News

Licensed Customs Agents report Terminal Operators, Shipping Companies to Tinubu

Published

12 months ago

September 3, 2024

OCHEFA

62 Views

The National Council of Managing Directors Of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) has requested President Bola Tinubu to compel the Terminal Operators and shipping company to refund the money wrongly collected from the Importer/Licensed Customs Agents(LCA) on goods imported into the country during the COVID 19 lockdown for (35) thirty five days.

NCMDLCA in a letter to President Tinubu, dated August 24, and signed by Lucky Eyis Amiwero, its National President , said :

” We once more inform the Federal Government that the waiver on demurrage and rent waiver has not been refunded by the Terminal Operators and Shipping companies as directed by the Federal Government.

“This was Five years after, the waiver wrongly and forcefully collected by the Terminals operators and shipping companies, nothing have been refunded to the Importer as directed by the Presidency, all process was suspended due to refusal of the terminal Operators to refund the thirty five(35) days waiver wrongfully collected, Furthermore, records of Invoice wrongly paid by Importers/Licensed Customs Agents (LCA) to the Terminal Operators, are all forwarded to Nigerian Ports Authority since 2020, as the agency responsible to coordinate the implementation of COVID 19 relief reconciliation with the Terminal operators.”

The letter is titled RE: REFUSAL TO REFUND THE (35) DAYS WAIVER APPROVED BY THE PRESIDENCY ON COVID 19 LOCKDOWN PANDEMIC ON DEMURRAGE AND RENT BY TERMINAL OPERATORS AND SHIPPING COMPANIES FOR THE RELIEF TO IMPORTERS AND LICENSED CUSTOMS AGENTS(LCA) AFTER FIVE (5) YEARS WITHOUT COMPLIANCE.Lucky Amiwero noted that the Presidential Directive on COVID 19 Pandemic, for the waiver of demurrage by Shipping Companies and rent by Terminal operators as conversed , was necessitated by the following: (a)The Licensed Customs Agents(LCA) who are facilitators of Clearance, could not gain access to the Port and Bonded Terminal during the restricted period

(b)The Banks Closure, that is key to agents Transaction, was not operational(c)The Licensed Agents Could not access the Shipping Companies due to closure

(d)The Agent cannot access NAFDAC, SON, and other Government Agencies to process their regulatory requirements to facilitate clearance from the Port

(e)No transport or shuttle bus to move agents to their area of operation due to restriction of movement of persons globally, in line with the principle of force- majeure.

News

NAFDAC : Fake Cowbell Milk in circulation

Risks include foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions, and organ damage, and in severe cases, death.

Published

14 hours ago

August 22, 2025

OCHEFA

23 Views

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) advises Nigerians to be vigilant and avoid purchasing counterfeit 12g Cowbell “Our Milk” sachets circulating across the country.

In a statement issued on Friday, the agency explained that the counterfeit product imitates the discontinued Cowbell “Our Milk” packaging, which Promasidor Nigeria Ltd stopped producing in September 2023.

The legitimate product was replaced with Cowbell “Our Creamy Goodness.”

The fake sachets unlawfully bear the Cowbell brand name, NAFDAC registration number and packaging design, despite not being manufactured or distributed by Promasidor.

The counterfeit products currently in circulation are imitations of the discontinued ‘Our Milk’ packaging and are not manufactured or distributed by Promasidor,” the agency stated.

“They bear unauthorised use of the brand name, NAFDAC Registration Number, and packaging design.”

The regulator raised concerns over the health risks posed by the counterfeit product.

“Risk Statement: Consumption of counterfeit milk poses serious health hazards, including exposure to toxic chemicals, unapproved additives, or diluted ingredients.

Risks include foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions, and organ damage, and in severe cases, death.

Infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable,” NAFDAC warned.

News

Japan designates the city of Kisarazu for Nigerians to live and work

Through this arrangement, we aim to strengthen exchanges and create a foundation for manpower development that will contribute to economic growth in both Japan and Nigeria,” said Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador to Japan.

Published

20 hours ago

August 22, 2025

OhiBaba

27 Views

The Japanese government has designated the city of Kisarazu as the official “hometown” for Nigerians seeking to live and work in Japan

Japan also unveiled similar hometown designations for Tanzania, Ghana, and Mozambique in Nagai, Sanjo, and Imabari, respectively.

The announcement was made on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9), a move aimed at deepening cultural diplomacy, promoting economic growth, and enhancing workforce productivity.

Under the new arrangement, the Japanese government will introduce a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented Nigerian youth. Artisans and other blue-collar workers willing to upskill will also be eligible to live and work in Kisarazu under the special visa dispensation.

“Through this arrangement, we aim to strengthen exchanges and create a foundation for manpower development that will contribute to economic growth in both Japan and Nigeria,” said Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador to Japan.

The designation of Kisarazu builds on historical ties between Nigeria and the city.

The Nigerian Olympic contingent trained in Kisarazu during preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where athletes acclimatised before moving to the Olympic Village.

Mayor Yoshikuni Watanabe of Kisarazu, who received the certificate from the Japanese government alongside Mrs. Adeseke, expressed optimism that the initiative would boost the city’s population and contribute to regional revitalisation efforts.

News

BREAKING: FG, state, local governments share N2.001trn July revenue

Published

23 hours ago

August 22, 2025

Charles Flames

37 Views

The three tiers of government—federal, state, and local—shared a total of N2.001 trillion from the Federation Account as revenue for the month of July 2025, according to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

The allocation was made during the FAAC meeting held in August 2025 in Abuja, with details released in an official communiqué.

The distributable revenue included:

N1.282 trillion in statutory revenue
N640.610 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT)
N37.601 billion from Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL)
N39.745 billion from exchange rate difference

Out of the total distributed funds:

The Federal Government received N735.081 billion
State Governments received N660.349 billion
Local Government Councils received N485.039 billion
N120.359 billion was shared to oil-producing states as 13% derivation revenue

Revenue Breakdown:

Statutory Revenue (N1.282 trillion):

FG: N613.805 billion
States: N311.330 billion
LGs: N240.023 billion
13% Derivation: N117.714 billion

VAT (N640.610 billion):

FG: N96.092 billion
States: N320.305 billion
LGs: N224.214 billion

EMTL (N37.601 billion):

FG: N5.640 billion
States: N18.801 billion
LGs: N13.160 billion

Exchange Gains (N39.745 billion):

FG: N19.544 billion
States: N9.913 billion
LGs: N7.643 billion
13% Derivation: N2.643 billion

The total gross revenue for July was N3.836 trillion, down from N3.485 trillion in June. Cost of collection deductions amounted to N152.681 billion, while N1.683 trillion was allocated for transfers, refunds, savings, and interventions.

FAAC noted improved collections from Petroleum Profit Tax, Oil and Gas Royalties, EMTL, and Excise Duties, while Companies Income Tax and CET Levies declined slightly. VAT and Import Duties saw marginal growth.

The committee reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency in the allocation of national revenues across all levels of government.