shippingposition
  • Home
  • News
  • Editorial
    • Vox Pop
  • Maritime safety
  • Oil and Gas
  • Personality
  • Health
No Result
View All Result
shippingposition

Home » Stakeholders Allege Gratifications Behind SON’s Lobby To Return To Seaports

Stakeholders Allege Gratifications Behind SON’s Lobby To Return To Seaports

by Joshua
May 3, 2021
in Featured, News

Stakeholders in the nation’s maritime Industry have alleged that the quest for the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to return to the seaports is borne out of the organization desire to benefit from gifts and gratifications given to agencies in the port.

The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has been pushing for a return to the seaport following its eviction from the port. Its Director General, Malam Farouk Salim recently urged the Federal Government to allow the agency return to the nation’s ports. He explained that the move would help the organisation to effectively check influx of substandard products into the country as trading progresses under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The DG’s call is coming after almost a decade after the eviction of several government agencies from the ports, in what the then-minister of Finance; Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as the need to fast-track port processes at a time the ports were battling congestion, delays in cargo clearing.

However, reacting to the development, some freight forwarders in the nation’s maritime industry alleged that the push to return SON to the seaport will further increase the level of corruption and jeopardize the ease of doing business initiative of the federal government.

Some of the freight forwarders alleged that officers of SON have been pushing to return to the port in order for them to be partakers of the gifts and gratifications that come along with being in the port. This is even as others insist that their return will not be possible, except if the National Assembly changes the Act which establishes the SON.

Speaking to our correspondent, Mr. Adaramodu Boluwatife, a customs licensed agent at the PTML Command said “why are they pushing for return back to the seaport, it means there is something they are benefiting when they were in the port that they can benefit from again, are you telling me that since they left the port, they have not been able to carry out their duties”.

“We are still looking for how to reduce the number of agencies at the port and they are still pushing for a return. As journalist, you must investigate why they want to return, what is that thing in the port, that is making all of them fighting to be in the port, we know some of them have become supermarkets owners as a result of collecting samples of products that come into the country without returning it back. These are some of the reasons, what else are they fighting for, human contacts breed corruption, and as long as we continue to allow human interface, it will be difficult to reduce corruption in the port.

“Let’s have a digitized port, where all things are done electronically, we can’t keep living in the old era, for me I will not support their return to port, I will even ask that the government should do all its best to reduce the number of the agencies we have presently at the port”, he said.

Speaking also, the National Coordinator of the Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders Importers and Exporters Coalition (SNFFIEC) Dr. Osita Chukwu, also kicked against the return why stating that the organization can only return if the law is amended, he noted that the push for SON to return to the seaport is not in line with the Act that established the organization.

According to him, “it’s not in line with the establishment of SON; except otherwise they want to do what is called abracadabra in law, SON cannot be in the port, SON should be in the office just like other agencies, there is no way SON can come back to the port except they go to the National Assembly to amend the Act, if they don’t amend the law they can’t come, every movement of every agencies is based on the Act or the amendment of the law”, he stated.

Also speaking the Vice President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Dr. Kayode Farinto, however stated that there may be need to have a rethink regarding the exit of SON from the port.

According to him, the absence of the SON at the port has led to influx of substandard goods in the country, he however singled out Tin Can Customs command as one of the few Customs command that don’t joke with SON alert.

In his words: “It is an issue that I am studying and honestly I think it’s an issue I believe we need to have a rethink, you see whether SON is in the port or not in the port, if we have attitudinal change, it won’t be an issue, if all the agencies work hand-in-hand, we will not have the issue of substandard goods in the country, because we always have one challenge or the other, because we have heard where even SON will alert goods and will alleged that such goods have been released, and I know that Customs in some port don’t play with SON alert, an example is Tin Can Customs Command, the Comptroller has warned his officers that on no occasion should they release any goods on SON alert, so for Tin Can I know they don’t joke with SON alert, so I am still studying it, and very soon I will give my verdict”, he said

On his part the founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Boniface Anioebonam stated that it is not SON that is clamoring for its return, but that freight forwarders want them return to the seaport.

He said, “Standards Organization of Nigeria is not clamoring to come back to the port, it is the freight forwarders that are asking for their return to the port. It is not about them, it is about us, we are the one doing the business and we are not happy, our job is to move cargoes out of Customs control to the owner’s warehouse and on the road, these containers are picked up and our jobs are not concluded and we lose our investment in terms of money

“Some of us who finance our transactions and no importer will pay you unless you deliver the cargo to his warehouse, if you have not gotten there the contract is not finished, so other than this why not; NAFDAC is in the port, NDLEA is in the port why not standard organization , they even have a larger scope of assignment to do in terms of quality assurance, so I don’t know the politics that is being added to what they are doing”.


Tags: SONStakeholders

Related Posts

People & Places To Watch In The Maritime Industry In 2025

FRONT PAGE COMMENT: Adewale Adeniyi: Two Years of Steady Hands at the Helm of Nigeria Customs

June 30, 2025
My Government Will Re-Activate Gas Revolution Industrial Park Project – Tinubu

Tinubu Hails Customs CG’s WCO Council Election

June 30, 2025
Shippers’ Council Seeks Quick Resolution Of Legal, Operational Issues At Kaduna Dry Port

FG To Begin Boat Manufacturing, Phase Out Rickety Vessels –Shippers Council

June 30, 2025
Exporters, Stakeholders Warn of Economic Pitfalls Despite Surge in Exports

Nigerian Exporters Reject AfCFTA over Poor Infrastructure, Dollar Dependence, Policy Gaps  

June 30, 2025

Discussion about this post

Latest News

People & Places To Watch In The Maritime Industry In 2025

FRONT PAGE COMMENT: Adewale Adeniyi: Two Years of Steady Hands at the Helm of Nigeria Customs

June 30, 2025

Despite ₦5.17trn Surplus, Dollar Dominates Nigeria-China Trade As Naira-Yuan Swap Struggles

Tinubu Hails Customs CG’s WCO Council Election

FG To Begin Boat Manufacturing, Phase Out Rickety Vessels –Shippers Council

Nigerian Exporters Reject AfCFTA over Poor Infrastructure, Dollar Dependence, Policy Gaps  

Stakeholders Decry Power Tussle Over Wreck Removal, Demand Transparency from NIMASA on Sea Protection Levies 

LASWA to Introduce 70 Electric-Powered Boats to Enhance Waterway Safety, Targets 100,000 Daily Passengers

For The Sake Of Nigerian Seafarers

INTERVIEW: “Nigeria has a very good chance of winning the IMO Council seat”—Dr. Paul Adalikwu

Mawani Grants SGP Four 20-Year Port Concessions

Ningbo-Zhoushan Container Volumes Hit New Record In H1

IMO Agrees To Start Revision Of Outdated Regulations For Nuclear-Powered Ships

kindly like our Facebook page

Health

Contraceptive Pills Can’t Cause Cervical Cancer – Expert
Health

Contraceptive Pills Can’t Cause Cervical Cancer – Expert

June 30, 2025

Mrs Roseline Akinlabi, Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health Desk Officer, Osun Primary Healthcare Board, says contraceptive pills cannot cause...

ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

KNOW YOUR BODY PARTS: The Liver The liver is a vital organ located in the right upper abdomen, playing a crucial role in metabolism, detoxification, and digestion. It’s the largest solid organ in the body and is responsible for filtering blood, maintaining blood sugar levels, regulating clotting, and synthesizing essential proteins. The liver also stores energy, removes toxins, and produces bile, which aids in digestion Liver functions: · Metabolism and Detoxification: The liver processes nutrients from the blood, breaks down and balances them, and creates essential substances for the body. It detoxifies harmful substances like drugs and alcohol, converting them into less toxic forms for excretion. The liver plays a role in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. It stores glycogen (a form of glucose) and vitamins, releasing them when the body needs them. · Digestion: The liver produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine to help digest fats. Bile also helps in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. · Blood Regulation: The liver regulates blood sugar levels by storing and releasing glucose. It synthesizes clotting factors, which are essential for blood clotting. It removes old red blood cells and processes bilirubin, a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown. · Other Functions: The liver plays a role in immunity, helping to fight off infections. It produces proteins that are involved in the immune response. The liver also stores iron and other essential minerals. Frequently Asked Questions About The Liver · What are the first signs of a bad liver? The initial signs of liver problems can be vague and subtle, often including fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite. As the liver’s condition worsens, more specific symptoms may emerge, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), itchy skin, dark urine, and light-colored stools. Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right quadrant, can also indicate liver issues. · Where do you feel liver pain? Liver pain is typically felt in the upper right abdomen, just beneath the rib cage. It can manifest as a dull, throbbing pain, a stabbing sensation, or a general feeling of discomfort in that area. In some cases, liver pain might be felt as an ache in the right shoulder or back. · What does liver pain feel like? How liver pain feels can vary from person to person, depending on the cause. However, most people often develop one or more of the following symptoms: Dull, persistent aches in the upper abdomen A feeling of fullness or bloating Sharp, stabbing pains that come and go Tenderness when the upper abdomen is touched · What is the best way to cleanse your liver? If you haven’t been working out, start indulging in a regular exercise regime to allow the toxins to come out of your body. Yoga, going running, hitting the gym, or a simple sauna session can also prove effective. If you want a natural liver cleanse, sweating is the way to go. · How to know if the liver is swollen? What are the symptoms of an enlarged liver? You likely won’t notice an enlarged liver on your own. In some severe cases, you might notice a feeling of bloating or fullness in your belly or an ache in your upper right abdomen. · What is the best drink to flush your liver? Many citrus fruits, including lemon, can be added to water to help stimulate and flush out the liver. Lemons are high in nutrients like vitamin C and antioxidants

June 16, 2025
ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

June 16, 2025
Why Prostate Disorder Cases Are Increasing Among Nigerian Men – Experts

Why Prostate Disorder Cases Are Increasing Among Nigerian Men – Experts

June 1, 2025
20m Nigerians Live With Mental Health Issues, Says WHO

20m Nigerians Live With Mental Health Issues, Says WHO

June 1, 2025
Health Facts You Didn’t Know

How Your Habit Affects Fertility

May 19, 2025
Fruits For Raining Season

Fruits For Raining Season

May 19, 2025
See Mental Illness Like Other Treatable Diseases – Says Suicide Survivor

Health Facts You Didn’t Know

May 19, 2025
Alligator Pepper: Benefits, FAQ, Side Effects, & Warning

Alligator Pepper: Benefits, FAQ, Side Effects, & Warning

April 28, 2025
Water And Health: The Relationship That Helps Life

Water And Health: The Relationship That Helps Life

April 28, 2025

© 2021 Shippingposition

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Coast To Coast
  • Oil and Gas
  • Maritime Education
  • The Terminals
  • Maritime safety

© 2021 Shippingposition