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Customs Agents Seeks Regulation Of Shipping Charges

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14 years ago

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Worried by the apparent neglect of the Nigeria Shippers’
Council (NSC) the National President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed
Customs Agents (ANCLA), Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu, called for the crating of a
department under the Ministry of Transport to regulate shipping charges in the
nation’s maritime sector instead of delegating the power to NSC.

Shittu made the call recently at a one-day clinic on
arbitrary shipping charges in the port organised by the Nigeria Shippers
Council in conjunction with Akabogu and Associates.

According to him, “highly placed persons at the federal
ministry of transport were colluding with some industry operators to scuttle
the actualisation of a commercial regulator for the maritime industry.

He stated that NSC has done well to raise importers’
confidence at the gateways, adding that the council qualified as a commercial
regulator but some powerful forces at the ministry of transport were rendering
the NSC irrelevant in the discharge of its duties as the substantive commercial
regulator despite arbitrary shipping charges Nigerians were being made to pay
in the process of importing and shipping goods.

The NSC at the one-day clinic had revealed that it had
finished benchmarking of all charges in the maritime sector and compiled all in
a report but lacked the political will to implement the report because it
lacked the power of a commercial regulator.

Representative of the Executive Secretary NSC Barrister
Hassan Bello, however explained that the clinic would address all contentious
issues in the maritime sector development in the country.

He said the council needed the support and prayers of
stakeholders for it to receive the desired attention as economic regular.

Barrister Emeka Akabogu, while presenting his paper, stated
that the shipping charges at the gateways were not acceptable as they were not
in line with charges at neighboring port and in other countries.

He lamented the role of the Federal Government which , he
said has not done enough to assist the importers and exporters.

A cursory look at terminal/shipping charge for a 20ft import
reveals that most of the terminal operators in the nation maritime sector
charge between N45,500 to N65,000 for Terminal Handling Charges (THC) while
import delivery charge varies between N2,250 to N40,000 with Lillypond
Container Terminal charging the highest at N40,000 for import delivery charges.

APM terminal charges N9,750 for scanning of charges while it
collected N2,500 for logistics for scanning charge. At the various customs
examination desk across the terminal, APM terminal charges N11,667 which is the
highest form any terminal operator in the national seaports.

Earlier the chairman of the clinic, Otunba Kunle Folarin, a
maritime expert tasked maritime stakeholders to look into such questions as
what really constitutes the numerous charges slammed on importers and shippers
of goods to Nigeria, like Terminal Handling Charges (THC), containers
demurrage, who should be charging and how much is the international charge? Why
pay Value Added Tax on CIF when it is also charged on Custom Duty?

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Niger Delta Investment Summit Targets $5bn Inflows, 500,000 Jobs

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5 days ago

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April 10, 2026

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The Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has unveiled the plans to host a major economic and investment summit aimed at attracting five billion dollars, ( N7 trillion) investments in addition to creating about 500,000 jobs over the next five years.
The Chairman of NDCCITMA Board, Ambassador Idaere Ogan, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently.
Ogan stated  that the initiative is designed to reposition the Niger Delta as a viable destination for sustainable economic growth and development.
He explained the summit would bring together investors, policymakers, manufacturers and business leaders from within and outside Nigeria to explore opportunities across key sectors of the regional economy.
According to him, the event is expected to attract high-profile participation, with President Bola Tinubu billed as Special Guest of Honour, while the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, is expected to deliver the keynote address.
Ogan said the summit would focus on critical sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, logistics and the blue economy, which he described as areas with significant untapped potential.
He called on state governments, development partners and private sector stakeholders to support the initiative, stressing that collective efforts are required to unlock the region’s economic prospects.
 NDCCITMA chairman further stated that improving security conditions and increasing economic confidence in the Niger Delta have made the region more attractive to both local and foreign investors.
He emphasised that ongoing economic reforms at the national level have also contributed to creating a more favourable investment climate.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Summit Organising Committee, Dr. Solomon Edebiri, said the event would prioritise the growth of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across the region.
He noted the summit would provide a strategic platform for networking, business partnership and policy dialogue aimed at strengthening the private sector.
Edebiri disclosed that findings from a recent business roundtable revealed significant untapped investment opportunities, which the summit seeks to harness through targeted collaborations.
He revealed that the event would feature exhibitions of viable projects, facilitate business-to-business and business-to-government engagements, and also promote innovations across multiple sectors.
According to him, the expected outcomes of the summit include job creation, increased industrial activity and improved livelihoods for people in the Niger Delta.
To build momentum ahead of the event, NDCCITMA said the body would embark on awareness roadshows across states in the Niger Delta, as well as in Lagos and Abuja, to attract broad participation.
King Onunwor
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NPA Targets N1.489tn Revenue In 2026

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5 days ago

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April 10, 2026

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The Management  of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has set N1.489 trillion as its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target for the 2026 fiscal year.
NPA says the figure represents an increase of N21 billion over the N1.468 trillion target for 2025, which the agency exceeded with an actual revenue of N1.97 trillion.
 The Managing Director NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, stated this  during the agency’s 2026 budget defence before the Senate Committee on Marine Transport.
Dantsoho said  the authority was set to begin groundbreaking projects for the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports to enhance global competitiveness.
According to him, of the projected revenue: N945 billion is allocated for capital projects, N447.5 billion for operating expenses, and
N90.6 billion for remittance into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).
The MD explained that the budget was anchored on the mantra, “Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity.”
Dantsoho said that the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports were flagship projects aimed at boosting revenue.
“Apapa and Tin Can Island ports are old and no longer adequate for modern global port operations.
“Apapa Port is about 100 years old, while Tin Can Island Port is over 50 years old, with limited capacity for handling modern vessels and cargo volumes.
“Groundbreaking for their modernisation will commence within the next two to three weeks,” he added.
On the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Dantsoho said all revenues generated by the NPA are paid directly into the account managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“We do not retain any funds. The Central Bank is the signatory and we must apply for funds whenever needed,” he explained.
Earlier in his remarks,Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ports, Sen. Wasiu Eshinlokun (Lagos Central), said the committee’s oversight function was collaborative rather than adversarial.
“Our goal is to work with you to strengthen institutional capacity, eliminate inefficiencies and ensure that every naira appropriated serves the public interest,” he said.
Chinedu Wosu
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NPF Disburses ?21.68m  To Fallen Heros’ Families …Reinforce Welfare Commitment 

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5 days ago

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April 10, 2026

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Nigeria Police Force has disbursed a total of ?21,678,120 to the deceased police officers families in Rivers State as part of ongoing welfare interventions by the force.
The gesture formed a major highlight of the activities marking  the 2026 National Police Day celebration in the state, underscoring renewed institutional focus on personnel welfare and post-service support systems.
The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, who presided over the cheque presentation ceremony, said the initiative reflects the Force’s commitment to honouring officers who paid the ultimate price in their line of duty.
He explained that the financial support is designed to cushion the economic burden faced by bereaved families, while also reinforcing confidence among serving personnel about the Force’s long-term welfare structure.
Adepoju conveyed the sympathy of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to the beneficiaries, noting that the sacrifices of fallen officers remain invaluable to national security and public safety.
The police boss further stressed that sustained welfare interventions are critical to boosting morale, enhancing productivity, and strengthening institutional loyalty within the Force.
He reiterated that the welfare scheme aligns with broader reforms aimed at repositioning the Nigeria Police Force as a responsive and people-oriented institution.
Beneficiaries of the cheques commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for prioritising the welfare of officers and their families through consistent and impactful interventions.
They described the initiative as timely and compassionate, noting that it would go a long way in alleviating financial pressures arising from the loss of their loved ones.
The families also acknowledged ongoing reforms under the current police leadership, which they said have strengthened trust, improved service delivery, and enhanced the overall image of the Force.
The Rivers State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining similar initiatives as part of efforts to uphold the dignity, sacrifice, and legacy of officers who served the nation with distinction.
King Onunwor
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