Maritime

PTOL Wants NPA To Dredge Channels At Rivers Port

Published

4 years ago

August 23, 2021

The management of Ports Terminal Operators Limited (PTOL), has called on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Federal Government to dredge the port channels to accommodate heavy vessels going to the port.
PTOL said the low channel had hindered vessels not routing to the terminals to discharge cargos, thereby lowering their revenues.
Company Secretary, PTOL, Chioma Okwuanyi, stated this when the House of Representatives Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation led by Hon Kolade Akinjo visited facilities at the Rivers Port Complex.
Okwuanyi said: “This obligation is fundamental to the attainment of business and financial projections and it plays a significant role in the determination of the types and sizes of vessels that can call at our terminals”.
He described the berths as the only source of revenue to the terminal and required dredging to improve their output.
The secretary appealed to the committee to assist to ensure that berths 7 and 8 are dredged to 10.0 meter instead of 6.5 to 8.5 meters restricting vessels calls to the terminal.
He insisted that low dredging affects PTOL earning capacity in the port.
“We wish to state that the four berths – 5,6,7,8 have never been rehabilitated, neither have they been dredged since it was built in 1913 by the colonial masters till date”, said PTOL.
Okwuanyi decried the non availability of truck holding bay at the port as promised by NPA under the concession agreement, saying it poses serious challenges to operations at the port.
He said the restoration of the truck holding bay by NPA would bring sanity to its operations.
“It is our belief that the restoration of the truck holding bay will bring sanity to the environment”, said Okwuanyi.
Earlier, Port Manager, NPA, Rivers Port Complex, Mohammad Abubakar Bello said, PTOL had added value to port business.
Represented by Offison Nyong, Principal Officer, Training, Bello said the dredging of the berths cannot be done only by NPA, but by the Federal Government.
Nyong said NPA was working with the private sectors to carry out the dredging of the berths to accommodate heavy traffics at the terminal and improve revenue to both the Federal Government and operators.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Maritime

Customs Kaduna Command Generates ?5b Revenue In Oct

Published

2 weeks ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kaduna Area Command, has achieved a new revenue milestone, generating ?5.16 billion in October 2025

The Area Command said the feat was the highest monthly revenue ever recorded.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Ridwan Yusuf, revealed this in a Statement made available to Journalists

The figure, Yusuf said, represent 96 per cent increase above the monthly target and a 196 per cent target performance.

Yusuf said that the command collected ?39.79 billion between January and October 2025, compared with ?24.06 billion generated during the same period in 2024 reflecting a substantial year,on year growth.

the Area Controller, Comptroller Saad Hassan, attributed the record performance to the dedication and professionalism of officers and stakeholders, in line with the modernisation agenda of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi.

He identified improved stakeholders’ engagement, digitalisation of excise operations, and enhanced officers’ motivation as key factors driving the Command’s success.

“The Command’s performance demonstrates the effectiveness of our current operational strategies and our unwavering commitment to national economic stability,” Hassan said.

He assured that the command would continue to sustain the momentum by facilitating legitimate trade and improving revenue collection mechanisms.

The Command also reaffirmed its resolve to uphold professionalism and integrity in line with the service’s overall mission of trade facilitation and economic growth.

By; Chinedu Wosu

Maritime

NSC Facilitate Release Of 90 Imported Containers From Maritime Police

Published

2 weeks ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Shippers’Council(NSC), through its Complaints Unit, has successfully facilitated the release of 90 imported containers from the Maritime Police Command

The containers were released between Monday, 27th to Friday 31st October, 2025.

Speaking during the compilation and review of Case by Case Study Session held at the Complaints Unit, the Head, Complaints Unit, Dr. Bashir Ambi Mohammed, reiterated the importance of proper documentation of all Maritime Police related disputes.

He stated tha the NSC’s intervention aligns with internationally recognized frameworks such as the International Maritime Organisation IMO’s Facilitation Convention (FAL), promoting efficient clearance of goods and reduction of administrative bottlenecks.

The other is the UNCTAD Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), emphasizing faster release of cargoes and reduced transaction costs.

Also is the World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards, ensuring secure and transparent supply chain operations.

Ambi Mohammed added that through these coordinated efforts, the Council ensures reduced Container Dwell Time as well as improving terminal throughput.

According to him, the efforts so far has minimized Demurrage and Storage Costs thereby protecting shippers’ financial interests.

It further enhanced Inter-Agency Cooperation and Improved Supply Chain Visibility, which he said collectively contributes to Nigeria’s goal of achieving World Class Port Efficiency and Global Competitiveness in Maritime Trade.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Maritime

Shipper’s Council Advocates Sensitization Of Staff On NSITF Scheme

Published

2 weeks ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has called for proper Sensitization of staff on the proposed insurance scheme by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, NSC, Akutah Pius, made the call while playing host to a courtesy visit by NSITF officials to his office, in Lagos.

Represented by Director of Human Resources Management, Alhaji Mustapha Zubairu, Akutah emphasized the Nigeria Shipper’s Council commitment to prioritizing staff insurance and health, citing existing policies with positive impacts on employees’ lives.

He requested NSITF to strengthen its legal framework to enable the NSC to fully benefit from the scheme.

Earlier, the Team Head, NSITF’ Adegbite Oludotun said that the organization provides compensation for insured government employees in case of injury, disability, or death during active service.

While commending the NSC for registering with the scheme, Oludotun assured adequate compensation for employee claims and safety.

By: Chinedu Wosu