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Port Users Decry THC Upward Review

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15 years ago

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Controversies surrounding the Terminal Handling Charges (THC) have persisted as the recent upward review has sent a ripple of fear of increase in cost of doing business in the Port through port users.

   The review came at a time when importers and their agents were earnestly awaiting removal of THC as recommended by a ministerial committee for the review of Port charges.

Port concessionaires, otherwise known as terminal port operators under the aegis of the Seaport Terminal Operators Assocation of Nigeria (STOAN), had announced an upward review of THC and storage charges after its February 19th 2010 meeting.

The increment, which became effective April 1st, became inevitable, according to STOAN, due to rising wages, inflation and other variable costs while THC increased to 25 per cent, progressive storage charge was reviewed from 15 per cent to 20 per  cent. However, the ministerial committee set up by the former Minister of Transport, Ibrahim Isa Bio, had recommended the total cancellation of  THC, which it said, was not provided in the concession agreement between the government and the terminal operators. But the transport ministry has not done anything about the committee’s recommendation.

According to the National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, Lucky Amiwero, who was also a member of the ministerial committee, THC is duplicated as Terminal Delivery Charges, being collected by shipping companies.

He explained that the duplication of the collection by both terminal operators and shipping companies is in contravention of the committee’s recommendation and global best practices, which outlaw the collection of THC.

Kicking against STOAN’s upward review of THC, presidential candidate of the Association of Nigerian Licencsed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Olayiwola Shittu, said that the timing for the review of charges is wrong and ill-advised, adding that upward reviews would further increase the cost of doing business at the ports to the detriment of Nigerians.

But STOAN Vice Chairman, Captain Emma Omotayo, noted that the concessionaires had not reviewed their charges in over four years even though the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) lease fee has been reviewed annually.

According to him, the port concession agreement gives room to the concessionaires and the NPA to review rates and charges on an annual basis.

A source close to the concessionaires said that the concession agreement though remains a secret document, between government through the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) and terminal operators provided that the charges be reviewed yearly.

He faulted the criticism of licensed customs agents of the review, saying that the agents should fight the alleged duplication of THC with the shipping companies as it was the terminal operators that provides the equipment used in handling cargoes.

He wondered why the shipping companies would be charging for equipment, adding that NPA should also reduce what they are collecting from terminal operators as they are not contributing anything to the development of the ports, which have been concessioned.

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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1 week ago

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June 27, 2025

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The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure  and equipment  modernization drive  with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the  clearing  of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying,  “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President  of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

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1 week ago

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June 27, 2025

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National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement 

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1 week ago

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June 27, 2025

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In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of  NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the  Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu
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