Maritime Agencies
Shippers’ Council, Nigeria Railway Corporation Partner To Promote Cargo Transshipment By Rail.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
To resolve numerous problems of cargo movement through the rail, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Thursday, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate and promote effective transshipment of cargo to all nooks and crannies of the country, going forward.
The MoU marked the highlight of events at a one-day stakeholders’ summit in Lagos on the theme “Limitations To Rail Transportation of Cargo in Nigeria”.
Declaring the well-attended event open, the NSC Executive Secretary, Barr. Pius Akutah, MON, harped on the need to increase exports, saying that more than ever before, the port economic regulator is set to identify and resolve challenges bedeviling cargo transportation in Nigeria.
Seated: Engr Fidet Okhiria, MD, NRC and Barr Pius Akutah, ES, NSC signing the MoU.
“We are working with the NRC,” he stated, “to encourage railway utilization for cargo evacuation and conveyance of goods from hinterlands to the ports.”
“Railway has been found to be the best mode for transporting cargoes in terms of safety and it is also cost-efficient. This MoU with NRC is to develop policies and infrastructure to enhance the use of railway for cargo transshipment.”
“Nigeria is looking at improving its exports under the present government. This is also important to make Nigerians benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) trade. If Nigerians are going to favourably compete in the regional trade, then the cost of transportation for moving cargoes to seaports must be reduced.”
The ES disclosed that the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is working on a policy to address infrastructure deficits at Nigerian ports part of which is involving private sector investors since the government cannot do it all.
The NSC’s partnership with the NRC, he said, will facilitate the development and use of inland container depots all over Nigeria.
In his remarks, Engr Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director, NRC, described the MoU as a work tool for his agency and the NSC to jointly confront the problems militating against seamless rail cargo movement to and from the seaport terminals to the advantage of shippers. However, his worry is the availability of cargoes to be conveyed.
“The last time we moved about 17 containers to Kano, it took us a very long time to gather these containers. We also try to encourage manufacturers to come together so that we can move their goods in bulk,” Okhiria said.
He called on terminals with access to railway lines to provide an enabling environment for importers and exporters to move their cargo by rail.
Speaking on what she described as the poor patronage of rail haulage, Mrs Chinwe Ezenwa, CEO, Le Look Bags, advised the NRC to do more publicity and sensitization on its railway cargo routes and services.
“We are glad to have witnessed this MoU between NRC and Shippers’ Council because we are in the business of exports. But witnessing the MoU is one thing and having it effectively executed is a completely different matter.”
She expressed optimism that if the rail system works as expected, the cost of manufacturing and other overheads would surely go down.
“Surely an optimized railway system will bring done the cost of manufacturing. There are some raffia we need for manufacturing that are found in Cross River State and it is so expensive to move by road. Moving by railway makes it cheaper and enables us save cost,” she explained.
Explaining the role of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in evacuation of cargoes from seaports, the Customs Area Controller, Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Deraa Nnadi, mni, observed that the Service inspects and documents cargoes before they exit the seaports.
Nnadi encouraged shippers and their freight agents to gainfully utilize the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) to have an estimate of the cost of Customs duty and expedite cargo clearance.
While emphasizing the need for Nigeria to pay greater attention to exports, he described the NSC/NSC MoU as commendable.
In her goodwill message, the Chairperson, Apapa Local Government Council, Hon (Mrs) Idowu Sebanjo, lamented that her local government and residents are not enjoying the dividends of being a landlord to Papa and Tincan Island ports, the biggest seaports in Nigeria.
“Government should look inwards,” she advised, “and rebuild Apapa as a strategic ports city, taking advantage of the presence of key government agencies.”
“There are no proper roads to service the train stations at Apapa. The Flour Mills access road isn’t sufficient and we hope that something will be done about this amid plans to refurbish the railway. Apapa isn’t benefitting from having the nation’s biggest seaports,” Sebanjo said.
In addition to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and freight forwarding organizations, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) and the Nigeria Police Force also attended the event.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
In the ongoing efforts to thwart economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, Tantita Security Services Ltd, the firm engaged in pipeline surveillance operations in the oil -rich region, has nabbed four suspected oil thieves, intercepting their vessel named MT Thor. Suspects are to undergo trial for economic sabotage .
Speaking at the handover of the suspects at Koko Port, Tantita’s Executive Director of Operations, Capt Warredi Enisouh, said the suspects were apprehended with an unspecified quantity of suspected illegally-sourced petroleum products aboard the vessel.
The interception occurred on 15 December 2025, around the Koko–Excravos axis of Delta State, says a situation report made available by the Special Prosecution Team (SPT) of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Product Theft.
The report stated that Tantita alerted the Head of Investigation of the SPT after intercepting MT Thor, allegedly laden with crude oil obtained through illicit means.
It was further alleged that the vessel was being escorted by personnel of the Police Marine Unit, Delta State, who reportedly claimed they were acting on directives from the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja.
Preliminary investigations by law enforcement agencies revealed that the vessel, now classified as an exhibit in an ongoing criminal investigation, is linked to a jetty operated by Ebenco Global Services Limited. Investigation officers disclosed that documents and correspondence connected to the jetty were obtained and are currently under review.
“The owner of the jetty, Mr. Ebenezer, was contacted by investigators and reportedly provided additional documents, including court orders, which are also being analysed as part of the investigation.
“On December 16, a joint investigation team led by the Head of Investigation of the SPT conducted a Joint Inspection Visit in Koko. The team first met at Tantita’s corporate headquarters in Warri for a briefing, which was also attended by the jetty owner.
“During the inspection, investigators attempted to obtain samples from MT Thor but were unable to do so immediately as the vessel had not yet arrived at the jetty, having been towed from an earlier location by security operatives.
“While awaiting the vessel’s arrival, the team inspected other containers suspected to be carrying crude oil within the premises of Ebenco Global Links Limited, where samples were taken from a storage barge.
“MT Thor eventually berthed at about 8:30 p.m. on 16 December, prompting the joint team to adjourn sampling and other procedures until the following day. As of 17 December 2025, investigators were reported to be en route to Koko to continue sample collection and complete investigation formalities,” the report read.
Receiving the suspects, the Head of the Special Prosecution Team of the Inter-Agency Task Force, Omar Sini, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to dismantle crude oil theft networks in the Niger Delta, assuring that all findings would be thoroughly examined and prosecuted in line with the law.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Seven days to the end of 2025, the Tincan Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has comfortably met her revenue target for the year, exceeding same by over N51.8 billion.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka who stated this in Lagos, Wednesday, announced that the Command generated a total of ₦1.576 trillion in revenue, surpassing its assigned target of ₦1.524 trillion by about ₦51.84 billion.
The performance which he described as remarkable came about following the decision of his officers and men to be on the path of discipline, professionalism and unwavering commitment to trade rules and regulations.
Other enhancers of the achievement, he explained, included the strict implementation of deliberate reforms, improved operational efficiency and a strong sense of collective responsibility.
He said that major contributors to the increased revenue in the year included bulk cargo, general merchandise and imported ‘tokunboh’ vehicles. Strict cargo examination procedures and full compliance with customs regulations ensured accurate assessment and collection of expected revenue.
The Command employed conscious efforts to eliminate revenue leakages and operational inefficiency even as multiple and unnecessary alerts were substantially curtailed by adopting a streamlined alert management and enhanced internal coordination.
“This strategy improved operational efficiency without compromising effective customs control”, the CAC disclosed.
Commending the role of stakeholders engagement in the realization of the annual revenue, Onyeka recalled regular interaction with importers, licensed customs agents, terminal operators and shipping companies.
Diligent enforcement coupled with intelligence-driven operations also resulted in massive seizure of prohibited and undeclared goods.
“These seizures reflect our determination to facilitate trade while safeguarding national security, public safety, and economic integrity”, he remarked.
He assured that the Command is ever ready to sustain and improve on the 2025 revenue performance and compliance enforcement. All revenue due to the federal government will be properly assessed, collected and remitted at all times.
The Tin Can Island Port Customs boss expressed appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs, Dr. Adewale Adeniyi for his strategic leadership and institutional support, noting that the Command’s success aligns with the Service’s ongoing reform and modernisation agenda.
He also commended stakeholders for their cooperation and commitment to improved compliance and adherence to extant rules.
“As we progress, the Command remains focused on consolidating these gains, deepening transparency, and contributing meaningfully to the federal government’s fiscal objectives”, Onyeka stated.
Customs
NSC Boss, Akutah, Speaks At Maritime Journalists’ Seminar, Harps on Developing Trends the Press Cannot Overlook.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
It has been canvassed that as the maritime industry grows in complexity, driven by digitalization, new trade realities, regulatory reforms and global logistic shifts, journalism practice within the space should toe the same line.
Dr Pius Ukeyima Akutah, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) stated this in a keynote address he delivered in Lagos, Thursday, during the 10th Anniversary Annual Seminar for Maritime Journalists hosted by First Mediacon Network Ltd, publishers of Shipping Position Daily.
Acknowledging that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has benefitted immensely from the sustained and professional coverage offered by the maritime press, more collaborative efforts is needed to enhance efficiency and competitiveness in the port environment. He was represented by the agency’s Director of Special Duties, Mr Moses Abere.
”This decade-long journey affirms a simple truth: no maritime sector can advance without a strong, knowledgeable and committed media community.” Akutah added.
Strengthening maritime journalism for the future, he noted, requires technical accuracy, understanding of global practices and an appreciation of regulatory frameworks.
The journalist should also be equipped to interrogate data, utilize digital tools and apply emerging technologies such as Al in research, storytelling and analysis.
He added that in a sensitive sector such as maritime, misinformation can undermine policy, investor confidence and national economic stability.
”At the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, we remain committed to open communication and structured engagement with the media to enhance mutual understanding and sectoral development.”
Akutah assured that the NSC would continue to partner with the press through knowledge-sharing, capacity-building collaborations and joint initiatives that support a more informed and capable maritime media landscape.
”As the Port Economic Regulator, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council remains committed to promoting efficiency, transparency and competitiveness within the maritime sector.”
”We consider the media as essential partners in informing stakeholders, shaping public understanding and strengthening accountability.”
”We will continue to support credible and responsible maritime journalism and are open to meaningful engagements that enhance professionalism and knowledge within the press community.”
Dr Akabogu (left) presenting a souvenir to Dr Maiwada, National PRO, Nigeria Customs Service.
As the press celebrates
a 10-year milestone, Akutah advised, there should be a commitment to build a stronger future, one defined by accurate information, robust collaboration and shared progress.
Unveiling the Centre for Maritime Media & Capacity Development at the event, Mr Sesan Onileimo, CEO First Mediacon Network Ltd stressed the need to future-proof maritime reporting in Nigeria. The new Centre, he said, was created to respond to rapid changes reshaping journalism and the maritime sector.
“The maritime media space is evolving rapidly under the pressure of digitalisation, artificial intelligence and social media. This Centre is our bold response to ensure journalists remain knowledgeable, relevant and impactful, regardless of how long they have been on the beat,” Onileimo explained.
The Centre, he added, would not only take over the organisation of the annual seminar but would also deliver continuous, year-round manpower development programmes for maritime journalists and content creators.
“What we are doing is moving from an annual event to a permanent structure for capacity development. The Centre is also open to partnerships with industry stakeholders who share our vision of a stronger and more professional maritime media,” Onileimo added.
Dignitaries at the event included Mr Babandede, ACG Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service accompanied by the National Public Relations Officer, Dr Aliyu Maiwada, notable maritime lawyer Dr Emeka Akabogu (SAN) and Dr Kayode Farinto, former Acting National President of ANLCA.
NIGER DELTA SECURITY : Tantita Arrests 4 Oil Thieves, Nabs Vessel .
Tincan Customs Achieves N51.8Bn Surplus Above 2025 Revenue Target
NSC Boss, Akutah, Speaks At Maritime Journalists’ Seminar, Harps on Developing Trends the Press Cannot Overlook.
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