Maritime

Wharf Rats Return To Nigerian Ports …Cart Away N500m Cargoes

Published

5 years ago

March 22, 2021

Following the increase in container traffics in the nation’s ports, hoodlums, otherwise known as wharf rats, appear to have returned to Lagos Ports.
Information reaching The Tide shows that suspected hoodlums who specializes in pilfering of goods, stole from export and import cargoes to the tune of N500 million.
Speaking on the activities of the wharf rats at the ports, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Hassan Bello, said that the Council was working on Bill of Carriage, in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Transportation, that would lead to the regulation of haulage business in the country.
According to him, “Exporters must be very careful in the sense that they should know who they entrust their cargo with”.
He called on the exporters to sign a contract with the body to secure their goods
“They should have a contract with us. I know that access to the port has become a problem, which we hope to end around March this year”, he said.
Bello noted that after concession of the nation’s seaports in 2006, activities of wharf rats were curbed as concessionaires took over security of both import and export cargoes.
He, added, however, that activities of the pilfering syndicates have reached a crescendo, thereby undermining the current efforts of the government to diversify the economy from crude oil.
According to investigation, wharf rats had pilfered export cargo belonging to Global Enterprise. The export cargo was brought to the Apapa Port but between the time the goods arrived at the port and when it was loaded on board the vessel, a sizeable quantity had been stolen.
A second consignment of four units of 20 feet containers of Sesame Seed that was to be shipped to Dubai was also pilfered from a warehouse around Coconut area of Lagos.
Investigation showed that the exporter lost about N12.04 million of the N42.6 million worth of consignments as 430 out of the 1,520 bags got missing. Each bag is worth N28,000.
Bello said the latest was the stealing of a 40-foot container of cocoa meant for export to the United States of America.
Investigation also revealed that in 2020, the activities of wharf rats caused exporters a loss of about N55 million.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Maritime

Customs Kaduna Command Generates ?5b Revenue In Oct

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

1 day 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