Business

Freight Forwarders Crucial In Building Economy – ANLCA Boss

Published

3 years ago

December 28, 2022

National President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Hon Iju Tony Nwabunike, has stated that freight forwarders play key roles in contributing to building and growing Nigeria’s economy.
Nwabuike, who stated this in his speech as part of events marking the Christmas celebrations among freight forwarders, weekend in Lagos, felicitated with Christians, especially maritime stakeholders, as they celebrate Christmas to mark the birth of Jesus Christ.
In a statement made available to our correspondent in Lagos, he specifically extolled the roles and contributions of freight forwarders to growing Nigeria’s economy.
“Freight practitioners are strategic and crucial to the Nigeria Customs Service attaining and sustaining the N1trillion revenue collection mark”, he said.
According to him, “the celebration of the birth of Jesus remains synonymous with infectious happiness, sharing of gifts and radiation of love and joyful vibes all over.
“The birth of Jesus Christ, who sojourned on earth for 33 years over 2000 years ago, has left indelible marks for humanity on many fronts”.
Nwabunike expressed his desire for all Nigerian custom brokers, freight forwarders, haulage operators and other ancillary service providers in the total logistics chain in the country to embrace the messages embedded in Christ’s birth and lifestyle.
The message reads in part: “I urge all our colleagues and friends to promote love amongst themselves and with other stakeholders in the maritime industry.
“Where there is love, our capacity to forgive others’ shortcomings, even without apologies, will expand since love covers multitudes of sins (1 Peter 4:8).
“It is from this promotion of Christ-like love that the virtue of selfless service and helping others without expecting reward can flow ceaselessly.
“Our professional functions touch strongly on collection of government revenue and facilitating trade. We are indeed unsung and strategic partners with government agencies such as Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and many others.
“The attainment and sustaining of over N1trillion revenue collection by the NCS could not have been possible without the cooperation of licenced customs agents and freight forwarders.
“Let’s bear in mind that as we move cargoes, so are we moving the national economy forward, while advancing the cause of international trade, supporting productivity and creating sustainable employments”.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Business

Shippers Council Vows Commitment To Security At Nigerian Ports

Published

2 hours ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC)has restated its commitment towards ensuring security at Nigerian seaports.

Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Dr Pius Akuta, said this in Port Harcourt, while declaring open a one day workshop organized by the Nigerian Shippers Council in collaboration with the Nigerian police( Marin Division).

Theme for the workshop was ‘Facilitating Port Efficiency; The strategic Role of Maritime police “

Akuta who was represented by the Director, Regulatory Services, Nigerian Shippers Council, Mrs Margeret Ogbonnah, said the workshop was to seek areas of collaboration with security agencies at the Ports with a view to facilitating trade

Akuta said the theme of the workshop reflects the desire of the council and the Nigerian police to build capacity of police officers for better understanding and administration of their statutory roles in the Maritime environment.

He said Nigerian seaports has constantly been reputed as one of the Port with the longest cargo dwell in the world, adding,”This is so, because while it takes only six hours to clear a containerized cargo in Singapore Port, seven days in Lome Port, it takes an average of 21 days or more in Nigerian Ports” stressing that this situation which has affected the global perception index on Ease of Doing Business in Nigerian seaports must be addressed.

Akuta said NSC which is the economic regulator of the Ports has the responsibility of ensuring that efficiency is established in the Ports inorder to attract patronages.

“Pursuant to its regulatory mandate, the NSC has been collaborating with several agencies to ensure the facilitation of trade and ease of movement of cargo outside the Ports to avoid congestion”he said.

Also speaking the commissioner of police, Eastern Port Command, Port Harcourt, CP Tijani Fakai, said Maritime police has played some roles in facilitating Ports efficiency.

He listed some of the roles to include ensuring security and crime prevention at the Ports, checking of illegal fishing activities at the Ports, checking of human trafficking and drug smuggling and prevention of fire incident at the Ports.

Represented by ACP, Rufina Ukadike, the CP said police at the Ports have also helped in the decongestion and prevention of unauthorized Anchorage.

He commended the Nigerian Shippers Council for the workshop and assured of continuous collaboration.

Speaking on the dynamics of cargo handling, Deputy Controller of customs, Muhydeen Ayinla Ayoola, said the launching of electronic tracking system and dissolution of controller General Taskforce has helped to ensure efficiency at the Ports.

Ayoola who represented the custom Area Controller Port Harcourt 1 Area command, however raised concerned over rising national security threat , which according to him has affected efficiency at the Ports.

John Bibor

Business

Nigeria Risks Talents Exodus In Oil And Gas Sector – PENGASSAN

Published

3 hours ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) says Nigeria risks massive brain drain in the oil and gas sector due to poor remuneration.

Mr Festus Osifo, President of PENGASSAN, said this while briefing newsmen at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the sector was facing challenges arising from Naira devaluation and inflation, noting that, oil and gas skills remained globally competitive.

“A drilling engineer in Nigeria does the same job as one in the U.S. or Abu Dhabi,” he said.

Osifo said the union must take steps to bridge the wage gap to prevent members from leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.

“If we don’t act, the brain drain seen in other sectors will be child’s play,” he said.

He said PENGASSAN had recorded significant gains through collective bargaining across oil and gas branches.

“We signed numerous agreements across government agencies, IOCs, service and marketing sectors,” he said.

He said the agreements brought relief to members facing rising costs of living, adding that, the association’s duty is to protect members’ jobs and enhance their pay.

Osifo urged companies delaying salary reviews and those foot-dragging as a result of the prevailing economic realities, to do the needful.

He said the industry employed some of the nation’s best talents, making competitive pay critical to retaining skilled workers.

“This industry recruits the best. Companies must provide the best conditions,” he said.

On insecurity, Osifo urged government to take decisive action against terrorism and kidnappings across the country.

“We are tired of condemnations. government must expose sponsors and protect citizens,” he said.

He urged government at all levels to prioritise tackling insecurity through better funding and equipment for security agencies.

Osifo said PENGASSAN supported calls for state police to improve local security response, adding that decentralising policing will protect citizens better than rhetoric.

He also said economic indicators meant little, if food prices remained high and farmers could not return to farms due to insecurity.

“Nigerians want to see food on the table, not macroeconomic figures,” he said.

He urged government to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies to ensure economic gains reach households.

“Translate macro results to food on the table,” he said.

Business

NCDMB, Others Task Youths On Skills Acquisition, Peace

Published

4 hours ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board(NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatshola-Ogbe, alongside former acting Director-General of the Department of State Services(DSS), Matthew Seiyefa, and the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youths Development, Kemepado Nimizigha, have charged youths of the Niger Delta region to maintain peace and tranquility in the region.

The trio gave the charge in their separate remarks at the Youths session of the 2025 edition of the NCDMB Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, Tuesday.

In his opening remarks, Ogbe , represented by the Head of Department, Government Relations,Teddy Bai, noted that Nigeria stands at a defining moment as global energy systems were rapidly transforming adding that the nation must be deliberate in preparing for a future which balances traditional oil and gas operations with cleaner and more innovative energy solutions.

He said the 2025 PNC Youth forum themed, ‘Building Youth Capacity, Securing Investments, Sustaining Growth In The Oil And Gas Industry’ was not a mere gathering to discuss issues, but to chart new pathways toward meaningful youth engagement, responsible participation in the oil and gas value chain, and sustainable development for the local communities.

Ogbe emphasized that Nigeria’s energy sector was undergoing a transition, with the youths considered as great partners at the heart of the energy sector transition.

“As youths, you’re not just the leaders of tomorrow. You’re contributors and solution-creators today. Your creativity, digital literacy, and innovations are needed in the transitioning energy sector and its value chain.

“It’s my profound pleasure to address you at this year’s PNC 2025 Youth Event, a platform that continues to grow in importance as we collectively shape the future of our energy sector and, indeed, our nation.

“At the heart of this transition is you-the Nigerian youth. Your creativity, digital literacy, and entrepreneurial capacity are crucial assets for solving some of our most pressing challenges, including Pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft, Environmental degradation, Skills gaps in emerging energy technologies, and innovations for local content development.

“The NCDMB recognizes your central role, and this event is one of many interventions designed to empower, inform, and prepare you for opportunities ahead.

“The Nigerian youth must be champions of protection- not destruction- of national assets”, he said.

In his keynote address, Pro-Chancellor of the Niger Delta University (NDU), and former acting Director-General of the Department of State Services(DSS), Mathew Seiyefa, called on youths to maintain the peace in the oil rich Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large.

He cited instances of youth restiveness and their perceived causes in various parts of the region and other parts of the country, saying without peace no meaning development can take place in any part of the world as investors and Government need peace before siting developmental projects in any given area.

In his goodwill message, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youth Development, Alfred Kemepado Nimizigha, represented by the Director-general of the State’s Centre for Youth Development, Robert Igali, lauded the NCDMB for the programme.

The Commissioner urged youths to engage in meaningful activities rather than taking to social vices, noting that the Governor Douye Diri’s led ‘prosperity administration’ would continue to embark on several initiatives and programmes aimed at empowering youths across the state.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa