Maritime

Shippers Council Cautions MWUN On Planned Strike

Published

4 years ago

February 28, 2022

The leadership of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has appealed to the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) to shelve their proposed indefinite nationwide strike scheduled for 1st March, 2022 across all the nation’s seaports.
Executive Secretary of NSC, Mr Emmanuel Jime, disclosed this in Lagos during a meeting with the President General of MWUN, Mr Adewale Adeyanju.
Recall that MWUN had issued a 14-day strike notice to the Federal Government over the refusal of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to allow stevedoring companies access to their platforms to begin operations.
“Any disruption at the port can affect in a very tragic way the economy of the country.
“The conversation is about the notice to down tools, and we as a port economic regulator should ensure that there are little or no disruptions to operations at the port.
“We have to show concern when there is disagreement that has risen to a level to cause disruption, especially in the maritime space.
“We are also disappointed about the state of affairs that has led to this situation of giving the notice which has been recurring as far back as 2014 with regards to engagement of stevedoring companies.
“We are disappointed that what has come to stay as a policy is being abused and we will not stand by and see the policy, which will benefit the Nigerian people and assist in operations, is not obeyed,” he said.
Jime appreciated the union for staying off strike when the Minister of Transportation intervened earlier, noting that this showed that the union was disposed to listening.
“Obviously, it has gotten to a point whereby you believe that nothing else can be done and the only option being a strike, this can mean that you have probably exhausted every avenue.
“I plead with you to tarry a while just like you have done in the past to give negotiation a chance. This time with shippers’ council playing a midwife, because I will be meeting with the Minister on this issue.
“I assure you that the council is ready to work with you to resolve this issue. In enforcing policy, I suggest that for IOCs that are not compliant, you can picket that IOC to send the right signal,” he said.
Earlier, President General, MWUN, had said as a responsible union, they do not back-out anyhow, but follow due process and would not do anything funny.
He said they believed in sincerity of purpose to come from employers of labour, and believed in working closely with each other to achieve objectives.
Adeyanju noted that the law of the country must be respected concerning stevedoring contract, and berated the IOCs for not doing so.
“We have been given a mandate that the strike must commence and that is what is before you.
“The strike is imminent and it is way of telling the world that the IOCs are not bigger than this country,” he said.
Adeyanju wondered why the IOCs were running away from their responsibility and preventing the stevedoring contractors from coming in.
“If they are not hiding anything, why won’t they obey the instructions of the Minister of Transportation? So, by next week, which is very close, we are not shifting ground on this issue.
“We cannot do such in their countries, so they must respect our laws,” Adewale said.

Maritime

Weak Shipping Line Regulation Undermines Customs Reforms —-Says SEREC

Published

1 week ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) says poor regulation of shipping lines could undermine the credibility of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) reforms.

Head of Research SEREC, Dr Eugene Nweke made this Known to Newsmen in Abuja

Nweke said that customs efficiency was linked to the performance of the Nigeria’s maritime and trade ecosystem.

Hr described the NCS as central to the success of the National Single Window (NSW) risk-based clearance and trade facilitation reforms.

“However, Customs efficiency gains are systematically eroded when upstream shipping practices introduce artificial delays, speculative charges, remote cargo release approvals and opaque cost structures”.

“In effect, weak regulation of shipping line conduct externalises inefficiencies into the Customs clearance process, inflates transaction costs, distorts compliance behavior and undermines the credibility of customs-led trade reforms,”

Nweke said that SEREC had submitted a white paper to the government advocating that shipping line governance, port economic regulation, and customs trade administration should be treated as inseparable policy domains.

SEREC said Nigeria’s Port challenges were not only infrastructure-driven but governance-related, warning that weak regulation, missing oversight reports and unchecked discretion in systems like the NSW could undermine reform efforts.

SEREC recommended reforms for Nigeria’s shipping sector, including public release of committee findings, statutory refund timelines with penalties, banning speculative demurrage billing, mandatory local cargo release and alignment of shipping practices with the NSW among others.

Nweke said that the aim of the white paper was to draw attention to sharp practices and regulatory weaknesses that had evolved beyond operational inconveniences into macroeconomic and governance risks.

“For NCS trade reforms to deliver their full impact in 2026 and beyond, shipping practices must align with the same principles guiding Customs modernisation: transparency, predictability, automation, accountability and local control.

Nweke said that by 2026, stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry hope to transition from opaque and arbitrary port operations to a transparent, rules-based system managed through digital technology.

He stressed that the shift should align with ongoing reforms and international best practices, facilitated by the government through providing enabling environment and enforcing regulations

“These include predictable costs, enforceable service standards, transparent billing, time-bound cargo release, and institutional accountability particularly as Nigeria advances the National Single Window (NSW), port economic regulation, and revenue optimisation objectives.

“The expectation is not the creation of new laws, but disciplined enforcement of existing instruments, public disclosure of regulatory outcomes, and insulation of regulators from political and commercial capture,” Nweke said.

By: CHINEDU WOSU

Maritime

Tinubu Approve Take Off Of Olokola Deep Seaport In Ogun State

Published

1 week ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Nigeria President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate take-off of the Olokola Deep Seaport project in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area

The approval brings to an end years of delay surrounding the multi billion dollar Port.

Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun made this Known to Journalists during an interactive session

Governor Abiodun said the Seaport would help decongest Lagos ports, while oil drilling at Tongeji Island would boost economic activities and inclusion in coastal communities.

“The Olokola deep seaport project, which has been on the drawing board for several years, has been revived following a series of meetings with the President”.

“I want to sincerely thank Mr President because this is solely his initiative. In the last two weeks alone, we have held several meetings on Olokola, and he has clearly expressed his desire to see the port become a reality,” he said.

The Governor said the seaport would be known as the Blue Marine Economic Zone, would leverage the coastal road as an alternative logistics corridor and further ease pressure on the Lagos ports.

He commended the Nigerian Navy for establishing a Forward Operations Base at Tongeji Island, saying the move would enhance security and prevent infiltration from neighbouring Benin Republic.

The Governor said that the state government was working to provide basic amenities for residents of the island to improve living conditions and support emerging economic activities.

Abiodun thanked the Navy for its contribution to security in the state, attributing the relative peace in Ogun to collaboration among security agencies.

By: CHINEDU WOSU

Maritime

Gov Eno Vows To Actualise Ibom Deep Seaport Project

Published

1 week ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno says his administration is commitment to deliver the Ibom Deep Seaport project as a critical infrastructure to boost the state’s economy and transform the region.

The Governor said this during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state government and the Interaf Group Consortium at the Government House, Uyo.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Enobong Uwah, Eno emphasized on the project’s significance.

“The project is a necessity for the people of the state as my administration is fully committed to putting the necessary requirements in place to get it on course,” Eno said.

The Governor urged the consortium to work closely with the Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation, AKICORP, and the government’s representatives to ensure its timely execution.

He commended the organisation for its interest in ensuring the actualisation of the project

The Governor thanked the former Petroleum Minister, Mr Don Etiebet, for being a part of the team, and for working toward the actualisation of the facility.

Earlier,Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Interaf Group Consortium, Mr Ezinwa Ibekwe commended the government for the confidence reposed in the company.

Ibekwe assured the government of the consortium’s readiness to deliver on its mandate, promising a collaborative approach to ensure the project’s success.

By: CHINEDU WOSU