Maritime Agencies
LEKKI FREE PORT & TERMINAL: We’re Unique, Not Competing With Other Ports, Says Commercial Manager.E
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Lekki Free Port Terminal (LFPT) recently inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari is now properly positioned to serve as a huge employment provider even as it is set to return Nigeria to the status of a cargo trans-shipment hub in these shores, a position which she lost to neighbouring countries’ ports years ago.
The Port is the first of its kind in cargo operations in Nigeria as it has secured brand-new automation machines to move 30 to 35 containers per hour.
It is out to operate top notch world- class terminal operations where stakeholders are guaranteed value-added services while investors are assured of worthwhile returns on investment. So far, about $100 million has been invested to procure cargo-handling equipments for smooth operations and rewarding customer services.
Kehinde Olubi-Neye, the Chief Commercial Officer, stated this Wednesday, at the Port Complex in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, during a media parley organized by the port to intimate her stakeholders on plans and projections.
Talking about local content he said it is an entrenched policy as Nigerians are well represented from the management cadre down the line. Among the staff, he said, foreigners are not up to 1%.
One of the major mandates the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) handed to the Port, he announced, is to return Nigeria to the trans-shipment status she lost to neighbouring countries’ ports over the years and maintain same, going forward.
Transshipment refers to the process of a mother vessel dropping or trans-shipping cargo and containers at designated ports on its route as it sails to her final destination.
Lekki Port can serve as a trans-shipment hub to other ports especially in the eastern area and the land-locked nations as it offers great solutions for hinterland networks.
To overcome fears about accessibility, massive progress is being made on roadworks, Olubi-Neye assured.
Inefficiency in the system, unfriendly business practices and low draught level of Nigerian ports contributed to Nigeria losing this status as importers saw need to divert cargoes to other ports.
Already, Lekki Free Port Terminal has the equipment and a draft of 16.5 metres to make the needed difference among other ports.
LFPT boasts of a truck park with holding capacity of 150. “As long as we have an uptake in volume, they will be utilized”.
“We had the opportunity of sitting with the Managing Director of NPA where he reiterated that the Lekki Port should get this cargo and ensure that the transshipment status taken away from the country returns.
He added that NPA regulates prices and is interested in ensuring the cargoes come back.
“We are sure they will provide us with the necessary support,” he enthused.
On seamless movement of trucks around the port vicinity, he assured that the company was conducting truck and driver registration to ascertain the ownership and physical fitness of trucks that come to the port to lift cargo.
“Our gates are automated and are linked with our vehicle booking system where truck drivers are required to book appointments in advance.
“It is also available on mobile phones and provides visibility on gates transactions.
“This also supports the initiative of the Lagos State Government with regard to the comprehensive call-up system for the Lagos Free Zone, Lekki Port, Dangote Free Zone, Dangote Refinery, and the Pinnacle Oil and Gas.
“We are in discussions with the Lagos State Ministry of Transport and other stakeholders on the deployment of the call-up system for the Lekki area and we have confidence that the call-up system for trucks will address concerns prospective port users will have over access to the port,” he said.
Olubi-Neye also commended the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government for road construction around the ports.
He disclosed that LFPT is collaborating with the Barge Owners Association of Nigeria (BOAN).
“We’ve started executing barge operations and this is working. We’ve been able to do significant barge moves totalling over 900 TEUs from Lekki Port to Ikorodu area”.
On concerns about scanners to ease operations, Customs operatives are training to operate the two available for now.
Other entities who took out time to make presentations included the NPA, the Directorate of State Security (DSS), Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and the Nigeria Police.
In his remarks, Ikechukwu Onyemekara who represented the NPA Managing Director acknowledged that the support of the NPA is evident. He pledged that NPA would continue to support LFPT and fast-track the actualization of every assistance needed.
The DSS stated that it has been there from the scratch and would ensure round-the-clock security at all times.
The NEPZA represented by the Zonal Administrator, Garba Hayatu, said her task is to provide a congenial business environment for operators. The Free Zone, he explained, is an affirmative policy of government to diversify revenue generation beyond oil and gas.
The Police said beside the regular force, on ground round-the-clock are the EOD (anti-bomb) and the Police Mobile Force.
“We’ve been on ground to secure personnel and operations here.”
The Port explained that satisfying stakeholders remains her priority. There are robust plans to engage and steadily interface with them for mutual benefits.
On corporate social responsibility, the Port said it is targeting employment of the locals.
“There’s a conscious effort on CSR.”
Areas of focus for assistance include vocational training, infrastructure development, community health, etc. These impactful programmes are going to be in phases.
On business rates, the Commercial Manager said they remain competitive. Truck turnaround time is 40 minutes while cargoes can be released as soon as documentations are completed.
“We’re very competitive with our rates; we’re here to collect global maritime trade in Nigeria. We are unique and not competing with any other port.”
“We are on a journey. I can assure you that our customers are a priority to us. They will always be the first for us and at every point in time, we will regularly engage them,” the Commercial Manager concluded.
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.
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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 Agencies4 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 Agencies21 hours agoCG Adeniyi Commends Ogun II Command for Massive Revenue Increase.