behalf of market participants and consumer groups.
”The new ISO will also negotiate contracts for ancillary services with independent power producers and generation licensees.
”In addition to performing market and system operation functions for the benefit of market participants and system users”It said.
NERC unbundles TCN, establishes new system operator
-
Education10 months agoMathematics Teacher Reportedly Stung By Bee While Preparing Students For Exam
-
Health3 weeks agoOnly 58,000 doctors renewed licence out of 130,000 registered doctors – MDCN
-
News1 year ago3 escape death in Ore-Sagamu expressway accident
-
Politics3 weeks agoAPC IN A FIX AS GOVERNORSHIP ASPIRANTS REJECT THE ONDO STATE PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS
-
Crime2 weeks agoPolice arrest cultists who killed rival in his daughter’s presence
-
Sports3 weeks agoAsaba to host Wheelchair Basketball Atlantic Conference League
-
Education3 weeks agoUTME: JAMB to refund registration fees to deserving visually-impaired candidates
-
National3 months agoResidents gather to scoop engine oil as tanker falls in Ojuelegba
