The Federal Government has commenced restructuring of the Nigerian Ship Registration Office in a bid to prevent the entry of unseaworthy and sub-standard ships into the Nigerian flag.
Assistant Director, Public Relations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Edward Osagie, in a statement, said the agency has commenced issuance of new certificates of ship registration while simultaneously phasing out the old permits.
The new regulation, which took effect from July 1, involves the Certificate of Nigerian Registry, Provisional Certificate of Registry, Certificate of Nigerian Registry for Bareboat Chartered Vessel, Fishing Boat and Certificate of Cabotage Ship Registry for Wholly Owned Nigerian Vessel, among others.
The Certificate of Cabotage Ship Registry for Bareboat Chartered Vessel; and Foreign Owned Vessels are also affected. Others are Certificate of Cabotage Ship Registry for Joint Venture Owned Vessel, Deletion Certificate, Bill of Sale and Transcript of Registry.
The Certificate of Mortgage to Secure Account Current and Certificate of Freedom of Encumbrance has also been changed.
He noted that all existing certificates issued by the registrar of ships before the commencement of the new regulation remain valid and should be carried onboard vessels until their expiration. But vessel owners or masters may apply for the issuance of their existing certificates.
Apapa Customs generates N366bn, seizes 46 containers
Meanwhile, Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday said it generated a total of N366 billion for the half year 2021, which represents 61 per cent increase compared to the N227 billion collected in the first half of 2020.
Speaking at a briefing, Customs Area Controller Apapa Command, Yusuf Malanta Ibrahim, said the revenue was collected between January and June 2021, adding that the command also seized 46 containers during the same period.
According to him, the Command also generated a revenue of N78.4 billion in the month of Jun, which clearly shows an increase of over 90 per cent compared to the N42.4 billion collected in the corresponding month under review.
He added that spectacular achievement was made possible by its officers’ resilience and commitment in ensuring collections of appropriate revenue, robust stakeholders’ engagement and seamless facilitation of compliant trade.
All these importations are contrary to the provision of sections 46 & 47 of Customs and Excise Management Act CAP C45 LFN 2004 and Customs & Excise Notices No.1491,” he explained.
