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Controversy Emerges Over Cargo Scanners

Published

2 years ago

November 1, 2023

Industry stakeholders have appealed to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Senator Adegboyega Oyetola, not to go ahead with the purported plans aimed at seeking presidential approval that will allow seaport terminal operators take over the function of the scanning of cargo, noting that the idea is not only retrogressive but could cause major reverses in gains already made in the ports industry.

The stakeholders who were reacting to feelers at the just concluded National Dialogue on the theme “Sailing to Success: Harnessing Nigeria’s Maritime Potential”, during which Oyetola reportedly canvassed the decentralization of the cargo scanning system, advised the minister to focus on consultation in the immediate time and leave out pronouncements on critical industry matters.

The minister’s position which supposedly flowed from complaints by industry stakeholders about perceived lack of adequate scanning machines and or identified deficiencies in their management, formed the nucleus of takeaway from the 29th National Economic Summit Group (NESG). Speaking on the efficient administration of the scanning machines during the NESG programme, the National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji, lamented that cargo clearance in Nigerian ports was still a far cry from global standards.

The ANLCA leader noted perceived inconsistency in the rules and guidelines relating to cargo clearing process, like the cancellation of rerouting, generally adjudged by clearing agents and freight forwarders as time saving; as against the prevailing practice where a cargo must arrive before clearance processes commence.

He was also believed to have lamented lack of scanners as well as delays in cargo clearance, all of which he reportedly said engenders corruption and escalates costs of doing business at the port.

However rather than consult more widely on the issue, Oyetola pledged to seek the intervention of the presidency to grant approval for terminal owners to own and operate cargo scanners, despite that the Nigeria Customs Service, last year, spent hundreds of millions of naira to build and install a number of functional scanners across formations and commands of the service.

Stakeholders posit that if the minister’s proposal is allowed to fly, it would cause major reverses in the system.

Foremost customs broker, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, said the best solution should be a careful study of the administration of all the regimes of past cargo scanners, which should serve as guide to making the right decision.
Shittu notes that the Nigeria Customs Service exercise prerogative on the due assessment of scanning results, a position he opined cannot be negotiated or wished away.

“I agree with you, it will bring conflicts and the Customs position in the matter of scanned goods is superior to that of the terminal operators”.

But slightly aligning with the ministerial idea, former National President of NAGAFF, Eugene Nweke, said in global practice, cargo scanners can be operated from anywhere in the world, noting that Nigeria Customs should restrict itself to the interpretation and analysis of scanned images, by having a pool of well trained and professionally knowledgeable men in scanning analysis.

He stated: “You could recall that I already outlined some of these issues in the previous write ups l sent as an advice to then CG Hameed Ali. And my position was that, depending on what the government wants the Customs to achieve with scanner installation, is the objective for security or trade facilitation? If not, professionally scanner can be installed anywhere in the world and scan images transmitted to the Customs at whatever destination, this is the beauty of ICT.

“In this regards, what our Customs should do is to master the act of analysis of scanned images submitted to them to determine the status of goods, where trade facilitation is the objective of scanner installations, if it is security, then, it goes beyond that.

“In the past it was the Scanner Service Providers that operated these scanners, such as Globalscan System, COTECNA, etc. Remember that former CGC, late Abdullahi Diko Inde, had issues with scanner service providers, which led to the management decisions to audit all the installed scanner and these pre-shipment inspection agents worked together and there was no problem until it was discovered that the scanners were all refurbished, and by that time he reported back to the Hon. Minister Okonjo Iweala and the President, the rest is now history.

“So what the minister of marine and blue economy seems to be driving at is to take us back to that era of Scanner Service.”

News

‘Nigeria Proud Way Tinubu Was Buried’ – Akpabio Goofs

Published

4 hours ago

July 23, 2025

Editor

Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday goofed while commending President Bola Tinubu over his role in the burial of his predecessor, the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Akpabio said Nigeria is proud of the way “Tinubu was honored and buried.”

Buhari died in London on July 13 and was flown back to Daura, Katsina State, where he was buried on July 15.

Upon arrival in Daura, Tinubu had led a federal government delegation to receive Buhari’s corpse at the airport. The president was present during the state burial accorded to Buhari.

Speaking, Akpabio said: “The whole country is very proud of what this administration has done in the way and manner President Bola Tinubu was honoured and was buried. President Buhari was honoured and buried rather.

“Distinguish Senator Ningi, you also observed that President Bola Tinubu will not be forgotten for what he did during the burial ceremony of Buhari.

“In the Senate, we are also determined to ensure that in our books, the records say he should also have this valedictory, despite all said and done.”

News

NAFDAC Uncovers Warehouse Loaded With Explosive Chemicals In Kano

Published

4 hours ago

July 23, 2025

Editor

A massive cache of industrial chemicals believed to be capable of producing explosives has been discovered and sealed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Kano State.

The facility, located in Kwakwachi within Fagge Local Government Area, reportedly housed 88,560 litres of hazardous substances—including highly concentrated sulphuric and nitric acids.

Speaking to journalists during an inspection of the site on Wednesday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, described the discovery as deeply alarming.

Prof. Adeyeye was represented at the scene by Dr. Martins Iluyomade, the agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement.

According to Iluyomade, the warehouse was holding 60,000 litres of sulphuric acid (at 90.5% concentration) and 28,560 litres of nitric acid (at 68% concentration). Also discovered were 330 empty jerricans—evidence that some of the chemicals had already been distributed to unknown individuals.

“What we have seen here is mind-boggling, I don’t think I have ever seen this quantity of concentrated nitric and sulphuric acid together in one place like this before,” Adeyeye said.

She explained that it was NAFDAC officials who, acting on a tip-off, traced the warehouse and found it operational. However, only a single staff member—the warehouse manager—was present at the time of the raid. He was immediately taken into custody.

NAFDAC said the person listed as the warehouse’s owner is not recognized as a licensed chemical marketer, which raises further red flags about the nature of the business being conducted.

“The owner is not listed as a chemical marketer. We keep a database to monitor the importation, use, and disposal of such chemicals. These acids are controlled chemicals that are not to be handled by just anybody,” she said.

Adeyeye stressed that importing this category of chemicals is a highly regulated process. It requires security clearance and permits, none of which were available in this case.

“Importing such chemicals requires clearance from the National Security Adviser and permits, none of which the owner possessed.”

“Permit and clearance is important because these chemicals are used to manufacture explosives.”

The volume of substances found in the warehouse, she noted, posed a grave threat to public safety.

“The volume we have here is enough to destroy the whole of Kano if mishandled,” she warned.

With the prime suspect still at large, NAFDAC said it has begun interrogating the arrested warehouse manager to uncover the chain of custody and determine the final destination of the chemicals.

Prof. Adeyeye further assured the public that the seized chemicals would be destroyed in accordance with environmental and safety regulations to prevent any misuse.

News

Nigerians Can Vote You Out In 2027 – Baba-Ahmed Warns Tinubu

Published

4 hours ago

July 23, 2025

Editor

Former presidential aide, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has warned that Nigerians have the power to vote out President Bola Tinubu in 2027 if the election is free and fair.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Baba-Ahmed said the President should focus less on political calculations and more on governance, noting that the electorate will ultimately judge him based on his performance in office.

“The bottom line is that Nigerians are going to say, ‘What have you done with the first four years we gave you?’” he said. “Don’t take us for granted. We can vote you out if the election is free and fair. So show us what you’ve done.”

Baba-Ahmed, who resigned from his government appointment about three months ago, made the remarks while reacting to speculation about a plan to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate in 2027.

He criticised the President’s silence on the rumours, arguing that Tinubu should have personally addressed the issue if it were truly baseless.

“If all these stories about dropping the Vice President have absolutely no iota of truth, it would have taken just one thing: the President directly and personally saying, ‘Stop this nonsense. I have confidence in my Vice President. I work well with him. I am happy with him. And I want this nonsense about me dropping him, now or in the future, to stop,’” he said.

According to Baba-Ahmed, Tinubu’s failure to make such a declaration leaves room for suspicion. “His people didn’t say that. He didn’t say that. So, I would be very curious to find out what it is that makes all these stories about dropping him,” he added.

He concluded by stressing that leadership must be accountable and measurable. “It’s a governance thing that you will take to the electorate at the end. It doesn’t matter what you think you’ve done—all the defections to your party. Nigerians will decide.”