Maritime

Review Cabotage Act, N’Assembly Urged

Published

14 years ago

March 29, 2012

Chief Chris Asoluka, a maritime lawyer, last Tuesday, urged the National Assembly to review the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act, otherwise known as Cabotage Act.

Asoluka, who presided over a one-day sensitisation forum on Cabotage Act in Lagos, said the National Assembly should remove ambiguities and reinforce the Act where necessary.

“After some nine years, the Act was enacted with much fanfare it would appear that we are yet to reap the anticipated benefits of the Act.

“Secondly, it has become crucial, even for the purpose of legislative oversight that the national assembly should seek to review that piece of legislation, removing as it were noticeable ambiguities, imprecision and areas of conflicts with other sister agencies as well as reinforcing it where necessary.’’

Asoluka wondered why the implementation of the National Shipping Policy, especially the Cabotage Act failed in catalysing shipping development in the country.

The maritime lawyer said that the National Shipping Policy ended up as ‘an abysmal failure’, claiming that the cargo support programme was grossly abused and yielded no impact in terms of improving indigenous participation in the carriage of cargo.

According to him, the National Fleet Expansion Scheme equally failed with the result that the national fleet recorded a decrease and the maritime manpower situation and standard also declined.

He said the situation worsened with the depleting number and quality of seafarers.

“The Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, was enacted primarily to re-direct national shipping policy thrust or focus from international shipping to coastal or domestic trade.

“So after nine years of enactment and eight years of implementation, one may now ask: why has cabotage regime introduced by the Act failed to empower the Nigerian indigenous shipping?

“Could it be because Nigeria lacks requisite maritime potential and indeed has yet to develop a maritime culture?”

However, in a keynote address, Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi, the Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said the agency had recorded modest achievements in cabotage.

Akpobolokemi, who was represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr Adeniran Aderogba, said seven years into operation, cabotage regime was actually improving the participation of Nigerians in the nation’s maritime activities.

“This is not to suggest that we are satisfied with the level we are in the implementation of cabotage, we can do better.’’

In a remark, Mr Ibrahim Zailani, NIMASA Executive Director, Cabotage Services and Maritime Labour, said the promotion of public awareness and enforcement strategies of cabotage required the involvement of all stakeholders.

According to Zailani, co-operation, exchange and supply of information and intelligence between key stakeholders is paramount if cabotage is to be a channel for economic advancement and shared prosperity.

Maritime

Maritime PCRC Seeks Intelligence Sharing With Western Ports Police

Published

3 days ago

February 9, 2026

The Tide

The Maritime Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has called for stronger intelligence sharing and collaboration with the Ports Authority Police (Western) Command to enhance security across Nigeria’s Western ports.

The called was made during the official visit by members, Maritime PCRC to Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja, at the Command Headquarters in Lagos.

The visit was aimed at deepening the partnership between the Nigeria Police Force and port stakeholders through the PCRC, while reinforcing community-based policing as a strategy for safeguarding critical national assets and port facilities.

Speaking during the visit Chairman, Maritime PCRC, Elder Udoh George, commended the Commissioner of Police Oluwatoyin Agbaminoja for her proactive leadership and professionalism in maintaining security within the port environment. He noted that intelligence-driven policing remains critical to crime prevention in the maritime sector, stressing that the Committee is ready to support the Command through timely information sharing and stakeholder engagement.

According to him, the PCRC will continue to work closely with the police in crime prevention, intelligence gathering and community mobilisation, in order to promote peace and operational efficiency at the ports.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Police Agbaminoja appreciated the visit and described the PCRC as a vital bridge between the police and the port community.

She said effective policing thrives on trust, cooperation and the active participation of stakeholders.

Oluwatoyin assured the Committee of the Command’s readiness to sustain collaboration, noting that consistent engagement with port users and adjoining communities is key to maintaining security, orderliness and uninterrupted port operations.

By: CHINEDU WOSU

Maritime

Customs Hands Over Seized Cannabis Worths N4.7bn To NDLEA

Published

3 days ago

February 9, 2026

The Tide

The Customs Command in Tincan Island, Lagos, has handed over 2,366 packs of cannabis indica, valued at over N4.7 billion, to the NDLEA.

The seizure comprised of a 40-feet container holding 55 jumbo bags of cannabis indica intercepted during routine enforcement operations at the port.

Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, disclosed this in a Statement issued by the Command’s Spokesperson Oscar Ivara.and copied Newsmen

Speaking during the handover, Onyeka said officers acted in line with global standards on border protection and public safety.

“Today, we inform you of developments in securing our borders, aligning with the 2026 International Customs Day theme of vigilance and commitment,” he said.

Onyeka said the container was examined on Jan. 28, 2026 alongside NDLEA and DSS operatives, following intelligence-led profiling.

“A 40-feet container was found to contain 2,366 packs in 55 jumbo bags of cannabis indica,” he said.

He added that officers also discovered a Colt MK IV .45 calibre pistol with an empty magazine inside the container.

According to him, three used vehicles were deployed to conceal the prohibited items, including a Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Sienna and Toyota Matrix.

“Interestingly, we apprehended one suspect in connection with the seizure,” Onyeka said.

He warned that Customs would not tolerate drug smuggling or transnational crime threatening national security and public health.

Receiving the consignment, NDLEA Commander, Solomon Omotoso, commended Customs for strong inter-agency collaboration.

Omotoso assured that the NDLEA would intensify investigations and prosecution in line with existing laws.

By: CHINEDU WOSU

Maritime

Customs Hands Over Three 21 Ft Containers of Expired Drugs To NAFDAC

Published

3 days ago

February 9, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Customs Service, Tincan Island command, has handed over Three Containers of expired drugs drugs to NAFDAC.

Customs Area Controller at Tincan Island, Comptroller Frank Onyeka disclosed this during the formal handover in Lagos

According to him,”Today marks the formal handover of three 20ft containers of expired pharmaceutical products to NAFDAC for appropriate regulatory action,”

Onyeka explained that two containers, numbered PONU031958/6 and MSKU711656/0, were found to contain expired Tramadol tablets.

He said detailed examination revealed that one container held 86 cartons of Vingil Tramadol BP 50mg, while the second contained 250 cartons of the same expired product.

The third container, MSKU413519/1, contained 370 cartons of expired Diclofenac Sodium BP 50mg tablets without a valid NAFDAC registration number.

“This consignment is illegal and dangerous for public consumption,” Onyeka warned, stressing the public health risk posed by such drugs.

Beyond seizures, Onyeka said Tincan Island Customs had improved cargo examinations, intelligence gathering, and enforcement operations to intercept prohibited and falsely declared goods.

“The Command proactively intercepts controlled pharmaceuticals, arms, ammunition, narcotics, and items threatening public safety and economic stability,”

Onyeka reaffirmed the command’s commitment to public health and national security, pledging a tougher crackdown on illicit drugs across the nation.

On his achievements, he said the Command enforced the anti-smuggling drive, safeguarding public health and national security.

He explained that enforcement is strengthened while facilitating legitimate trade, contributing significantly to revenue generation, in line with Customs’ core mandate.

“These achievements result from discipline, integrity, and strong inter-agency collaboration,” he added, highlighting the strategies behind successful operations.

Onyeka commended NAFDAC for its cooperation, noting that their synergy helps prevent fake, substandard, and expired drugs from reaching the public.

He assured that collaboration with NAFDAC would continue to intercept dangerous pharmaceuticals before they enter the Nigerian market.

Onyeka lauded the officers for their dedication, describing their efforts as key to the command’s credibility and operational effectiveness.

He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for leadership and reforms empowering customs operations nationwide.

“Our command will not relent in combating illicit trade and enforcing compliance with existing laws,” Onyeka said.

He promised continued collaboration with sister agencies to safeguard lives and property across Nigeria.

Receiving the drugs, NAFDAC Chief Regulatory Officer, Kareem Adekunle, said the expired products would be destroyed by burning.

Adekunle commended Customs for their exemplary collaboration and pledged continued partnership to protect Nigerians’ health.

By: CHINEDU WOSU