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Disengaged Dock Workers Suspend Protest

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14 years ago

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Disengaged dockworkers of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Port Harcourt Port that embarked on a peaceful protest on Monday following the non-payment of their entitlements since 1991 has suspended their protest and gave the management seven days ultimatum to work out the modalities for payment or to think a next line of action.

The protest was suspended as a result of the outcome of a meeting between the NPA Management and the union leaders of the aggrieved former workers held in Lagos and agreed to settled all their entitlements in the shortest possible time.

The Tide correspondent reports that the retrenched dockworkers numbering over 200 gathered at the entrance of the NPA, Port Harcourt Port Complex last Monday to protest against the inhuman treatment the management had been given to them, but decided to shelve their plans when their leaders after a deliberation with the authorities asked them to suspend their planned action as the authorities have accepted to meet up their demands.

Our correspondent further reports that during the protest last Monday, the branch Vice Chairman of the disengaged Dockworkers in Port Harcourt, Mr Okon David Okponung lamented over the plight of the members said several attempts made for the management to pay them their entitlement failed before they took them to High court in Lagos in 1996 and later to the Supreme Court, where on May 11, 2007, the presiding judge also ruled in their favour and ordered the NPA management to pay the retrenched workers their benefits including pension and gratuity, but that since after the judgement, the management refused to comply with the order.

It was also learnt that the case was also brought before the Attorney General and Miniser of Justice, Muhammed Bello Adoke, who requested the management of NPA to furnish him with details of payment modalities, his request was also turned down.

A similar protest was embarked upon on December 19, 2011 nationwide where the disengaged workers blocked entrances to the NPA gates, paralyzing work at the various ports.

Narrating their ordeals to The Tide correspondent during last Monday peaceful protest, some of the retrenched workers said it had been untold hardship and suffering for their families as they have no other means of survival.

Mr Acapu Thompson, a former Assistant fitter of Engineering Department of NPA, said the non-payment of their entitlements has seriously affected his daily living as he cannot even send his children to university because the wife who had been catering for the family up keep could not afford and appealed to the management to consider their plight.

A 57 year old former management services and development department staff, under Container Terminal as senior clerical officer, Mr Benard Ebom, who lost his wife, Olivia on January 13, last year due to the hardship also pleaded with the authority to obey the Supreme Court Judgement and pay their entitlements.

It was gathered that June 18, 2012 marks 21 years two weeks since their retrenched and over nine of their members lost their lives within this year because of hardship, as some have been thrown out of their rented houses.

 

Collins Barasimeye

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Maritime

ANLCA BOSS LAUDS NATIONAL SINGLE WINDOW READINESS DURING LAGOS TRAINING 

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1 week ago

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March 2, 2026

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The National Vice President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Prince Olusegun Oduntan on Thursday paid an observational visit to the National Single Window End- User Training session held in Ikeja, Lagos.
The visit served as an assessment of the ongoing nationwide training program by the NSW committee, which is currently preparing stakeholders across Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt for the official launch scheduled for March 27,2026.
Prince Oduntan who participated during the live training also witnessed clearing agents and importers undergo hands-on session.
The Lagos hub, being the nation’s busiest maritime centre is a focal point for the NSW committee’s efforts to ensure that the March transition is seamless and free of operational hitches.
Speaking at the venue, Oduntan expressed satisfaction with the practical approach of the training.
He emphasized that the National Single Window would drastically reduced cargo clearance processing time and enhance transparency across the supply chain.
” Lagos is the heartbeat of Nigerian trade, and seeing our members here in Ikeja, mastering this system is encouraging. It will equip our members with the practical skills needed to navigate the digital platform. We are fully alligned with the March 27 launch date, ” he said.
The NSW committee has continued to urge all clearing agents and importers in the Lagos zone to participate in the remaining sessions of the training, which runs February 16 to March 13 to ensure no one is left behind in the digital shift.
By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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Maritime

NSC COLLABORATES POLICE FOR STRONGER INTELLIGENCE SHARING 

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1 week ago

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March 2, 2026

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The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council ( NSC) Dr. Pius Akutah has again expressed concerns over the arrest of duly cleared containers by Port Police, stressing the need to strengthen collaboration through intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement strategies to avoid delays in cargo movement.
 Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Council by the Commissioner of Police, Port Authority Police (Western) Command, CP, Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja, in Lagos on Thursday, Akutah emphasized that both the Council and the Police operate within the same port environment, making synergy essential for efficiency and national economic growth.
 Dr. Akutah called for improved intelligence sharing and stronger stakeholders engagement, noting that effective collaboration would help reduce cargo dwell time and eliminate unnecessary disruptions.
 He added that sustained collaboration would promote seamless cargo movement, enhance regulatory enforcement, and strengthen Nigeria’s port competitiveness.
 He urged both agencies to jointly review police alert mechanisms and work together to curb insecurity within the ports.
 Earlier speaking, the Police Commissioner, Agbaminoja, described the Council as a key institution in Nigeria’s maritime governance structure and reiterated the Command’s commitment to providing adequate security for port users and infrastructure.
 She assured the Council’s management of the Command’s readiness to enhance cooperation in tackling emerging security threats and operational challenges within the port system.
 According to her, the Command remains ready to support the Council in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities, particularly in dispute resolution, enforcement of lawful activities, port user protection and monitoring of cargo movement within the port corridor.
 Both institutions agreed that sustained collaboration would promote seamless cargo movement, enhance regulatory enforcement, and strengthen Nigeria’s port competitiveness.
[2/28, 11:43 AM] nmcdominic: SEME CUSTOMS EARNS N3.48BN IN FEBRUARY
By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
28/02/2026
The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has generated over N3.48billion in revenue for February 2026, despite the month still being ongoing, signaling a sharp rise in trade activities along the Seme – Krake corridor.
Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Wale Adenuga, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting with cross-border traders and farmers held in Badagry recently.
The event was organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, the ECOWAS Agricultural Trade Programme and GIZ.
Adenuga, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the revenue performance marks a significant increase compared to the N743.70million recorded in February 2025.
“For this February that has not yet  ended, we have already generated N3.48billion as against N743,698,652.16 revenue generated in February 2025. This clearly shows that the flow of trade is getting better and people are building greater confidence in the Seme–Krake corridor,” he stated.
The CAC attributed the surge largely to improved and seamless trade facilitation processes introduced at the Command, as well as enhanced collaboration among security agencies operating within the Lagos – Abidjan corridor.
He noted that the reduction in checkpoints along the Seme – Gbaji axis was the result of sustained inter-agency cooperation, clarifying that only Agbara and Gbaji remain officially approved Customs checkpoints along the route.
Adenuga also linked the decline in crime rates within the corridor to monthly joint border security meetings involving all relevant agencies at the border post.
According to him, the engagements have strengthened intelligence sharing and improved coordinated responses to security challenges, thereby creating a safer and more enabling environment for cross-border trade.
Beyond revenue generation and trade facilitation, the Command recorded notable enforcement successes in February.
These include the interception of a Toyota Highlander conveying 22 packages of cocaine valued at over N1 billion, based on credible intelligence.
In addition, operatives seized 1,000 bags of 50kg parboiled rice within the month, reinforcing efforts to curb smuggling and protect the nation’s economic borders.
Adenuga reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to working closely with traders, farmers, security agencies and regional partners to sustain trade growth and security along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor.
By: Nkpemenyie mcdominic, Lagos
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Maritime

FOU ZONE “A” SETS TO BOOST PUBLIC TRUST,TRAIN OFFICERS ON REPUTATION MANAGEMENT 

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1 week ago

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March 2, 2026

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The Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Lagos, of the Nigeria Customs Service has held a reputation management workshop to strengthen professionalism, stakeholder relations and public confidence among its officers.
The Comptroller in charge of the Unit, Gambo Aliyu, spoke on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, stressing the importance of reputation in modern public service.
“Public trust stands as our most precious asset. Reputation is far more than a personal virtue; it forms the bedrock of our institution’s integrity, effectiveness and long-term success,” he said.
Aliyu noted that officers operate under intense public scrutiny and must demonstrate professionalism at all times.
“A single act of misconduct, poor stakeholder engagement or insensitive public communication could erode years of institutional goodwill, while consistent transparency and responsiveness would strengthen public confidence,” he said.
He highlighted recent improvements in the Service’s integrity ratings, citing recognition from Transparency International assessments.
According to him, sustaining this progress requires continuous training, ethical discipline and proactive stakeholder engagement.
The Comptroller assured that reputation management would remain central to capacity-building efforts and urged participants to internalise the lessons from the workshop and serve as ambassadors of trust within and outside the Service.
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