By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Lilypond Export Command,
Mr Ajibola Odusanya says the internal port access roads in Apapa need to be cleared to ensure seamless movement of export containers into the ports for outward shipping.

This is even as he lauds the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for contributing significantly to export facilitation by creating the Electronic Call-up System (ETO) and EPTs at the ports.

Controller Odusanya who stated this in Apapa,Thursday, while interacting with members of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) at the International Press Centre, said his Command can now process exports within a few hours. But accessing the Export Processing Terminal (EPT) especially in Apapa Port is delayed due to traffic gridlock on the internal port access road.

Transferring export containers to Apapa Port, Odusanya stated, has become a challenge in recent times as priority is placed on exiting import containers out of the port.

However, he assured that the NPA and APM Terminals are working to improve on the port internal traffic.

The CAC announced that processing of exports at the dedicated Lilypond Port has improved significantly, reducing processing time to a few hours.

As part of the country’s deliberate plans to improve exportation of non-oil products, the Nigeria Customs Service and the NPA, in 2022, reached an agreement to make the Lilypond Port an export processing port.

Due to the presence of all relevant agencies in the export port, the Lilypond Port Customs Controller said, processing of export goods have become very fast and seamless, leading to processing of about $2 billion worth of exports from the port between July and December 2024.

“Since after the MoU between Customs and NPA to streamline export to Lilypond Command in July 2024 and the command became the only command processing sea- bound export, we processed about $2 billion in that period between July and December, 2024.

“In February, 2025, we processed $225 million. This achievement is made possible by collaboration with other government agencies and port stakeholders.

“We now have the DSS, NDLEA, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the quarantine service dedicated to export at Lilypond Port. Now, with synergy with these sister agencies, export goods treated at Lilypond port are not stopped by any other agency on its way to Apapa or Tincan port. Such export will only be checked by Lilypond Customs officers at the port gate and not necessarily to open the container, except there is a security alert.”

He noted that the NPA and the terminal operators would not allow the ugly port access road situation in Apapa in the past to return.

“If you go to Lilypond now you will see many containers there, but the problem is not with processing of the exports in Lilypond, but the logistics aspect of moving the containers to the ports.

“Sometimes, even when you have obtained your ETO, you won’t be able to access the port. You see the trucks lined up on the road with export containers on them. We have to work on this so that we don’t return to what it was before.
We have to keep working hard to maintain the sanity on the port road,” Comptroller Odusanya emphasised

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

In a renewed onslaught against smuggling, the Seme-Krake Border Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), between February 11 and March 13, 2025, confiscated illicit drugs, premium motor spirit (petrol) and bags of foreign rice worth N267 million whose importation contravenes the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

Customs Area Controller, Dr Ben Oramalugo disclosed this,Thursday, during his maiden press chat since assumption of office on February 11.

The import prohibited items include 181 packs of tramadol, 600 bottles of Codeine Syrup (100ml each) and 445 parcels of marijuana. Others are 240 jerrycans of premium motor spirit (PMS), 1,809 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), 17 sacks of used shoes, 56 bales of used clothes and 203 pieces of used tyres.

Pledging to deepen the campaign against smuggling in line with directives from the CGC, Adewale Adeniyi, Dr Oramalugo who appreciated the gains of inter-agency collaboration said he had engaged with key stakeholders including traditional rulers and security agencies to foster strong relationships, reinforce security measures and promote seamless trade facilitation in the border area.

“These engagements have facilitated improved intelligence-sharing and coordination, reinforcing our commitment to national security, economic regulation and the fight against smuggling. Our mission at Seme Area Command extends beyond revenue collection. It encompasses national security and economic growth which are best achieved through strong institutional partnerships.”

On revenue generation, Dr Oramalugo announced that in February alone, the Command generated N743.7million, following renewed strategies put in place to block revenue leakages and ensure maximum collection for national development.

The Command also facilitated a total of 28,395.293 metric tonnes of export produce, equivalent to 806 trailer trucks with a Free- On- Board (FOB) value of N7. 85bn.

Within the period in reference, he said, the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) was paid N 39.260, 861.25k with a total surcharge of N2.433,433.00k.

Oramalugo reaffirmed the command’s commitment to leverage on trade facilitation initiatives to foster efficient, transparent and predictable trade environment thereby contributing to Nigeria’s growth and development.

He said, “Since taking over as the Area Controller, the Command has implemented strategic measures to enhance revenue generation, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling operations, and inter-agency collaboration. These efforts align with the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service and the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi who has emphasized synergy among stakeholders to combat smuggling and strengthen border security.”

“Recognizing the importance of collaboration in achieving our objectives, I have engaged with key stakeholders, including traditional rulers and security agencies to foster strong relationships with stakeholders, reinforcing security measures and promoting seamless trade facilitation in the region.

“These engagements have facilitated improved intelligence-sharing and coordination, reinforcing our commitment to national security, economic regulation, and the fight against smuggling. Our mission at Seme Area Command extends beyond revenue collection—it encompasses national security and economic growth, which are best achieved through strong institutional partnerships.

“The achievements of the Seme Area Command within this short period are the result of the unwavering support of the CGC and his NCS Management Team, the dedication and professionalism of our officers, the effective deployment of intelligence-driven strategies and robust inter-agency collaboration as well as stakeholder engagement.”

He warned smugglers and their collaborators that their illegal activities will not be tolerated as the command is prepared more than ever to track, arrest, and prosecute offenders.

He advised people who think they cannot do without smuggling to have a rethink, embrace legitimate business that will make them contribute to national economic growth, rather than engaging in criminal activities that undermine the nation’s economy.

Receiving the illicit drugs as stipulated in the existing MOU on inter-agency collaboration, Fingeron Owen Dinneys, the Seme Area NDLEA Commander, pledged to commence investigations into the seized marijuana with a view to identifying and apprehending those responsible for the illegal importation.

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says it is ever ready to promote the equality of women and the girl-child to their male counterparts in the work place.

On this score, the agency will not relent in efforts to offer growth opportunities to all women and girls alongside their male counterparts and to practically create chances for them within and outside the NPA to be empowered to achieve the best in their abilities.

NPA Managing Director, Dr Dantsoho stated this in Lagos during the in-house celebration of the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) with the theme: ”Accelerate Action for Gender Equality”.

The agency, he announced, remains steadfast in participating in the International Women’s Day celebration and also creating systems and structures that promote women’s rights and empowerment in Nigeria.

He disclosed that the Authority has been actively recognising and advocating for women’s rights and equality in the Ports Authority, saying the organisation does not put any limit on the capacity of women and the opportunities available to them.

“For us in the Nigerian Ports Authority, we do not see IWD as another day to pay lip service to women’s rights and economic empowerment. Rather, it is a day to reflect on what we have done and to commit to doing even more.”

Some of laudable achievements of the agency in pursuit of championing women’s empowerment and gender equality, he explained, include extending the maternity leave period of women to six months and ensuring that pregnancy out of wedlock does not stop a woman from getting what is due to her.

Others are giving nursing mothers the privilege of reporting for duty one hour after the official resumption time and closing an hour earlier than the official closing time daily.

In addition, women who, by merit, qualify to handle key responsibilities at the agency like their male counterparts, are never denied such opportunity on account of sex.

In recent years, at least 12 women have qualified and served as General Managers and Port Managers. Currently, NPA has a woman, Mrs Vivian C. Richard-Edet, serving as Executive Director, Finance and Administration.

In addition to leadership roles, Dr Dantsoho explained, Nigerian women are embedded into the different units and arms of the NPA. This is as they work as pilots, in the fire service, as security officials, medical personnel and engineers within the Ports Authority.

“These are just some examples of the ways the NPA has and is actively recognising and advocating for women’s rights and equality. We do not put any limit on the capacity of women and the possibilities available to them,” he stated.

The MD however noted that despite the feats the NPA has recorded as an organisation, it is ‘not yet uhuru’ when women and girls are still being subjected to various forms of discrimination, inequality, injustice and abuse because of their gender.

“As an organisation, we promise to remain unrelenting in supporting the rights and equality for all women and girls and to practically create opportunities for women and girls within and outside the NPA to be empowered to the best of their abilities.”

He congratulated all women in the NPA for the year’s IWD and assured to continue to work with them especially when it comes to putting the Authority in the lead and providing opportunities for girls and women to actualize themselves in the maritime industry.

“Together, we will accelerate action for gender equality,” Dr Dantsoho assured.

IWD is a day set aside for recognising and honouring women’s achievements, highlighting the progress made towards achieving gender equality while calling for more efforts towards equitable societies, and advocating for increased laws, policies and actions that will end gender-based violence and all forms of discrimination against women.

Since 1911, when the first IWD was marked in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, March 8 and indeed the whole of March has become widely known as women’s history month with individuals and organisations across sectors and nations partaking in the commemoration.