Maritime Agencies
PORT CHARGES: T-PACI Raises Alarm, Condemns Corruption and Unilateral Increase, Insists on Wide Consultation
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By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Patriots Anti-Corruption Initiative (T-PACI), a group of freight forwarders fighting corruption in the port industry, has revisited the issue of a unilateral increment in charges, insisting that the move remains a corrupt practice and a fraudulent system carefully designed to rip off Nigerians.
This is even as shipping companies, port concessionaires, some handpicked freight forwarder associations and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), in the week, hurriedly agreed to reduce port operation charges to douse growing tension initially created in the system.
T-PACI National President, Comrade Stephen Chigozie Ibe disclosed this in Lagos, Tuesday, while adding the association’s voice in condemning an explosive act which a hurried agreement with a handful of stakeholders can never lay to rest. Any increment in costs, he said, is usually transferred to the ultimate consumers of goods involved because the importer is in business to make profit.
“T-PACI is not saying that port concessionaires should not increase port operation charges,” he explained.
“Before such increment is effected, there should or ought to be due consultation with all relevant stakeholders, particularly the importers.”
He recalled that when the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) was in charge of the ports, storage charges were not up to N1,500, regretting that since port concessionaires took over, they have effected incessant increases in port charges almost every day, till now.
“The point being made is that their final previous storage charges was even astronomically on the high side, not to talk of now that it has been increased to N180,000 per day from the amount they were charging previously.”
The body argues that before thinking of unilaterally hiking charges, concessionaires should have been mindful of the Memorandum of Understanding it signed with the NPA many of whose terms still remain unfulfilled. Therefore, there is no justification to think of increment in port charges because doing so tantamounts to a fraudulent way of ripping off Nigerians.
Even as importers and agents pay necessary charges to concessionaires, they still find reasons not to drop their containers the same day. Instead, they are usually asked to come in five day’s time.
“It’s even absurd that the importers/agents cannot approach the concessionaires to make inquiries as to the reasons for such corrupt acts and practices owing to the fact that they (the concessionaires) have bouncers to barricade any importer/clearing agent from gaining access to their offices.”
“For instance, a cursory observation at the entrance gate of TICT at Point Road, Apapa, one will notice the presence of bouncers wearing black shirts and trousers. The same scenario is applicable at APMT.”
The T-PACI leader condemned the act of a company holding an agent’s container, advising him to come back in five day’s time even when he is ready for his container to be dropped for examination.
“They will deliberately refuse the request to drop the container for examination but will insist on charging you for storage for five days and foisting this on you.”
“The most annoying scenario is even if you come in five day’s time, you would discover to your dismay that your container might not even be among those listed to be dropped for examination. The reason they will insist the importer/agent comes in five days is to make sure they charge for storage.”
“It is very mandatory that you shall not escape paying the concessionaires the storage charges. Additionally, they have made their various terminals where they influence other government agencies to illegally and corruptly block cargoes and containers, thereafter, calling agents and importers to come forward and bribe them.
“While waiting for the bribe to be seen, the cargoes and containers will remain in their custody incurring storage charges.”
“For instance, how can you justify a space being taken by a 40ft container which is approximately 15 square meters and be collecting N100.00 per day on the container? Multiply that by 7 containers being stacked on top of the container on the ground. It will amount to N700, 000 per day. The rip-off on Nigerians is collosal.”
He condemned the various bottlenecks created by the concessionaires before containers can be cleared on time, describing them as an index of corruption which has eaten so deep into the activities of terminal opperators and government agencies.
As the concessionaires have the right to increase their operational charges when it is due, Comrade Ibe reasons, this must follow due consultation with all relevant stakeholders, he insists.
“The Patriots Anti-Corruption Initiative (T-PACI) shall lean on the side of the law and the due process of the law to make sure that corruption will not be tolerated in the country.”
Present at the briefing were the T-PACI National Secretary, Joseph Ezeali, National Public Relations Officer, Humphrey Okwuosa and Eke Okogbue, incoming Apapa Chairman. Others are Edmund Etokudor, Customs Coordinator and Barr Chukwuemeka Onyeokoro, Legal Adviser.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Captain Warredi Enisuoh, Executive Director, Operations and Technical at the Tantita Security Services Ltd, will deliver the keynote speech at the 10th Annual Maritime Students and Youth Conference (AMSAY) billed for June 10, 2026. Venue is the Conference Hall of the Mission To Seafarers, 29 Marine Road, Apapa GRA, Lagos.
As stated in a release, Enisuoh will speak on the lead paper entitled, “The Youth and the Future of Nigerian Maritime Sector: Understanding How Nations Develop Their Maritime Industry.”
Organised by Platforms Communications annually, the arrowhead, Sylvanus Obasi, says the AMSAY Conference has over the past decade evolved into a critical platform for youth advocacy, mentorship and stakeholders’-students engagement to discuss and proffer solutions to contemporary issues affecting the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector, having consistently driven conversations around industry reforms, capacity growth, innovation and sustainable development.
With over two decades of global experience spanning maritime operations, aviation, and national security, Captain Enisuoh is widely regarded as a leading authority in maritime safety, shipping development, and infrastructure protection in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
He holds a Master Mariner Class 1 Unlimited Foreign Going License, an Aircraft Pilot’s License, and a Diploma in Aviation. His academic journey includes training at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron; Arab Maritime Transport Academy, Egypt; Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania; Tasmanian Aviation College; and the Swiss Air Training Centre in Zurich.
Over the years, he has held strategic roles across continents, including eight years with Pacific International Lines in Singapore and six years with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). He also served as a lecturer, instructor, course developer, and examiner at the Australian Maritime College.
In Nigeria, he contributed significantly to sectoral development during his tenure at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), where he served as Director of Maritime Safety and Director of Shipping Development.
Capt Warredi”s Keynote Speech will also feature a high-level panel discussion moderated by Captain Dr. Fola Ojutalayo, Marine Surveyor and Senior Lecturer at the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology.
Panelists are drawn from diverse segments of the maritime industry, including regulators, shipowners, local content experts, technical professionals, legal practitioners, operators, and the academia as representatives from NIMASA, Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited, and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, are expected to discuss the lead paper .
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Ports Authority Police (Western) Command has called for deeper collaboration with maritime journalists as part of efforts to strengthen security within Nigeria’s port environment and support the growth of the nation’s maritime economy.
Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, CP Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja, made the call on Tuesday while receiving the newly elected executives of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) during a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.
The visit, led by MARAN President, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, provided an opportunity for both parties to reaffirm their commitment to promoting safety, security, and operational efficiency across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Speaking during the engagement, Onigbinde commended the Command for its efforts in safeguarding the nation’s ports and other critical maritime assets, noting that security remains a key pillar for sustainable trade and economic development.
He pledged MARAN’s continued support through responsible journalism, accurate reporting, and constructive engagement with stakeholders in the maritime sector.
According to him, the media has a crucial role to play in creating public awareness, promoting transparency, and highlighting issues that impact the efficiency and competitiveness of Nigerian ports.
In her remarks, CP Agbaminoja congratulated the newly elected MARAN leadership and acknowledged the association’s longstanding contribution to the dissemination of credible information on developments within the maritime industry.
She emphasized that stronger cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the media would enhance public trust, improve security consciousness, and contribute to national economic growth.
The Commissioner noted that effective communication and timely information sharing are essential in addressing security challenges within the port ecosystem, stressing that the media remains a strategic partner in achieving those objectives.
She further assured the association of the Command’s readiness to maintain open channels of communication and foster productive partnerships aimed at advancing port security, maritime safety, and trade facilitation.
Nigeria’s ports serve as critical gateways for international trade and revenue generation, making security within the maritime sector a matter of national economic importance. Stakeholders have consistently advocated greater collaboration among security agencies, regulators, operators, and the media to strengthen surveillance, curb criminal activities, and improve operational efficiency.
The meeting concluded with both the Ports Authority Police Command and MARAN reaffirming their commitment to sustained engagement and cooperation in support of a safer and more efficient maritime industry.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Nigeria’s pioneer maritime journalists’ body, the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) will inaugurate her brand new Executive Council on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.
The high-profile event which is planned to bring together key stakeholders from the maritime, shipping, logistics, security, and media sectors will also feature discussions on strengthening ethical standards in maritime journalism.
The theme of the inauguration is “Upholding Ethical Journalism for Maritime Development.”
The Chairman of the occasion is Emmanuel Maiguwa Gankino, President, Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN), while the keynote address will be delivered by Mr. Bolaji Abimbola, a leading public relations and event management expert.
Special Guests of Honour expected at the event include the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr. Pius Akutah Ukeyima; and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR. Also expected are chief executives of maritime agencies, captains of industry, leaders of maritime associations, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, and other critical stakeholders across the maritime value chain.
Speaking ahead of the inauguration, MARAN President, Comrade. Oluyinka Onigbinde, described the event as a defining moment in the association’s journey towards deepening professionalism, credibility, and responsible maritime reportage.
The new executive council, he stated, will focus on repositioning MARAN as a stronger voice within the maritime sector through capacity building, constructive engagement, and adherence to ethical journalism standards.
He noted that the theme of the event underscores the indispensable role of the media in promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable development within Nigeria’s maritime industry.
“The maritime industry is central to Nigeria’s economic growth, and ethical journalism remains a vital instrument for ensuring that developments within the sector are accurately reported and constructively engaged,” he added.
Onigbinde further called on government agencies, industry operators, and media practitioners to continue supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening maritime journalism and advancing the nation’s blue economy aspirations.
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