Maritime
2022: INERTIA IN THE MARITIME SECTOR BAD OMEN FOR NIGERIA
For Nigeria to overcome the lingering inertia in the maritime sector, government must decisively address the foreign exchange question, neglect of eastern ports, crude oil theft and other matters. Foremost maritime lawyer, Chief EMMANUEL OSUALA NWAGBARA stated this in a chat with IZUCHUKWU OZOEMENA.
Q: As 2022 rushes to end, the persistent inertia in Nigeria’s maritime sector remains a huge worry. What’s your take?
Ans: What happens globally affects Nigeria because she’s a member of the comity of nations. Whether we like it or not, the Russia/Ukraine conflict has a debilitating effect on the global economy including the economy of countries outside Eastern Europe including Nigeria.
In Nigeria, we see that there is a scarcity of foreign exchange right now; the economy is not smiling. This is complicated by government’s failure to take advantage of certain aspects of the implications of the war in Eastern Europe. For instance, while other countries are increasing their crude oil supply at least to meet their OPEC quota, Nigeria has lost on her quota from about 1.8mbd to less than 900mbd as we speak. Nigeria has failed to take advantage of the rise in demand for oil occasioned by the war. Therefore, Nigeria is not doing well in generating forex. That means her economy gets a harder hit with what is happening in Eastern Europe. The cost of importation has also risen. Since Nigeria is not able to take advantage of the war to increase her OPEC quota and is therefore losing revenue, she is spending so much borrowing to finance her imports. Importers are not able to import and this impacts on businesses in the maritime sector.
So, a port that should be bubbling with activities if we had all the forex to import is virtually empty because Nigerians now have to source their forex from the autonomous market which is very expensive.
Another way to look at the inertia in the maritime sector is the failure of the NPA to develop the eastern ports and work with the Navy to ensure security in the eastern ports area. NPA has refused to deepen the channel in the eastern flank. That would have been an opportunity for business boom. Even with low imports into Nigeria, many vessels still queue outside Lagos ports. That will not happen if the eastern ports were given attention and many of the vessels diverted there to discharge and pick cargo. Because of that, there’s no movement or business from the eastern ports to Lagos or vice versa. Even with the vessels that queue up, export business is not booming. Many of our exports go bad before reaching the ports because the access roads are clustered. If NPA is truthful, nothing stops it from diverting all exports to Onne Port which still measures 14+ metres draught.
If a vessel like Lady Jane that came in last April will take about 600 containers of agro products for exports, it means if NPA dedicated Onne Port for exports, there will be lots of movement. It means other interests will come in to invest in the waterways so that containers can go from Lagos to Onne, Port Harcourt, Calabar, etc. There will be more push from NPA and security agencies to collaborate for security on the waterways at all times.
Q: Federal Government is yet to convince all that politics is not the main reason the eastern ports are still suffering neglect. Do you agree?
Ans: When you refuse to do what you should do to spread development, it is likely to have a political undertone. Let us starve this section of the country of development. That is what we are saying that should not exist in Nigeria’s maritime sector because it’s all negative when you fail to do the right thing. If the economy is smiling because the eastern ports are busy, it means less restiveness from that area.
It is wrong political decisions by regulatory agencies that are keeping the economy down. Politics should not be brought into businesses that create development. Port development is strictly commerce. It is better Nigeria develops all ports as any city with a port has no business with poverty. We should not bring politics to ports development.
Q: Is it right that instead of adequately empowering security agencies to protect oil pipelines, government is contracting the job to non-state actors?
Ans: It is an acceptance by government that confidence in the security agencies has been eroded. This means self-indictment. Why should that be? I do not share the idea that locals should be excluded from protecting our national assets such as oil pipelines and installations that pass through their territory. What we need is a healthy relationship between the security agencies and the indigenes. Government should do everything possible to promote good livelihood of the locals so as to earn their cooperation with the security agencies to protect the oil installations. Government should go back to the drawing board, look at positions people have taken over what is happening to the oil pipelines and address the issues holistically. Various organizations in the locality should work with security agencies to ensure that the pipelines are protected.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
For posting an impressive revenue performance, the Ogun II Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has been specifically commended with a firm pledge to address operational challenges she is grappling with.
Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, made this known, Wednesday, during a working tour of the Command Headquarters in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
In his welcome address, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Bisi Alade described the CGC’s visit as a morale booster for the command’s officers and men.
“Your presence here today Sir,” he remarked, “is not only encouraging but also a strong indication of your commitment to every arm of the Service.”
“It has uplifted the spirit of our officers and reinforced our resolve to deliver on the Service’s mandate with renewed vigour.”
Comptroller Alade disclosed that between January and April, 2025, the Ogun II Command generated a total revenue of ₦15.191 billion, representing a 40 per cent increase compared to the ₦9.165 billion recorded during the corresponding period in 2024.
The Ogun II Command, he stated, oversees three Free Trade Zones, 67 excise factories, and one bonded terminal, making it a strategic revenue-generating and industrial oversight zone within the Nigeria Customs Service architecture.
“We shall continue to remain focused, disciplined, and professional in the discharge of our duties, while aligning with the CGC’s reform agenda,” he reaffirmed
The CAC drew attention to several challenges facing the Command, including inadequate operational vehicles, medical laboratory equipment at the Command’s clinic and the need to renovate two 30-man rank-and-file quarters. Others are improved borehole facilities and the installation of a solar power system for the office complex.
In response, CGC Adeniyi commended the Command’s performance and assured that the Service Headquarters would consider the issues raised. He urged officers to prioritise continuous professional development, stressing that competence, knowledge and dedication are essential to enable them to effectively discharge the Service’s responsibilities.
The CGC also praised Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State, for leveraging the state’s strategic location as Nigeria’s industrial gateway, particularly in light of its shared border with the Republic of Benin.
“Ogun State is a strategic location in Nigeria, and the Governor is clearly repositioning the state for industrial growth,” Adeniyi remarked.
CGC Adeniyi assured the government and people of Ogun State that the Nigeria Customs Service remains a committed partner in driving the nation’s economic prosperity. He further encouraged Comptroller Alade to deepen collaboration with other security agencies and the state government to achieve
shared goals.
Maritime Agencies
Container Movement To Seaports: NPA Meets With APM Terminals, Shipping Lines, for Coordination.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has called for an enhanced coordination between her on one hand, shipping lines, terminal operators and others on the other, to address challenges associated with container movement to seaports.
Enhanced coordination, the agency says, has become necessary following public outcry over the delay in evacuation of empty containers, a situation that has led to yard congestion at the APM Terminals, Apapa, Lagos.
The NPA made the call during a crucial meeting between her, major shipping lines and the APM Terminals to discuss challenges and how to chart a way forward.
Enhanced cooperation, the agency noted, is in line with the commitment of the Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, to ensure smooth port operations free from encumbrances.
The General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, NPA, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara who
Disclosing this to newsmen in Lagos, Thursday, Mr Ikechukwu Onyemekara, General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, informed that the meeting which held on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at the instance of the Port Manager, Lagos Port Complex, Adebowale Lawal, had in attendance major shipping lines. These included Maersk Line, Hapag Lloyd and Pacific International Lines. Others are PIL, CMA CGM, COSCO Shipping and APM Terminals (APMT).
All shipping lines in attendance at the meeting, Onyemekara said, submitted that they had holding bays, a prerequisite for license renewal by the NPA.
“They also posited that the NPA Headquarters’ Operations Team usually inspects those holding bays to ascertain their capacity before license renewal”, the GM stated.
While requesting all the shipping lines to submit a list detailing their holding bays, including locations and capacity, the Port Management emphasized the need to be involved in the examination of those holding bays so as to keep abreast of the potential operational challenges.
On the terminal capacity at the APM Terminals, Onyemekara quoted the shipping lines as saying that the Management of APMT usually communicates available free pools to each shipping line in order to guide their container movement.
He stated that the shipping lines also blamed the significant congestion during the period under review on a simultaneous gate closure to all the shipping lines by the management of APMT.
He however said that the APMT management insisted that the terminal reached its full capacity due to increased import and export volume arguing that there was a notable delay in the evacuation of both imports and exports by the shipping lines.
Speaking on the resolutions reached at the meeting, the NPA spokesman observed that it was resolved that the APMT should regularly communicate yard stock levels to the shipping lines to improve planning and coordination.
“It was also resolved that the notification period prior to terminal gate closure should be revised as follows: five (5) days initial notice in advance; three (3) days reminder before closure and one day (1) final notice before closure.
“While it was further resolved that APMT was to engage off dock terminals by moving import containers to off dock terminals in order to create more space within the terminal, the Port Management should actively participate in the inspection and assessment of holding bays to better understand and manage capacity and operational challenges.
“While all parties acknowledged their respective responsibilities, it was agreed that better communication, timely notification and strategic use of holding bays and bonded terminals were critical to alleviating pressure on terminal capacity”, he submitted.
He thereafter quoted the Port Manager, Lagos Port Complex, Adebowale Lawal as emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced coordination among terminal operators, shipping lines and the port management to address the growing challenges related to terminal congestion, especially due to the accumulation of empty containers.
Recall that there have been insinuations suggesting that APM Terminals Apapa is not receiving empty containers, allegedly contributing to yard congestion. However, the terminal operator has clarified that the management of empty container evacuation into the terminal – and subsequent shipment onto vessels – is the exclusive responsibility of shipping lines, which own and control all containers.
In a statement recently, APM Terminals Apapa Terminal Manager, Steen Knudsen, said due to a sharp and sustained surge in import cargo volumes over recent weeks, shipping lines have had to prioritize discharging incoming laden containers over evacuating empties. This operational shift has resulted in a growing inventory of empty containers within the terminal, significantly limiting yard space.
“As a result of this accumulation, APM Terminals Apapa has had to temporarily restrict the reception of additional empty containers until the existing stock is cleared by the shipping lines”, Knudsen said.
Maritime Agencies
ANTI-SMUGGLING OPERATIONS: FOU, Zone ‘A’ Ups the Ante, Confiscates Bulletproof Vests, Cannabis Sativa,etc, worth N1.2bn
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
In pursuit of her renewed vigour to fight smuggling and criminalities through intelligence-driven operations, resilience and dedication to duty, the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lagos, has confiscated 11 used vehicles, 1,665kg of Cannabis Sativa, 4000 litres of premium motor spirit, bullet proof vests in Ogun, Lagos and other states within the South-West axis. The feat comes barely two weeks after the inaugural briefing by the Customs Area Controller of the Unit, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos, Tuesday, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu who explained that the entire seizure is worth N1.2bn announced:
“On the 23rd and 24th of May 2025, at about 0300hrs and 0230hrs, our patrol teams within Lagos metropolis acted on intelligence intercepted and seized 2X40FT containers with containers numbers (MSCU 5295718 and MRSU 5856090) respectively along Ijora-Olopa, and Mile 2 axis. The examination reports of these containers revealed the following contents: seven (7) Mitsubishi Canters five Toyota Hiace buses and three mini shuttle buses all cut up with their parts complete with clear intention of evading Customs duties.”
Other items include bicycles, 213 bales of printed wax 23 bales of used clothing, 42 used gas cylinders and 30 used flat screen televisions, 65 table-top cookers and 31 units of used split airconditioners, among others.l whose contravene Schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff.
”Similarly, on the 19th of May, 2025, at about 0300 hours, another patrol team intercepted a Volvo truck and investigation revealed it contained 1263 pieces of used tyres and other goods. One suspect was also arrested.”
”In the same vein, on the 19th of May, 2025, at about 2300h hours, our officers on a routine patrol along Shagamu/Ijebu Ode expressway in Ogun State intercepted one truck with registration number T24623LA suspected to be conveying un-customed goods including bullet -proof vests. Again, an investigation report revealed the content to include some packages of Tramadol.”
”Furthermore, on the 26th of May, 2025, at about 0600 hours, through intelligence -driven operations our men on the Ijebu Ode patrol team arrested one empty Mercedes Benz truck . Thorough rummaging of the truck and careful observation by our officers which led to the uncovering of concealment of Cannabis Sativa (Indian Hemp) in the compartments of the truck. One suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure”.
”Additionally, our patrol teams around the border areas across the six States of the Southwest have intensified surveillance of our borders against unscrupulous elements among Nigerans, resulting in several seizures of rice, Cannabis Sativa, used cars and other goods in flash points of Imeko,Ilaro, Owode, Idiroko, Ilara, Ihumbo, Abeokuta, Badagry, Agbara, Gbaji, Shaki and Iseyin in Oyo State.”
In all, forty six (46) interceptions were recorded during this two weeks of operations comprising 2051 50kg foreign parboiled rice equivalent to three trailer loads; 11 used vehicles and 1665kg of Cannabis Sativa. Others are 4000 litres of premium motor spirit, one white and black J5 commercial bus loaded with expired goods and one Volvo truck containing 180 sacks of new towel.
The DPV of the various seizures amount to N1,285,600,383. 00.
The CAC said as the lead agency in border security and trade facilitation, customs realizes the need to balance responsibilities through risk management tools. He recognized that those whose illicit businesses have been significantly hindered by customs operations will spare no efforts in devising different counter measures. He assured the public that Customs would remain alive to her responsibilities and will not be deterred by anyone out to cast aspersions on officers who have always paid ultimate price for the service to their fatherland.
”As criminals get more desperate and daring, we at the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ will ensure the sustainability of a more formidable defence against any antics devised by these non-state actors. The Nigeria Customs Service will continue to design and implement sustainable programmes that will grow our economy, increase revenue for the government and encourage legitimate trade.”
The seized 1665 kg of Indian Hemp was handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Within the two weeks of operations, the CAC stated, the Unit recovered a total of N48,340,720.08 through issuance of demand notices (DN) from improper declaration of consignments.
He commended his officers for exhibiting unwavering dedication, steadfastness, gallantry and integrity.
CG Adeniyi Commends Ogun II Command for Massive Revenue Increase.
Container Movement To Seaports: NPA Meets With APM Terminals, Shipping Lines, for Coordination.
ANTI-SMUGGLING OPERATIONS: FOU, Zone ‘A’ Ups the Ante, Confiscates Bulletproof Vests, Cannabis Sativa,etc, worth N1.2bn
INLAND WATERWAYS SAFETY: Oyetola Flags Off 3,500 Life Jacket Distribution Campaign in Lagos.
Dangote Hits Another First, Named “Most Admired African Brand” in Addis Ababa.
NPA Secures Approval to Dredge Lekki Deepsea Port Channel To 19 Metres
Apapa Customs , International Network and NDLEA Collaborate to Confiscate Unregistered Pharmaceuticals.
Nigeria Hosts French Ambassador, Seeks Support for Her IMO Council Membership Quest.
TRADE FACILITATION: Nigeria And Benin Customs Deploy SIGMAT To Address Diversion And Fraud
Improving Ease of Doing Business: NPA Set To Clear Ports Corridor
Seme Customs Collects N847m in a month, facilitates non-oil exports valued at N16Bn
CVFF Disbursement: NIMASA Raises the Bar, Undertakes Sensitization To The Delight of Stakeholders.
NPA Debunks Corruption Allegations, Urges Media To Always Seek Clarifications.
Distribution of ‘Poisoned Rice’: Count Us Out, says Seme Customs
EXPORT TRADE: AMATO Decries Sabotage of Port Entry Protocols By Operators, Restates Need For Automation.
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APFFLON Seeks Immediate Reform of CRFFN, Replacement of Registrar.
OMIS AWARDS, 2022: Greg Ogbeifun, Industry Gurus For Special Recognition.
FG Set To Re-establish National Shipping Line, To Take Advantage of $10 bn Annual Ship Charter Market.
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MAN, ORON: It’s Encomiums Galore From International Seabed Authority (ISA).
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MAN, Oron, Kick-starts Simulator-based Training, Commends FG, NIMASA.
MUAZU SAMBO: Showcasing Nigeria’s Maritime Potentials At The Global Arena
Photo News: Salah Celebration
Lilypond Export Command Is Meeting Expectations, Handles 70% of Nigeria’s Total Tonnage of Export Cargo, says CAC Odusanya.
PHOTO NEWS: Maritime Capacity Development
MARAN Salutes DCG Adeniyi On His Elevation As Customs Comptroller-General.
PUBLIC RELATIONS: New Image Maker Mounts the Saddle at NPA.
BENIN SEAPORT UPDATE: Edo State Government, Host Communities, Conduct Bidders To Inspect Project Site.
WAR AGAINST OIL THEFT: Tompolo’s Company Nabs VLCC Laden With Crude Oil
GoG SECURITY: MARAN Probes GoG-MCF/SHADE, NIMASA’s $195M Deep Blue Project.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoNPA Secures Approval to Dredge Lekki Deepsea Port Channel To 19 Metres
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoApapa Customs , International Network and NDLEA Collaborate to Confiscate Unregistered Pharmaceuticals.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoDangote Hits Another First, Named “Most Admired African Brand” in Addis Ababa.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoINLAND WATERWAYS SAFETY: Oyetola Flags Off 3,500 Life Jacket Distribution Campaign in Lagos.
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Maritime Agencies3 days agoContainer Movement To Seaports: NPA Meets With APM Terminals, Shipping Lines, for Coordination.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoANTI-SMUGGLING OPERATIONS: FOU, Zone ‘A’ Ups the Ante, Confiscates Bulletproof Vests, Cannabis Sativa,etc, worth N1.2bn
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Maritime Agencies6 hours agoCG Adeniyi Commends Ogun II Command for Massive Revenue Increase.