Headlines

COMTUA mocks Adeyanju over his NLC election victory

The Eyewitness reporter

The frosty relationship between the Council of Maritime Transport Unions And Associations (COMTUA) and the President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju seems not to be over as the amalgamated body of truckers took a swipe at the new National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over his electoral victory.

In its largely satirical congratulatory message to the NLC leader, COMTUA urged the newly elected Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, to use his new position to fight for the common cause of maritime workers, instead of pursuing a narrow interest.

In the message signed by the National President of COMTUA, Mr Adeyinka Aroyewun, the group enjoined Comrade Adeyanju to transcend from being a sectional leader of maritime workers into a more mature national leader with a large heart.

Aroyewun said the new NLC Deputy President should purge himself of bias and complexes which he claimed were responsible for the breakaway of MWUN from the group.

He advised Adeyanju to use his newly found height in union politics to redeem his image and integrity

“I on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Executive and the entire members of The Council of Maritime Transport Unions And Associations ( COMTUA) wishes to congratulate you on your election to the highly referred position in the Nigerian Labour Congress.

“We saw it coming, we knew it will happen and we strongly believe it is well deserved.

“We sincerely hope you will see this as a larger National position that should develop you into a more National leader beyond your bias for the interest of Maritime Workers Union alone.

“We are glad you are now lending your voice to call for the arrest and prosecution of hoodlums extorting and causing mayhem along port access roads and corridors.

“I shall be prompt to intimate you that they are led by Taofeek Shoriola, a member of your union whose stock in trade is to extort truckers using you as his shield.

“You have this golden opportunity to redeem your image and strongly believe you have a greater height to reach if you heed wise counsels.

“Your frosty relationship with COMTUA and BOAN has shown that others will suffer the same fate in your hands until you purge yourself and the union of the complexes surrounding your body.

“Once again CONGRATULATIONS sir”

It could be recalled that the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) was part of the COMTUA, which was an amalgamated body consisting of NATO, NURTW, AMATO, MWUN and other truck owners associations who came together to collaborate with government efforts to fight the menace of traffic gridlock and extortions on the port access road.

Soon after, there were irreconcilable differences among the constituents of COMTUA which led to the breakaway of MWUN and a few others.

Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, the newly elected Deputy President of NLC, is also the President General of MWUN.

Freight Monitor

Freight forwarding business under threat as Customs Agents lament high cost of goods clearance at ports

— We are diversifying into other businesses to stay afloat– ANLCA Chieftain cries out.

Funso OLOJO

This is not the best of times for freight forwarders who ply their trade at the Nigerian ports.

This is because their cherished trade is under threat due to the astronomical increase in the cost of clearance of goods at the ports.

Due to the plethoral of charges slammed on importers/ Shippers at the Port, most of them could not afford to bring in as many containers as before while others have outrightly stopped the importation business.

This development, our reporter gathered, has therefore put the freight forwarding business on the brink of collapse due to lack of patronage.

According to the cost analysis of cargo clearance procedures at the Port, an average importer, using the Nigerian ports, pays more than six different exorbitant charges apart from customs duties.

For instance, before an importer could exit his goods from the ports, he pays the following charges.

a. N500,000 NAFDA Certification

b. N500,000 SON Certification

c.45 per cent( up from 30 per cent) terminal operators and shipping companies service fees/ charges

d. N 150,000 to N200,000 NESREA/ other Environmental Agencies charges

e. N45,000 per day demurrage on 20- footer container

f.N68,500 per day demurrage on 40- footer container

g.20 million Customs duty on 20- footer container

h.26 million Customs duty on 40- footer container.

In addition to these charges, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has recently increased its tariff by 15 percent.

It could also be recalled that the Nigeria Customs Service only recently put on hold the 4 per cent Free on Board (FOB) charge on imports due to the outcry of freight forwarders .

However, the FOB charge would eventually be reinstated later after sufficient consultations and sensitization are carried out by the customs.

Alhaji Mukaila Abdullaziz, the former Sole Administrator of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents(ANLCA) said the listed bills are more than that.

“What you have just listed was an average cost, they are more than that” he declared with a hint of bitterness in his voice, when asked to confirm the cost analysis as the foremost freight forwarder in the industry.

” The Customs’ Federal Operations Unit(FOU) is still there.

“Their officers will lay siege on the road for a container that have already paid the exorbitant fees you have mentioned.

“They too will slam their panthom charges on the already exited container and if you don’t pay, they will impound it and take it to their office” the ANLCA Chieftain declared.

When asked how freight forwarders break even in the face of these multiple charges, Abdullaziz retorted;

” We are not breaking even .No agent is breaking even except the dare- devil ones who are ready to do anything to break even.

“But for some of us who are old hands on the job and have names to protect, we are not breaking even because we are not ready to compromise the system”

“That is why most of us have diversified into other businesses to stay afloat”.

“The freight forwarding industry is dead” he said with a hint of regret in his emotion – laden voice.

Our reporter could confirm that most of the old hands in the freight forwarding business have diversified into hospitality business as they are owners of choice hotels spread across Lagos and other commercial cities in Nigeria.

Headlines

Dantsoho,NPA MD, plays host to Japanese agency, Vicky Haastrup for strategic collaborations

Funso OLOJO

In continuation of his strategic engagements with institutions and individuals that would drive the operational efficiency of the agency, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abdulahi Datsotho, has played host to Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Mr. Yuzurio Susumu at the NPA Headquarters Marina.

The meeting focused on harnessing the technical and allied synergies necessary to actualize the Dantsoho-led Management team’s quest to deepen the eco-friendliness of Nigerian Ports through renewable energy and increased automation.

JICA is an implementing agency of Japanese Official Development Aid (ODA) for the purpose of supporting the socioeconomic development and economic stability of developing regions.,

Similarly, Dr Dantsoho received in audience Olori Vicky Ayodele Haastrup, the wife of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland at the NPA Headquarters.

Princess Vicky Haastrup, who is also Chairperson Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) pledged the institution’s support for the Dantsoho-led management team’s renewed effort at advancing the frontiers of trade facilitation.

Customs

Apapa Customs concludes three-day refresher training for promoted senior officers

Funso OLOJO

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Area Command has concluded

a three-day refresher training programme for its newly promoted Deputy Controllers (DCs) and Assistant Controllers (ACs).

Declaring the training open on Monday, 10 February 2025, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, emphasised the Command’s commitment to continuous professional development.

“For newly promoted DCs, you are captains of vital entry and exit points and responsible for overseeing all operations, among others.

” Your leadership skill must be instrumental in optimising efficiency and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism within your terminals”, the CAC stated.

He also highlighted the newly promoted Assistant Comptrollers’ crucial role.

“Similarly, for the ACs, you are gatekeepers responsible for the final checks and approvals that allow goods to move in and out of the port.

“Your attention to detail and understanding of regulation, among others, is paramount in preventing revenue leakages and ensuring national security”, he added.

Comptroller Olomu described the training as an interactive forum for sharing best practices, addressing challenges, and clarifying any ambiguities in Customs procedures.

He assured of the Service’s management team’s commitment to providing the necessary tools and support required for the success of personnel.