Maritime
AU to tackle Ethics and Integrity in Customs Administrations
ADDIS ABABA – The African Union Commission’s seminar on Integrity and Ethics in Customs administrations kicked off on yesterday in Kigali, Rwanda.
Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry in collaboration with the Rwanda Revenue Authority, experts from the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the African Union Member States, the World Customs Organization (WCO), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the private sector representatives and the representatives of anti-corruption commissions, focused on making recommendations on how best customs administrations in Africa can deal with challenges of implementing effective Integrity and Ethics Programs so as to improve their service delivery. In the three days, experts will also focus on the outcomes of the seminar and inform the Trade Facilitation Cluster of the Action Plan in boosting Intra Africa Trade that was endorsed by the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government through their decision on Boosting Intra-African Trade and Fast tracking the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA).
The objective and scope of the Seminar was to take stock of Integrity and Ethics programs in AU Member States Customs Administrations and to critically examine the challenges of implementing them. In addition, the Seminar will also provide a forum for the exchange and sharing of best practices among and between Member States on various issues regarding the implementation of effective Integrity programs. Participants will be given a chance to examine the options available and interrogate them for suitability for implementation at the Continental level.
In his opening remarks, M. Aly Iboura Moussa, Acting Head of Customs Division for the AUC Department of Trade and Industry, pointed out that Customs administrations are often cited as among the most corrupt of all government agencies. He explained that this is essentially because of the nature of their job. “We are all aware that Customs Administrations world over play a vitally important role in every international trade transaction, and is often the first window through which the world views a country. The implications of unethical behavior in customs on a nation’s capacity to benefit from the expansion of the global economy are obvious. More often than not, investors tend to shun countries perceived to have high levels of corruption”, he said. He also mentioned that quick fix solutions to address integrity and ethics issues do not work, and to effectively tackle the problem, a comprehensive and sustainable approach that addresses the underlying causes and consequences is required. “In addition, there should be political support at the policy level and involvement of the private sector through various mechanisms, for example, having Memorandum of Understandings (M.O.Us) for cooperation and implementation of best practices as well as Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs) programs”, he emphasized.
The Commissioner General for Rwanda Revenue Authority, Mr. Richard Tusabe defined corruption as a two way act that implies a giver and a taker and he admitted that private sector is mostly part of the equation. He revealed that Rwanda is one of the few Africa countries that have managed to relatively combat corruption. “However, despite our achievements, we are open to learn from views of different experts in this seminar, while at the same time keeping our doors open for those who would like to learn from us”, he declared. “I hope this seminar will serve as an interactive platform to share views on challenges met while dealing with the issues of corruptions and come up with possible recommendations to ensure the achievement of integrity and ethics in both our Customs Administrations and partners”, he concluded.
The Seminar is organized on the recommendations of the African Union Sub-Committee of Director Generals of Customs who, at their 4th Ordinary session meeting held in Addis Ababa Ethiopia from 6-7 September 2012, recommended among others that “a continental seminar be held to discuss the issue in depth and produce a more specific Declaration that AU Member States can adhere to and implement.”
The management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has advised International Oil Companies, terminal and jetty operators, and all other companies involved in stevedoring in the country to refrain from engaging unregistered dockworkers.
The information was contained in a statement made available to Biztellers by the Head, Public Relations, NIMASA, Osagie Edward.
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According to the statement, all stakeholders, including dock labour employers and stevedoring companies, are encouraged to apply for new operating licenses or renew expired ones within a 30-day moratorium period.
“This requirement,” it added, “is stipulated by the NIMASA Act of 2007 and outlined in the NIMASA Stevedoring Regulations of 2014, which mandates strict compliance from all maritime operators.”
Osagie cited the Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola as laying emphasis on the need for stakeholders to comply with extant laws and regulations.
Dr Mobereola said, “No terminal or company shall continue to engage the services of unregistered dockworkers for cargo handling at their work locations.
“This move is part of our broader effort to ensure safe and regulated operations within Nigeria’s maritime industry. Compliance with these regulations will enhance our ability to maintain an up-to-date database of dockworkers operating in the country. It also improves our planning processes, as we are committed to developing their capacity to meet globally accepted standards for dockworkers in Nigeria. We intend to enforce full compliance after the moratorium period.”
It was gathered that the NIMASA Act, 2007, Part IX, Section 27, addressed the registration of Dockworkers with focus on Maritime Labour.
“It ensures the Registration, Regulation, and control of Maritime Labour, including dockworkers. The Act assigns the Agency the responsibility of maintaining standards in accordance with international best practices,” Osagie added.
Nigeria has expressed a strong desire to seek election into Category “C” of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council.
The Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, made the disclosure at the 2024 World Maritime Day parallel event in Barcelona, Spain.
Oyetola noted that Nigeria has put in place the basic needs for the development of her maritime industry in line with recognized global best practices.
In his words, “our active participation in upholding key conventions, such as the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, reflects our dedication to ensuring the safety of international shipping.
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There have been no incidents of piracy in the last three years, as confirmed by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). By deploying resources to provide maritime security assets, Nigeria has solidified its role as a key guardian of maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Nigeria remains a valuable source of manpower for the industry. I therefore urge our partners to explore this potential and assist where possible in the best interest of all. Our Maritime Academy has adequate resources and facilities to support this development.
“I am pleased to announce Nigeria’s resolve to seek a Category “C” membership on the Council.
On his part, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, assured that no stone will be left unturned to ensure success in the quest for IMO Category C membership at the next elections.
According to him, “We at NIMASA have met with the IMO technical team and have commenced work on all identified grey areas so that Nigeria can address the gaps identified during the last audit by the IMO.
”We have also commenced the process of effective communication with other member states using the IMO GSIS platform, among others. While we at NIMASA focus on the technical aspects of the preparations, our supervising Ministry will provide the political will to guide Nigeria back to the Council at the IMO.”
Oyetola, who held engagement sessions with the IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez and other diplomats, was accompanied on the working tour by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola; the Director General of the NIMASA; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; the Managing Director of NIWA, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji; and the Director of Maritime Safety and Security Services, Mr. Babatunde Bombata.
This year’s parallel event with the theme: Navigating the Future: Safety First, brought together international maritime leaders and experts to discuss future challenges and opportunities, with the aim of ensuring that safety is prioritized in the day-to-day operations of the global maritime sector.
The adoption of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model is essential for the infrastructural development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
This is the view of the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola.
The DG, shared his views while hosting the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh.
He emphasized the importance of the Commission’s increased involvement in attracting private investors to develop infrastructural capacity in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
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Dr. Mobereola said, “We appreciate the Management of the ICRC for being responsive. However, you know that the maritime sector is capital intensive and government funds cannot solely put in place the required infrastructure. We need the ICRC to develop PPP based business models that will be attractive to the private sector both from within and outside the country.
“There is the need to streamline processes by the use of technology, as we will continue to count on the support of ICRC to help drive the Agency’s PPP projects for effective and efficient service delivery to our stakeholders”.
Lending support to Dr. Mobereola’s views, Dr. Ewalefoh, underscored the significance of the maritime sector to Nigeria’s economy.
He noted that the PPP model would facilitate increased funding and expertise from the private sector, thereby accelerating the growth and development of the Nigerian maritime sector. Additionally, he stated that the ICRC is prepared to engage with the Agency on its projects and ensure timely execution.
“There is no time to waste; our country needs lots of funding for infrastructure and we need to create an enabling environment for activities to thrive. First, is service delivery, not revenue generation, and people will be willing to pay if they get the right services”, the ICRC boss noted.
The PPP model has proven to be the most viable approach worldwide for driving government policies that promote development and economic growth.
Biztellers reports that as a regulatory agency and Nigeria’s Maritime Administrator, the NIMASA has consistently embraced collaboration and partnership through the PPP initiative to ensure the growth and development of the maritime sector.
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