Headlines

Amaechi applauds progress of work at Lekki deep seaport

Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation

….Commends NPA’s support to early completion of people

Eyewitness reporter

The Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has applauded the pace of work at the Lekki Deep Seaport project while expressing hope that operational and commercial services at the port would commence by the last quarter of 2022.

The Minister, while on an assessment tour of the port site last Saturday, in the company of senior government functionaries and heads of relevant agencies including Acting Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko and Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council, Hon. Emmanuel Jime described the level of construction work as very impressive and commended the Bello-Koko-led Management of NPA for availing the contractors the necessary support.

Amaechi charged the contractors to sustain the tempo of work while urging them to re-double their efforts to ensure the scheduled commissioning date and commencement of cargo operations is achieved.

He emphasized that President Mohammadu Buhari-led Federal Government remains committed to delivering efficient port services, in line with international best practices.

Speaking to the project contractors on his observations, the Minister said: “the last time we came, there was no quay wall, just the breakwaters. But today, there are many visible improvements. It doesn’t mean that you have delivered; it simply means you will achieve it.

“The last time we came, your chairman said it wasn’t possible, and I told him to wait and see, if it’s not possible, then you know that I am not Minister of Transport.

” We are supposed to commission by September, which is in the old agreement, but if you double your efforts on this job, we can commission (it) by July”.

The Chief Operating Officer of Lekki Port/Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ), Laurence Smith, thanked the Minister and his team for the visit.

He appealed for increased government support on the construction of access roads to the port location as well as linking the port to the national railway grid.

He acknowledged the support and synergy provided by the Bello-Koko led Management of the NPA, especially in the procurement of Vessel Tracking System (VTS) for the Lekki channel and other port locations in the country; procurement of two (2) 80 tons bollard pull ASG Tugboats and two (2) pilot boats for deployment to the Lekki Deep Seaport.

Meanwhile, the Lekki port will have a truck parking area with a capacity for 300 trucks to avoid indiscriminate parking of trucks on the access road to the port when it becomes operational in the next few months.

At the terminal area, the Customs Building will have a full-fledged examination bay for proper inspection before trucks are allowed to evacuate the area. There is also a dedicated area for impounded goods.

Construction is ongoing for reefer connections to handle perishable commodities; erection of light masts which will be 25m high, so that the whole area is fully lit 24hrs daily.

Dredging and reclamation work is now at 89.93 percent completion, quay wall 85.65 percent completion, breakwater 79.66 percent completion, land-side infrastructure 6.82 percent completion, thus bringing total works carried out on the project to approximately 80 percent completion.

Equity owners of the Lekki Deep Seaport are Tolaram Group, China Harbour Engineering Company, Lagos State Government and Nigerian Ports Authority (on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria).

On completion, it would be a world-class multi-purpose facility, serving as a regional distribution and transshipment hub for West and Central Africa.

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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.