Maritime

Groups Carpet FG Over Poor Infrastructure In Ports

Published

4 years ago

November 21, 2021

The Association of Nigeria Licenced Customs Agents (ANLCA) and Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) have expressed dissatisfaction over several years of infrastructural decay in Nigerian ports.
The two bodies said the Federal Government had failed the maritime industry in so many ways especially in the area of embracing digitalisation.
The National Vice President of ANLCA, Dr. Collins Farinto, while speaking at AMJON’s 3rd Annual Conference/Awards in Lagos, recently, decried the state of infrastructure at the ports and called for the establishment of the Ministry of Maritime, in an effort to revamp the maritime industry in the country.
The National Vice President who represented the National President of the association, Chief Tony Iju, at the event, presented a paper on the Roles of Customs Brokers/Freight Forwarders in Seamless Port Operations in Nigeria.
Farinto commended the acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Bello Koko Mohammed, for his efforts so far in clearing bottlenecks around the Lagos ports and its environs.
He, however, noted that there are a lot of factors militating against the maritime industry in the country, such as lack of infrastructure like scanners to speed up cargo examination by Customs and other government agencies, numerous agencies of governments at the seaport carrying out similar functions, perennial traffic gridlock hindering easy access to the seaport and poor road network within the port vicinity.
Others, according to him, are lack of functional railway system for immediate evacuation of containers out of the port, activities of miscreants within the port corridors, and corruption and sabotage in the system.
President of AMJON , Mr. Paul Ogbuokiri, had earlier said that when the 10-kilometer Oshodi-Apapa expressway which has been under construction for many years is completed, it would reduce the Apapa gridlock by 40 per cent, adding that a motorable road system is essential in the drive towards a ‘seamless port operations in Nigeria’.
Ogbuokiri also charged the management of the Nigerian Shippers Council to complement the efforts of other government regulatory bodies to enable Nigerians enjoy the full benefit of the ‘blue economy project’.
He further said: “The Nigerian maritime industry which hitherto was held down by many setbacks to the extent that it has completely failed to reach its potentials, is on the march to reach its potentials as vast media reports quoting the International Maritime Bureau indicate that piratical attacks dropped by 77 per cent in the first nine months of 2021 in the Nigerian waters and the Gulf Guinea which in recent years became the epicenter of piracy and sea robbery.
“We have noted that the leadership of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has commenced a campaign for the removal of the war risk insurance on Nigerian bound cargoes and is also inching closer to returning Nigerian to a position of importance in global maritime politics.
“It has also come to our notice that the new leadership at the Nigerian Ports Authority has reworked the Electronic Truck Call System (ETO) to the extent that it brought down the notorious Apapa traffic gridlock by about 60 per cent.
”We’re looking forward that this magic wand on the new administration at the Ports Authority put traffic completely under control so that Apapa, Nigeria’s foremost port city will regain its grove”.
The Association also used the event to unveil the AMJON Express Magazine, a special purpose magazine which promises to be the voice of the maritime sector.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Maritime

CILT Nigeria Seeks Anti- graft Agency Collaboration

Published

5 days ago

April 27, 2026

The Tide

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transportation, CILT has sought collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC towards enhancing interconnectivity through a multimodal logistics and transportation system that involves the rail, road, sea, motorways and pipelines.

The request was made last week when the President and chairman of Council, CILT, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, led other executives on a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede at the Commission’s corporate headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.

“We can collaborate with the EFCC in terms of advocacy. When I’m talking of advocacy, I’m talking about the issue of the transport and logistics sector.

“We can have anti-corruption awareness within the transport sector. Another key issue has to do with professional ethics and training. We believe that we can collaborate with EFCC in the area of public transport as regards to integrity programmes for industry professionals and also research policies addressing logistics vulnerabilities in financial crimes,” he said.

He also identified logistics and supply chain expertise as another area of collaboration with the EFCC.

According to him, “There’s no way you can conduct an investigation without bumping into the issue of logistics and transportation. We believe that we can look into this and offer professional memberships to your members of staff at different levels.

“We believe if they are members of the institute, it will lessen the cost of your investigation.

“In our Academy, We can also offer to deliver lectures in this area to enhance professionalism. So, before your Cadets pass out from the Academy, members of the Institute can make lectures to be delivered in the areas of logistics and transport so as to enhance their professionalism.

“,At the end of the day, they will have professional certificates and also have enhanced capacity to investigate the issues of logistics and transportation.”

He blamed the delay in the clearance of goods in Nigerian seaports to logistical inadequacies.

“There’s so much serious problem in logistics in Nigeria, so many duplications. And it’s not giving Nigeria a good image. You are talking about bringing investors.

0″I don’t want to bring investors if it would take weeks to clear their goods,” he said.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Maritime

Nigeria Customs, Malaysia Strengthen Bilateral Agreement ….As Trade Hits 1.82tr in 5 Years

Published

5 days ago

April 27, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has advanced its strategic engagement with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD).

This followed an official visit by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to the RMCD Headquarters on the sidelines of his participation at DSA Malaysia 2026.

The engagement comes against the backdrop of expanding bilateral trade, with Nigeria’s imports from Malaysia increasing from NGN 159.9 billion in 2020 to NGN 716.0 billion in 2024, and cumulative trade value reaching approximately NGN 1.82 trillion over a five-year period.

The Nigeria customs boss was received by the Director-General of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Dato’ Haji Amran bin Haji Ahmad, whose appointment in March 2026 reflects a strong reform-oriented leadership in enforcement and regulatory administration.

Both leaders held high-level discussions focused on institutional collaboration, customs modernisation, and coordinated border management frameworks to strengthen efficiency and regulatory integrity.

The Comptroller-General emphasised that the scale and trajectory of Nigeria–Malaysia trade relations necessitate a more structured and formalised customs-to-customs partnership.

He noted that Malaysia remains a significant trading partner to Nigeria, with key imports including crude palm oil, refined palm olein, jet fuel, food preparations, machinery, and other industrial inputs.

He further underscored the critical role of customs administrations in facilitating legitimate trade while safeguarding national economic and security interests.

Both administrations acknowledged the absence of a formal legal framework guiding bilateral customs cooperation despite longstanding trade relations.

To address this gap, both parties agreed to initiate processes toward establishing a Mutual Recognition Agreement under the framework of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), to be pursued through appropriate diplomatic channels.

This initiative is expected to provide a structured basis for cooperation, enhance mutual trust, and support reciprocal trade facilitation measures.

The engagement also provided an opportunity for the Royal Malaysian Customs Department to present its evolving border management architecture, including the establishment of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) as an integrated frontline border control body.

In his aresponse, the Comptroller-General highlighted the Nigeria Customs Service’s Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and other trade facilitation frameworks designed to ensure predictable clearance processes, reduce transaction costs, and strengthen compliance.

Both sides emphasised the importance of deeper collaboration in intelligence sharing, enforcement coordination, and technology-driven border management, particularly in addressing illicit trade and transnational trafficking.

To this end, the NCS reiterates its commitment to strengthening bilateral and multilateral partnerships as part of its broader modernisation agenda.

The Service noted the outcome from this engagement will enhance operational capacity, improve trade facilitation, and reinforce border security, while supporting Nigeria’s economic growth objectives.

As part of ongoing efforts to deepen institutional collaboration, the Comptroller-General also used the opportunity to visit the Nigerian Diplomatic Mission and Defence Office in Malaysia, commending their roles in advancing Nigeria’s interests and supporting nationals abroad.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Maritime

Customs Deploys Seven Patrol Vessels, Boost Waterway Anti-smuggling

Published

5 days ago

April 27, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Customs Service NCS has deployed seven operational patrol vessels to Western Marine Command to combat smuggling and other maritime crimes

The vessels, comprising two gunboats and five logistics boats, were officially handed over to the Command recently, increasing its fleet to significantly enhance patrol coverage and rapid response capacity within its area of responsibility.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Comptroller of Western Marine Command, Patrick Ntadi, said the deployment reflects the Service’s strategic commitment to strengthening enforcement across critical maritime corridors.

“These assets are a clear demonstration of our resolve to secure Nigeria’s waterways against economic sabotage and transnational crimes.

“We are not only expanding our operational capacity but also ensuring that our officers are better equipped to respond swiftly and effectively,” he said.

Ntadi described the expanded fleet as a major boost to ongoing anti-smuggling operations, noting that it addresses previous logistical challenges and strengthens deterrence along key waterways.

“The fight against smuggling is dynamic, and we must remain proactive.

“This deployment, alongside continuous training and inter-agency collaboration, will significantly improve our enforcement outcomes and protect national revenue,” he added.

To support the effective deployment of the vessels, officers of the Command recently underwent an intensive training programme conducted by SEWA Africa Ltd, the contractor responsible for the boats.

The training focused on handling techniques, safety procedures, and operational efficiency.

Representative of SEWA Africa Ltd, Steven Okitiape, explained the training was designed to enhance both competence and safety among officers.

“This training serves as both a refresher and a capacity-building initiative, ensuring that officers can maximise the performance of these vessels while maintaining the highest safety standards,” he said.

By: CHINEDU WOSU