Headlines

NPA raises alarm over abandoned explosives at Ikorodu terminal

—-warns it is ticking time bomb.

Eyewitness reporter

For the second time within this week, the Nigerian Ports Authority( NPA) has slammed the Nigeria Customs Service over its negligence which the agency considers as an impediment to smooth port processes.

During the week, the Chairman of the governing board of NPA, Mr. Emmanuel Adesoye, raised the alarm that the consignments of chemicals and alcoholic drinks that were abandoned by the Customs as overtime cargo at the Ikorodu terminal are ticking time bomb that is waiting to explode.

Mr Adesoye, who led other members of the board to the Tin Can islands ports on a working visit during the week, expressed fears that if nothing is done to evacuate the explosive consignments, they may cause an explosion akin to what happened at Lebanon ports August 2020.

The NPA board Chairman revealed that some of these consignments have been abandoned at the terminal for close to 44 years.

He stressed the need for the Ministry of Transportation and management of NPA to engage the Finance Ministry or management of the Nigeria Customs Service as part of measures to evacuate such dangerous cargoes.

According to him, a BMW car that was imported in 1977 for the sole aim of Festac 77 was spotted at the facility, pointing out that the situation of overtime cargoes at Ikorodu Terminal calls for concerns by all parties involved in the cargo clearance processes and revenue generation for the federal government.

Ikorodu Terminal

He also stressed the need for the management of the service to evacuate the long-abandoned cargoes at the Ikorodu terminal, pointing out that such consignments are a looming danger to government assets.

“So since we were there three years ago up till now nothing has been done by the customs to evacuate those overtime cargoes?”

“There was a BMW car imported for Festac 77 celebration. Then, we all know what happened in Lebanon where items of this nature caused a serious problem for the government.

“If there are chemicals as overtime cargoes in that facility that have stayed for so long, it can lead to an explosion.

“Honestly, the Customs should do something urgently to dispose of all those overtime cargoes because the way it is, for now, we need to engage the Customs management on the need to evacuate most of the overtime cargoes.” The NPA Chairman declared.

Earlier, Port Manager, TCIPC, Engr. Ibrahim Anji highlighted challenges faced by the management of the port with the operational activities at the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal.

Anji expressed worries that the congestion at the lighter terminal at Ikorodu, stressing that the terminal is saddled with the responsibility of handling overtime cargoes at the port terminals.

It would be recalled that the Acting Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, had also complained to the House of Representatives Committee on Customs over the apparent negligence of the Customs to its statutory responsibilities in cargo clearance.

Koko had claimed that the failure of the Customs to evacuate over 5,000 overtime cargo long abandoned at the Ikorodu terminal and other terminals across the nation’s ports was the contributory factor to the rising congestion at the ports.

Headlines

NIWA partners ICPC to strengthen internal transparency in its operations

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced new strategies aimed at improving its operational system and enhancing collaboration with key stakeholders as part of efforts to boost efficiency and accountability.

Speaking at a post event Press Conference at NIWA Headquarters Lokoja, the Acting Managing Director, Umar Yusuf Girei, while answering questions from journalists stated that, the organization convened a two -day Executive and Anti-Corruption training with the theme “Strengthening Integrity and Revenue System in Inland Waterways Management” organized for Board Members, Management and Area Managers and also 2026 NIWA Management Retreat in Abuja.

The Acting MD noted as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,with the support Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Authority is focused on aligning institutional goals in ensuring better service delivery to Nigerians.

He further said, as part of its anti-corruption drive, the Management held discussions with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to explore measures for strengthening transparency within its operations.

Girei therefore, assured staff that the ongoing reforms under his watch would translate into improved service and better working conditions.

“NIWA remains committed to continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement and the reforms are expected to enhance both internal performance and public confidence”. he stated.

Headlines

Navy appoints new Maritime Guard Commander for NIMASA

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment of Commodore Reginald Odeodi Adoki as the Commander of the Maritime Guard Command at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Commodore Adoki takes over from Commodore H.C Oriekeze who has been redeployed.

Commodore Adoki, a principal Warfare Officer specializing in communication and intelligence, brings onboard 25 years experience in the Nigerian Navy covering training, staff and operations.

As a seaman, he has commanded NNS Andoni, NNS Kyanwa and NNS Kada.

It was under his command that NNS Kada under took her maiden voyage, sailing from the country of build (the United Arab Emirates) into Nigeria.

He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 2000 with a BSc in Mathematics.

He has since earned a Masters in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and an M.Sc in Terrorism, Security and Policing at University of Leicester, England.

He is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Defence and Security Studies at the National Defence Academy (NDA).

He is a highly decorated officer with several medals for distinguished service.

Welcoming the new MGC Commander to the Agency, the Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, expressed confidence in Adoki’s addition to the team, emphasising that it will further strengthen the nation’s maritime security architecture given his vast experience in the industry.

The Maritime Guard Command domiciled in NIMASA was established as part of the resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy to assist NIMASA strengthen operational efficiency in Nigeria’s territorial waters, especially through enforcement of security, safety and other maritime regulations.

Customs

Customs collects N1.585 trillion from 51 compliant traders under AEO programme

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), one of the trade facilitation tools introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2025, has begun to yield bountiful harvests with the revenue growth of ₦362.79 billion recorded in 2025.

According to the AEO scorecard released by the Service, the facilitation tool grossed the sum of N1.585 trillion after certification, an increase revenue from N1.222 trillion before certification.

This represents the growth of N362.79 billion(29.68 per cent) for 51 AEO – certified entities as at October, 2025.

The Programme, according to the NCS, also contributed 21.77% to its total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid rose by 85.66% due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.

According to AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report, the Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.

“The evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

“In the area of trade facilitation, AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60% time saving.

“Company operating costs declined by 57.2 per cent while demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention.

” Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management” the Customs declared in the AEO scorecard.

However, the Service singled out with Eight companies for commendation due to their integrity and compliance under the programme.

The companies include Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd, CORMART Nigeria Ltd, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.

The Service lauded them for a cumulative voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure.

“These actions reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.

Nevertheless, the Service suspended a firm under the programme for its non- compliance and display of lack of integrity.

The suspended firm engaged in false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations.

“Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in accordance with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The NCS reiterated that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance.

“While compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established.

“The Service remains resolute in safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework” the NCS concluded in the report.