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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎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.
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‎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.
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‎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.
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‎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.
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‎The General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, NPA, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara who
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‎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).
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‎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.
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‎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.
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‎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.
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‎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.
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‎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.
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‎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.
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‎“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.
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‎“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.
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‎“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.
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‎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.
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‎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.
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‎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.
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‎“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.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎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.

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‎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.
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‎”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.”
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‎”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.”
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‎”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”.
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‎”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.”
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‎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.
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‎The DPV of the various seizures amount to N1,285,600,383. 00.
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‎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.
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‎”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.”
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‎The seized 1665 kg of Indian Hemp was handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and possible prosecution.
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‎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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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎As part of the Federal Government’s nationwide water safety campaign aimed at enhancing security on Nigeria’s inland waterways, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, Wednesday, officially launched the distribution of 3,500 life jackets in Lagos State.
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‎The event, held during a Marine Safety Sensitization and Life Jackets Distribution Exercise in Lagos, underscores the ministry’s unwavering commitment to a safety-first culture, particularly in riverine communities where water transport is a daily mode of movement.
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‎Represented by Dr. Mercy Ilori, a Director in the Ministry, Oyetola disclosed that the initiative—already carried out in Niger, Bayelsa, Anambra, and Akwa Ibom States—would extend to other coastal states over the coming months, with a target of reaching 12 states within the shortest possible time.
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‎Highlighting the importance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Minister outlined three core pillars of the campaign. These include Enforcement of the Inland Waterways Transportation Regulations 2023, ongoing public sensitization on safety, and provision of life-saving equipment, including life jackets.
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‎Oyetola praised the proactive efforts of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in transforming water transportation in Lagos and commended the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for its regulatory oversight and public awareness drives.
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‎Calling for grassroots participation, the Minister urged boat operators, community leaders, and transport unions to adopt the life-saving slogan: “No life jacket, no entry.” He stressed that life jackets are “shields, not inconveniences,” and called on all stakeholders to make water safety a shared responsibility.
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‎Also speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, described the initiative as a timely intervention. With over 85% of daily commutes in Lagos currently done via road, Osiyemi emphasized the importance of expanding safe and reliable water transport to meet the needs of the state’s growing population.
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‎“This initiative is not just about safety gear; it’s about building a safety culture,” Osiyemi said, thanking the Federal Ministry and NIWA for their support and partnership.
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‎In his address, NIWA Managing Director, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, emphasized that in the water transport sector, safety is the real measure of success. “While profitability is key in finance, safety is our profit here,” he stated.
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‎He reiterated NIWA’s determination to achieve zero fatalities on Nigeria’s waterways and confirmed that six of the twelve targeted states have already benefitted from the campaign. “We are committed to reaching the rest in the next one to two years,” he said.
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‎Oyebamiji highlighted the strict safety enforcement in Nigeria: “Here, if you don’t wear a life jacket, you don’t get into the boat. It’s that serious.”
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‎Earlier, Mr. Damilola Emmanuel, General Manager of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), welcomed participants and applauded the Federal Government’s leadership on safety. “This is more than just a distribution—it is a significant step toward sustainable water transport. Safety is what keeps our waterways functional and reliable,” he said.
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‎The event brought together stakeholders from across the marine and blue economy sector, reinforcing the shared vision of a safe, secure, and efficient inland water transport system across Nigeria.
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