Headlines

Inter-agency rivalry nearly aborted reintroduction of CTN—Jime

Emmanuel Jime

The Eyewitness reporter

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Emmanuel Jime, has reaffirmed the age-long inter-agency rivalry among the government agencies in the maritime industry.

Jime alluded to the frosty relationship among the sister agencies in the sector while giving his goodwill message during the appreciation dinner organised by the League of Maritime Editors to honour the former Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Muazu Sambo and Barrister Ademola Adegoroye, the Minister of State for transportation.

He revealed that the intense rivalry among the agencies of government in the industry nearly aborted the reintroduction of the CTN but for the commitment and doggedness of Alhaji Sambo who ensured that the project came to fruition.

While eulogising the leadership qualities of the former Minister and his support for the Council, Jime declared that Sambo not only ensured that the Federal Executive Council(FEC) approved the reintroduction of the CTN but also ensured that the Shippers’Council was given the status of Designated Authority to implement the programme.

It could be recalled that the multimillion naira CTN was first introduced in Nigeria in 2010, during the late President Yar’Adua/Jonathan administration.

The contract was signed between the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and a Belgian firm, TPMS-Antaser-Afrique and operated for one year before the former Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, terminated it in 2011 on the grounds that the scheme was hurting businesses.

Apart from that, the scheme was enmeshed in allegations of fraud, which necessitated the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch an investigation into the reported €40 million that had accrued before the termination of the scheme, which was unaccounted for.

CTN programme is a way of verifying the contents of every cargo and then tracking that cargo between ports. It is an official loading certificate number which confirms detailed information about cargo and its movement between ports

Every cargo travelling by sea must be issued with a CTN by an approved agent prior to departure.

Our reporter confirmed that the Shippers’ Council boss was making a subtle reference to the Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA) as the agency which tried to scuttle the reintroduction of the controversial CTN.

It would be recalled that the NPA was the Designated Authority for the implementation of the CTN when it was first introduced in 2010 before the contract between the Authority and a Belgian company was terminated by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the erswhile Minister of Finance, which effectively checkmated the system due to an alleged monumental fraud.

However, the bitter rivalry between the NPA and the Shippers’ Council over the CTN has been settled by the former Minsister who ensured that the Shippers’ Council became the Designated Authority.

Meanwhile, Sambo has appealed to the Permanent Secretary, the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani to ensure that the CTN comes to fruition.

He pleaded with Ajani to ensure she makes CTN work before the next cabinet comes on board.

Reminding her that she’s now acting Minister of Transportation, the former Minister said, “I trust you to before the next cabinet is in place, make sure that the Cargo Tracking Note is working. You are the acting Minister now, you can take anything to Mr President for approval and get express approval.”

Earlier in his speech, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, Hon. Emmanuel Jime recalled that the Cargo Tracking Note which had been suspended for about eight years or more and which the Council struggled to reintroduce, was made possible by the Engr. Mu’azu Sambo as Minister of Transportation who also approved the NSC as the Designated Authority for the implementation.

Noting that he was aware of a number of agencies which kicked against the Nigerian Shippers’ Council implementing the Cargo Tracking Note, Jime said, “When Mu’azu Sambo came, the first thing he did as soon as he had interacted with me is ‘ES, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council under my watch will be given the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Note.’

“He went ahead, using everything within the political capital available to him to make sure that the Federal Executive Council approved the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Note. But not only did he ensure approval, he made certain that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council is given the right of implementing the Cargo Tracking Note.

“And for us at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, this is leadership. I would have loved to stay here and eulogize and to speak extensively on what this is going to do to our maritime space but this is not the time, it’s neither the place to do that except to say Sir, if you didn’t do anything else in the maritime space, that singular achievement that was recorded, that, Sir, will follow you as a legacy and indeed, we at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council never ever forget that there was a Minister Sambo Mu’azu.”

Speaking about the former Minister of State for Transportation, the NSC boss said, “He never for once displayed that he was the boss and in this particular case, I was working under him instead, the Minister of State has treated me as a friend, as a brother. For me, that is a clear demonstration of the kind of leadership that these two men were.

“We didn’t work in an environment that gave the impression that we are under a structured leadership that is authoritarian instead we worked with our bosses who actually took us as brothers, as comrades of his and I don’t really think that there’s any better environment that you can do your best when you have a boss that takes you as a brother of his. So, sirs, we truly appreciate you, we love you.”

Also speaking, the immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha described Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo and Prince Ademola Adegoroye as one of the Nigeria’s finest adding that he found in Sambo a dedicated and committed gentleman.

Mustapha who doubled as the Chairman of the occasion and was represented by the former Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Tolu Odebiyi said, “There are achievers but also there are some quiet achievers, he doesn’t make noise, he goes around focused, doing what he’s committed to doing and working very hard to make sure he gets the support of the federal government and of the Senate and the National Assembly to execute all of his projects and there were lots of projects accomplished under Sambo. The trains, and boats flagged off, among others are worthy of commendation. I pray and hope that your work will be recognized in the new administration and you’ll be rewarded accordingly.”

In his welcome address, the President, the League of Maritime Editors, Chief Timothy Okorocha observed that the former Ministers literally changed the narrative in Nigeria’s maritime industry through hard work and uncommon commitment to raise the bar, grow and improve the governance system, industry capacity, building and growth while noting the uncommon camaraderie that existed between Prince Ademola Adegoroye and Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo is a measure of collective gains recorded by their very eventful but short stint.

“On behalf of the League, I wish to place it on record that Sambo and Adegoroye are the epitome of grace in leadership which also inspires and promote respect, chivalry and focus at the workplace leading to efficiency and productivity. We thank you, sirs, you have set a pace and standard that will take many decades to beat and brings us to the effervescent with which the former Ministers attended to and drove transformational change in the industry moving from mere thoughts of the successive administrations to implementation and execution.

“Sambo, it is also on record is the first Minister to publicly acknowledge the efforts of his predecessor and declared that he would work to execute whatever was pending which he did by regularly identifying opportunities that can be harvested to raise capacity. One such is in the area of the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, CVFF which has stalled repeatedly for close to two decades, Sambo said he was going to confront it frontally and ensure he secured approval to disburse. He accomplished it in less than nine weeks’ record time. And bearing any unforeseen circumstances, the process is already on.

“As media practitioners, it is our duty to have our eyes fixed on the activities and development of the transport sector and its sub-sectors. We hold Alhaji Sambo and his brother Minister of State have been exceptional, we are thankful sirs and quite elated to recognize the strategic efforts they employed in moving the industry forward with emphasis on the establishment of One Stop Shop Port Community System to promote interconnectivity and efficiency.”

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.