Headlines

COMTUA, NPA on war path over directive to put Agro-Export trucks on ETO system

Bello-Koko, NPA MD

—-warns of damaging consequences if policy implemented

The Eyewitness reporter

The Council of Maritime Transport Unions And Associations(COMTUA), an amalgamation of all truck owners in the maritime industry, has declared its total rejection of the directive of the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) to put all agro-exports trucks on the ETO system.

In its circular to the Trucks Transit Parks(TTP), the firm handling the Eto Electronic Call-Up system at the ports, the NPA has directed that from May 2nd, 2023, all the agro-exports trucks should be routed through the Export Processing Terminals (EPTs), using the to platform.

The NPA has said that the policy is meant to enhance the efficient movement of agro-export boxes to the ports by eliminating all bottlenecks earlier associated with such movement.

But COMTUA, in a letter dated Friday, April 28th, 2023 and addressed to the Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-KoKo, the association said it rejects the policy in its entirety as it portends damaging consequences to the industry.

The truckers, in the letter, signed by the President of COMTUA, Mr. Adeyinka Aroyewun, claimed that the policy, which they accused NPA of formulating to enrich few individuals in the industry, will lead to double handling, delays, loss of jobs and wages, and double charging for call-up, as opposed to the possible claim of creation of more opportunities.

”We refer to a circular trending on the ETO platform and wish to tender our council’s complete rejection of the directive, as wrong, utterly biased, and possibly to negate the progress of the industry.

”This directive said to have emanated from your office as suggested in the circular, claims it would produce efficiency and seamless movement in the agro-export movement.

”In all the explanations peddled on the platform, they failed to adequately address the negative impact the policy would have on the system.

”From our studies, experience, and investigations, the policy only compromised the realities on the ground in the system it pretends to assist.

”Among the many challenges would be the economic implications of double handling, delays, loss of jobs and wages, double charging for call up, as opposed to the possible claim of creation of more opportunities.

”It may baffle one why the short notice for such a significant transition. We wonder if proper and due consultations were carried out or is it another way to burden the trucking family the more?

”Regrettably, we are afraid, the formulators of most of these contentious policies, neither consulted nor sat with sincere and genuine stakeholders before coming up with these negative and unprogressive ideas.

”Enrichment of few to the detriment of many Nigerians and our economy is not the best for the industry in particular and the nation as a whole.

”We have advised your agency severally against the use of pseudo truckers to represent genuine truck owners at your meetings. We see it as a ploy to get endorsement through the backdoor for an inappropriate policy. This misrepresentation has affected negatively, the outcome of most of your policies concerning trucking activities.

”On these and others, COMTUA is rejecting the policy in its entirety.

”We are calling for more in-depth consultations with genuine stakeholders to determine the best approach for whatever challenges the system is envisaging or facing, else if this circular sees the light of the day, it may have some damaging consequences in the industry.

”On the part of COMTUA, our doors are always open for constructive debates on issues to move the industry forward”, the association declared in its letter to the NPA.

However, the TTP, the promoter of the ETO system, has declared that it will configure the system to accommodate the new reality.

In its memo to the maritime trucking community, it said“Considering this development, the Eto system will be configured to ensure that all agro-export bookings to EPTs can be achieved seamlessly.
“All stakeholders and the entire trucking community are hereby notified accordingly.”

Related Topics:featured War over ETO system

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NSC flaunts achievements at ministerial retreat for agencies heads in maritime industry

–– saves FG N31 billion within six months in 2024

— pushes for quick passage of Nigerian Port Regulatory Agency Bill

Funso OLOJO

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council(NSC) has showcased its achievements during this year’s ministerial retreat in Abuja.

Addressing the gathering which comprised the Minister of Marine and Blue economy Adegboyega Oyetola, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olufemi Oloruntola and heads of maritime agencies and other dignitaries, the Executive Secretary of the Country, Pius Akutah disclosed that the agency has saved the Federal government a whooping sum of N31 billion between January and June 2024 through automation of demurrage, freight rate, and charter party verification.

Akutah , who called for critical policy and funding reforms, highlighted some of the achievements of the Council which include but not limited to commissioning of the Funtua Inland Dry Port, top-ranking performance in the 2024 ICPC Ethics and Integrity Scorecard, the launch of online registration portals for port users and service providers and the development of the Trade and Transport Data Bank now nearing completion.

He emphasized the need for swift passage of the Nigerian Port Regulatory Agency Bill and consistent access to statutory funding.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who declared the retreat open, stated that the Marine and Blue Economy sector had been placed at the forefront of the Federal Government growth agenda and that agencies must respond with measurable performance and improved service delivery.

The Minister also noted several milestones achievements over the year, such as modernization of port infrastructure, steady improvement in port efficiency, progress on the National Single Window, commencement of Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund disbursement, noting that the recent approval of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, marked a new phase in the sectorial development.

He outlined key imperatives for sectoral transformation, including inter-agency synergy, digitalization, governance, and environmental responsibility.

As the retreat progresses, agency heads are signing performance bonds anchored on specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), reinforcing a shared commitment to measurable results and transparency.

Headlines

Opeifa decries incessant attacks on railway facilities by vandals

— enjoins host communities to regard infrastructures as national assets

Funso OLOJO

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa,

has decried the rate at which NRC facilities are being attacked by criminal elements.

Dr. Opeifa was reacting to two separate vandalism attacks on the Warri Itakpe line and another attack at Oghaho Section, Nkanu East LGA, Enugu State in the Eastern District.

At the Warri Itakpe line, if not for the quick response of the NRC management, the line would have suffered another suspension of operations.

Following a report from the community vigilante group of track vandalism at Agbarho Community, Ughelli North LGA of Delta State, the Railway track and safety officers were quickly dispatched to verify the report and do the needful for safe passage of the train.

Arriving at the site, the men discovered that from km 250 Agbarho – Okpara Section had been vandalized and the hold down bolts and clips made away with by the hoodlums.

The Railway crew promptly replaced all that were vandalized and the track has been confirmed safe for the passage of trains.

Because of that unfortunate incident, WITS 01 of 12th May 2025 experienced a 40 minutes delay in departure.

In another sad development, this time around, in the Eastern District of the Corporation, following a reported case of vandalization by PTO (HO) of two spans on bridge No.24 at KM284 (Oghaho section) Nkanu East LGA, Enugu State, Eastern District, a team of Railway Policemen and engineering crew were despatched from Enugu to the site on Monday, May 12th, 2025 on an assessment and security watch.

On getting to the site, the men discovered that a whole length of (Bridge 24) heavy frames were cut into pieces by the criminals, using oxygen and escetelen.

While the vandals had fled, the long spans bridge beams were met on ground and efforts are being made to recover them.

According to the reports from officers in charge of the area, the location is largely inaccessible due to long history of insecurity and banditry which had made most communities along this rail corridor to relocate.

While commending the effort of the security agencies so far in stopping this economic sabotage, Opeifa encouraged them to redouble efforts as his administration is ever ready to support them in dealing with the challenging task of securing railway facilities across the country.

He specifically thanked the Agbarho Community Vigilante Group for having an eye on the NRC track.

The NRC boss therefore called on other communities to emulate the Agbarho Community Vigilante and begin to own Railway facilities in their communities as they are national assets.

Headlines

Oyetola gives marching order to NIMASA, NPA,NSC,NIWA to translate policy on Marine and Blue Economy into actionable programmes

Funso OLOJO

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has given a marching order to the heads of agencies in the maritime industry to study, internalize and digest the tenets of the recently approved national policy on marine and blue economy with the purpose of translating the policy into actionable programmes.

Oyetola made this declaration on Tuesday, May 13th, 2025 during the sectorial retreat the ministry organized for all the heads of the agencies under the ministry of Marine and Blue economy.

The Minister, who made the agencies heads sign a performance bond to deliver on the ministry’ s mandate,

expressed his unwavering commitment to the full and accelerated implementation of the newly approved National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy which he said has become a catalyst for national economic growth.

He therefore urged the top management of the Ministry and its agencies to recommit themselves to effective leadership, inter-agency collaboration, and measurable performance outcomes.

Oyetola described the gathering as a defining moment for reflection, realignment, and purposeful engagement.

He stressed that the retreat goes beyond administrative formality, representing instead a crucial opportunity to evaluate the sector’s direction and to reposition it for impactful delivery in line with national expectations.

Oyetola emphasised that the Marine and Blue Economy has been placed at the forefront of the Federal Government’s economic growth agenda under the Renewed Hope framework, and that it is incumbent on the Ministry’s leadership to drive this vision with urgency and discipline.

He highlighted recent milestones, including ongoing efforts to modernise port infrastructure, implementation of the National Single Window platform, improvements in port efficiency, enhanced maritime security, progress in aquaculture and fisheries, and the commencement of the long-anticipated disbursement process of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF).

Most notably, he described the recent approval of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy by the Federal Executive Council as a foundational achievement that sets the strategic framework for long-term sectoral transformation.

With implementation now the focus, the Minister stressed that leadership across the Ministry and its agencies must fully internalise the policy’s strategic priorities and translate them into actionable programmes.

He called for disciplined execution anchored on improved coordination, technology adoption, transparency, environmental stewardship, and institutional accountability.

He urged all agencies to treat the Performance Bonds signed during the retreat not as symbolic gestures, but as serious commitments to deliver concrete, time-bound outcomes that enhance the sector’s contribution to GDP, expand job creation, increase port throughput, and improve regulatory compliance and revenue mobilisation.

Oyetola also highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing bid for a Category C seat on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, describing it as a strategic national objective.

He stressed that the Ministry would continue to lead on diplomatic engagement and international outreach, but that every agency must play its part in showcasing Nigeria’s readiness to continue to lead and contribute meaningfully to global maritime affairs.

In his opening remarks at the retreat, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola, echoed the Minister’s call for decisive action.

He noted that the Ministry stands at a pivotal juncture in the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, under the visionary leadership of Honourable Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, the Ministry has achieved commendable progress, with the approval of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy marking a significant milestone.

He stressed, however, that the priority now must be the translation of the policy into real, measurable outcomes.

Oloruntola described the retreat as a critical platform for identifying and resolving the barriers to effective execution, strengthening inter-agency synergy, and defining the specific steps needed to position the Marine and Blue Economy as a major driver of national development in alignment with global trends.

He noted that a key feature of the retreat would be the signing of Performance Bonds by Heads of Agencies, which would be tied to clearly defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

This, he said, is a reflection of the Ministry’s collective commitment to accountability, results, and service excellence.

He commended the Heads of Agencies for their readiness to champion this new era of accountability within their institutions and for their commitment to cascading these obligations throughout their teams.

He further emphasised the importance of strong collaboration between agency leadership and Ministry management, noting that while the Minister provides the strategic direction, it is the responsibility of senior management to ensure that direction is translated into measurable results through discipline, coordination, and dedication.

Oloruntola expressed his appreciation for the guidance and leadership of Honourable Minister Oyetola, whose clear vision and unwavering commitment, he said, have been instrumental in defining the Ministry’s path and energising its personnel.

He also acknowledged the support of the National Assembly Committees overseeing the sector, including the Senate Committee on Marine Transport chaired by Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun and the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education, and Administration, led by Hon. Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim.

He praised their oversight, partnership, and legislative backing, which have significantly reinforced the Ministry’s efforts.