The Chairman , Nigerians Against Theft In the Maritime Sector (NATIMS), Dr. Jonas Bankole, on Monday said some private jetty operators still allowed illegal discharge by ships in their terminals.
Bankole made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen in Lagos. He said that the development constituted a major revenue leakage for the Federal Government. Bankole said that the practice was totally against the rules and regulations of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
He said that two of such incidents happened in Lagos in December 2015 and January 2016. Bankole said the maritime regulatory agencies meant to monitor activities in the industry and ensure adherence to laws, rules and regulations did not perform their functions.
He said that a vessel, `MV Drago J’ reportedly carrying 470 TEUs (20 ft equivalent units) of containers berthed directly at the Snake Island Integrated Free Zone in Apapa, Lagos, on Jan. 20, 2016.
According to him, the vessel which had the status of “no port report’’ three days after arrival, berthed at Nigerdock Ltd.
Bankole said that another vessel, MV Thorco Clairvaux, berthed at Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL) terminal on Dec. 16, 2015. He said that the presence of the vessel at LADOL terminal was brought to the attention of the Comptroller-General of NCS, Retired Col. Hameed Ali, who ordered that the ship be seized.
Bankole said that the comptroller-general’s order was ignored, adding that the ship was not only released but had its cargo discharged. He urged the Federal Government to ensure that rules and regulations were enforced in the maritime sector for the nation to reap maximum benefits from the numerous transactions in the industry.
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