Maritime Agencies
MAMAL 2025: Shippers’ Council Canvasses Removal of WRI Surcharge on Nigeria -Bound Ships
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
A strong case has been made for a downward review or outright removal of the current War Risk Insurance (WRI) premium surcharge imposed on vessels that call at Nigerian ports since issues of privacy and attack have stopped for a good period in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NEC), Dr Pius Akutah made the call in Lagos, Wednesday, while speaking at the third edition of the Annual Maritime Lecture tagged ‘MAMAL, 2025’, hosted by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) with the theme ‘Addressing the Burden of War Risk Insurance on Nigeria’s Maritime Trade’.
Speaking through Mrs Margaret Ogbonna, the agency’s Director of Regulatory Affairs, the Executive Secretary recalled that in recent years, Nigeria has achieved a significant reduction in piracy and armed robbery attacks at sea through the combined efforts of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Navy who have strategically partnered to promote effective regional and international border surveillance, realizing the dent the menace was giving to Nigeria’s image all over the world.
According to him, it was as a result of the sustained investments in the maritime domain awareness, improved inter – agency cooperation, deployment of the Deep Blue Project and Nigeria’s fair commitment to uphold the safety and security in the maritime environment.
Dr Akutah regretted that despite these giant strides, Nigeria remains unfairly categorized as a high risk shipping zone, thereby attracting exorbitant war risk insurance premium surcharge.
Forcing importers and exporters to pay so much money in form of war risk insurance, he argued, is not what can be ignored further as the burden of the costs is ultimately transferred to importers and down to the prices of imported commodities thereby hiking inflation and undermining the competitiveness of maritime trade.
Dr Akutah argued that as the Economic Regulator and a strong advocate for the protection of shippers’ interests, the Council would consistently campaign for a downward review or outright removal of the war risk insurance surcharge. He also reiterated the Council’s firm belief that the continued imposition of the surcharges is no longer justifiable, given the improved security matrix and Nigeria’s demonstrable commitment to safe shipping.
He expressed optimism that based on reports available, efforts are being made towards a robust engagement with the international Underwriter, Lloyds Marketers Association and local counterparts to advocate a data-driven re – assessment of the risk status of Nigerian waters.
He restated the Council’s plan to engage with NIMASA and other agencies to compile and present an empirical evidence that really reflects the current security reality in nation’s maritime domain.
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, he assured, fully supports the ongoing discussions at the ECOWAS, the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Collaboration Forum and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) aimed at securing the recognition of Nigeria’s achievements and the need for a fairer treatment by the global Shipping and Insurance Community.
While applauding MARAN for beaming a searchlight on this matter at a time like this, the NSC boss pledged that moving forward, the agency would recognise the fact that addressing these challenges requires constant collaboration between the Government, Private Sector, the Media and the international partners.
He promised to stand firm with all port users to ensure that the costs of doing business in the nation’s seaports reflect the present realities, not outdated perceptions. The Council is ever committed towards building a cost- efficient, secure and competitive maritime sector that supports Nigeria’s economic growth and trade development, Akutah assured.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Maritime Seminar for Judges annually hosted by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has been described as a conduit for financial and human waste and must be discontinued and scarce resources directed to profitable endeavours with direct bearing on the agency’s statutory mandate.
National Coordinator of Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers and Exporters Coalition (SNFFIEC), Chief Patrick Osita Chukwu stated this in Lagos, Tuesday. He called on the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Barr. Pius Akutah to suspend what he referred to as a jamboree and, instead, free the funds involved to train freight forwarders and other operators for enhanced operations in the shipping industry.
He said that appropriating huge funds to judicial seminars while neglecting her core mandate as the nation’s port economic regulator is improper on the part of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
Organizing judicial seminars, he declared, falls under the purview of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), not the NSC. Chukwu warned that if the council goes ahead to plan for the Judge’s Seminar, going forward, SNFFIEC would seek legal interpretation as well as embarking on industrial action to insist that the right thing is done.
He said: “Recall plans by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to continue hosting the annual Maritime Seminar for Judges. This is a waste of human and financial resources the agency would have used to take care of shippers and the ports.” Since becoming the economic regulator of the ports, he alleged, there have not been concrete actions by the agency to reposition the ports to make them as business – friendly as other ports across the globe.
”I say it that it is not only an economic waste but negates the principle of getting the right to things done for our ports and shippers. We have been trying our best to see that the trillions they are making in all Nigerian customs ports impact on the shippers. Transaction of business in Nigeria has remained so bad that whatever you’re seeing today is not what supposed to be.”
The SNFFIEC boss said it is a huge challenge to his organization and others that the Council ‘s ES cannot be accessed because he hardly stays around to listen to genuine complaints by stakeholders who matter in the sector.
”We are yet to feel the impact of the NSC’s regulatory role. Each time you visit the NSC, the Executive Secretary is not in the office. He’s always away, spending shippers’ money on training judges,” he said.
”We need the NSC to resist whatever may be the pressure that will undermine the principle of accountability and all other actions that can jeopardize the economy by the way they are going.”
”We have the National Judicial Council which can be very free and pragmatic enough to undertake seminars and training sessions for judges.”
SNFFIEC, he indicated, considers sending a petition to the President, the National Assembly, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, and the Attorney General of the Federation on the need to probe the activities and finances of the Shippers’ Council to ensure the proper things are done and accountability enthroned.
Up to the time of going to press, efforts to obtain reactions from the Shippers’ Council yielded no fruits as calls to the Executive Secretary did not go through.
Maritime Agencies
Industry Gurus Head To Badagry As BACCIMA, Portbizness Discuss Trans-Border International Trade.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BACCIMA), in conjunction with Portbizness News is set to host the second edition of her annual Trans-border International Trade Discourse in Badagry.
According to a statement jointly issued by James Shodiya, the Project Director, and Alhaji Yahaya Oladiran Idris, the President of BACCIMA,
the conference slated for December 12 and 13 takes place by 2pm each day. Venue is Sycomore Hotel & Suites, Ajara, Badagry, Lagos.
It is designed to discuss actionable strategies to strengthen regional cooperation and enhance competitiveness within the framework of the Continental trade agreements such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA).
The organizers note that in an increasingly interconnected global economy, Cross-Border Trade has become a critical vehicle to deliver regional growth, economic integration and sustainable development.
But in Nigeria, trans-border trade continues to grapple with numerous challenges such as tariff and non-tariff barriers, infrastructure gaps, inconsistent government policies and limited access to funds.
”Against this backdrop, Portbizness News is partnering with the foremost Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines & Agriculture ( BACCIMA) to host the 2025 edition of its
PORTS & TRANS-BORDER INT”L TRADE DISCOURSE – a high level Platform that brings together policy makers, trade practitioners, business leaders, researchers and development partners to discuss challenges and opportunities in promoting seamless trade across borders.”
The event’s theme is ‘Bridging Borders, Building National Prosperity and Strengthening Regional Trade’. Day 1 covers Lecture, Discourse and Gala Night, while Day 2 will feature a Delegates’ Excursion to Tourist Destinations.
Chairman of the event is Hon (Dr) Segun Musa, Chairman/Chief Consultant, Global Transport Policy while Dr. Azeez A. Mustapha and Mr Kola Awe, Chairman, NACCIMA Export Group are the keynote speakers .
Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, Executive Chairman, Badagry Local Government is the Special Guest of Honour while Alhaji Olanrewaju Akeem, MD/CEO, Taloid Group of Companies will be Father of the Day.
Mother of the Day will be Comrade Onome Monije, ANLCA PRO, Tincan Chapter.
Maritime Agencies
OGUN 1 CUSTOMS: DC Oladapo Afeni Pledges Stronger Trade Facilitation, Border Security As He Becomes Acting CAC.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
A change of guards took place Thursday at the Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Idiroko, with Comptroller Godwin Otunla, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), handing over to Deputy Controller Oladapo Afeni on acting capacity. The change in leadership is sequel to a directive from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Adewale Adeniyi.
The Command’s image maker, Deputy Superintendent of Customs Chado Zakari, disclosed this in a press statement.
At the handing-over ceremony, the image maker stated, the new Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC) expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs for reposing confidence in him and pledged to advance and deepen ongoing reforms in trade facilitation, revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations.
Describing the Ogun I Command as a strategic gateway to the nation’s economy and a critical line of defence against illicit cross-border activities, DC Afeni stated that he was aware of the unique operational challenges available.
“It is a great honour to assume the leadership of Ogun I. I am fully aware of the vast and sensitive terrain of this Command and its importance to national security”.
He pledged to consolidate on the gains of his predecessors as he strives to deepen continuous improvement in efficiency, enforcement, intelligence-led operations, stakeholder collaboration and community relations.
He further emphasised his commitment to deepening inter-agency cooperation, suppressing smuggling to the barest minimum and prioritising the welfare and professional growth of officers under his watch.
DC Afeni, an accomplished administrator with nearly two decades of service, holds a B.Tech in Industrial Design from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, and a Master’s degree in Diplomacy and Strategic Studies from the University of Lagos. His professional training spans conflict management, international negotiation, strategic leadership and rural border patrol operations. He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and a fellow of the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria (Chartered).
In his valedictory speech earlier, the outgoing Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Godwin Otunla, described his tenure as challenging yet fulfilling. He highlighted strides made under him in curbing smuggling, enhancing trade facilitation and improving personnel welfare. He noted that strengthened inter-agency collaboration under his leadership significantly boosted security within the Command’s area of responsibility.
He expresseed confidence that DC Afeni would consolidate on his achievements and lead the Command to greater heights.
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Maritime Agencies4 days agoIndustry Gurus Head To Badagry As BACCIMA, Portbizness Discuss Trans-Border International Trade.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoMARAN Dissolves Exco, Appoints An Interim Leadership.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoShippers’ Council Boss, Akutah, Advocates Stronger Alternative Disputes Resolution, Bags Special Honours from NBA
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoMMA Customs Command Hits 100.1% of Annual Revenue Target 11 Months Before Year-End.
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Maritime Agencies2 days agoMARITIME SEMINAR FOR JUDGES: Group Urges Probe of Shippers’ Council Funds.
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoOGUN 1 CUSTOMS: DC Oladapo Afeni Pledges Stronger Trade Facilitation, Border Security As He Becomes Acting CAC.