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Maritime stakeholders set agenda for success of Blue Economy

Adegboyega Oyetola,Minister of Marine and Blue Economy
The Eyewitness Reporter
Key stakeholders in the maritime sector during the  Roundtable discussion hosted by the League of Maritime Editors (LOME) to commemorate the unveiling of its  Secretariat in Lagos, on Thursday, September 14, 2023,  have enunciated fresh measures to be adopted, to ensure that the Blue Economy contributes tremendously, to the development of the Nigerian society.
The stakeholders, include the Director General of the  Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh,  the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA), Muhammed Bello Koko, the Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council(NSC), Hon Emmanuel Jime and the Patron of the League of Maritime Editors, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, who is an ex- President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents(ANLCA).
During the Roundtable, titled,’’ How to Achieve the Benefits of the Blue Economy’’, the League Patron, Prince Shittu who was the Chairman, the   NIMASA  DG, represented by the Agency’s Director of External Affairs, Chief Isichei Osamgbi,  said that the blue economy is already operational, but required the proper identification of comparative advantages, for the purpose of what is potentially advantageous and sustainable.
He challenged industry players and operators, to see themselves as co-drivers in the journey towards the success of the Blue economy, saying without this,  the success story of the Blue economy cannot be complete.
 Jamoh disclosed that, whereas the blue economy in Nigeria is still unfolding, it is at the stage where a collaboration of efforts, must concentrate on optimizing the comparative advantages in order to remain competitive in the global space.
Represented by the Director External Relations, Isichie Osamgbi, the DG NIMASA said the country must tell herself the truth that the blue economy holds the front row potential in resource growth and as a leading revenue projection and hence should be accorded the right attention to drive its explorations.
“Today we are no longer talking about the benefits of the blue economy, we have passed that conception stage, current discussions should be how to tap into the various strata, the unfolding of the separate gold mines as already enshrined in the NIMASA Act.
“We need to do more collectively to improve on our individual spheres of contribution and achieve a sustainable template that will create a beneficial impact. For us, the effort to strengthen maritime security and achieve maritime safety, grow shipping development, marine tourism, and cruise transportation are key considerations we keep expanding.
“So, the time has come to maximize our abundance in the blue economy and to also be able to operationalize their economic benefits by looking at the comparative advantages each resource provides. We must be determined and focused, we are not the first to have maritime security challenges, Singapore’s niche market is the blue economy, and we must have the political and operational will to tackle insecurity as the top of the identified monster.
“We must come together and set the agenda for a functional blue economy and it is commendable that the League of Maritime Editors has been doing this, because however we look at it, today, the blue economy and the maritime domain hold the biggest prospect for achieving the required GDP.
“We must remove the sentiments of what is in it for me and embrace the patriotic ethos of what is in it for the country. When we agree on what should be done and how to go about doing it, and how to sustain the developments, and how to expand, then we would have actually become serious.
“And like all others, the protection of the marine environment from pollution is also key, and that takes us to our exclusive economic zones. What is economically critical is the exclusive zone, these are the issues that should agitate our minds.”
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko represented by the  Tin Can Island Port Manager, Jibril Buba, advocated enhanced capacities through deliberate policy and stakeholder actions necessary to drive the processes.
While applauding LOME for providing the arena to brainstorm on the dynamics of the blue economy, Bello-Koko said the Authority has for a long time already prepared the grounds for its takeoff and consistent with the full realization is always providing the enabling environment through which the required efficiencies, competences and capacities can be developed and sustained.
He said, “We know where we are coming from,  we remember the era of warfare in the port, we used to have women delivering babies in the port and all that. And NPA in its quest for excellence in 1993, said look, we cannot continue to remain like this. It was consciously or unconsciously the way of re-awakening the blue economy, it’s only that it didn’t get the name blue economy.
“As the first speaker said, attitude is important, often roles and duties are dumped on NPA which does not belong to us. The foundation must be regenerated, we now changed the name of Nigerian Post Authority to Nigerian Port Plc all in a quest to improve efficiency.
‘’Of course, you all know our mandate efficiency in cargo handling is what will make the industry move forward. “but whatever we come up with as far as we do not change our behaviour, we do not change the way we do things, our overlapping functions, then the blue economy will not find its footing.
“By 2006 we were partnering, we followed the pattern of the remaining people of the world and came up with what we now have as a landlord model. Now we now have the machinery.  There is no berth that does not have mobile harbor cranes, some of them have up to eleven, some up to twelve, some more than that. They have the mobile harbour crane, have enough gantry cranes in the terminals,
 “Now, when we had the time that vessels used to come to this country and they spend up to 40 days, that is pre-concession of the terminals. Now it is  72 hours in the case of container vessels and in the case of bulk cargo at ENL and the rest, ten days. We’ve achieved 0% waiting time.”
 you remember the Amada shipping saga, that is what gave an offshoot of Tin-Can Island port to act as a shock absorber to Apapa port’’.
Bello-Koko also identified the fishing sub-sector as an advantageous resource area that can grow the blue economy substantially.
He said, “ if the government can deliberately, or the stakeholders can deliberately form a sort of consortium and then come up with a bigger fishing industry, I think it will move the industry forward because what we have now are fragmentations.
“Apart from probably the foreign partners that are doing well, exporting lobsters, our lobsters are well loved in America and the UK. You can hardly find them here but those farmed are constantly being exported to the US and to the UK and we are making very good foreign exchange from it.
“Apart from the fisheries which can move the blue economy forward, we also have, like other countries, the net industry. The net industry in countries like India generates thousands of employment. Why do we have to import the nets and the crafts that were used in fishing?
“So if you can help us push for the development of the net industry, it will in fact assist in boosting the fishing industry. And then also we have the welders of the craft itself, that’s entirely another industry that will come up under fishing alone, so these are things that can generate serious employment opportunities, plus forex.”
The NPA boss commended LOME for the acquisition of its secretariat which has been designed to also serve as Centre for Media Advocacy, noting that the place will serve as a catalyst for positive change in the industry.
“I am particularly delighted by the fact that this Secretariat will serve as a hub for collaboration, information exchange, and the development of best practices. It will be a platform where stakeholders from various segments of the maritime industry can come together to address challenges, explore opportunities, and shape the future of our sector.”
In his contribution, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Hon Emmanuel Jime represented by the Council’s  Director Consumer Affairs  Department, Chief Cajetan Agu,  described the blue economy,  as having huge economic potential that should be harnessed by all.
 Describing Nigeria as a blessed country in terms of the abundance of Blue Economy,   the NSC CEO  said what is needed is to harness the potential of the blue economy. Jime pointed out that the opportunities embedded in the blue economy were so many that it has become the project of the entire African Union (AU).
 The NSC boss identified the potential of the blue economy as shipping, fisheries, underwater mining, cruise transportation, and tourism, among others. He said that realizing these potentials, the AU sees the blue economy as a project that no country will do alone because of the issue of security.
 Jime stated that the criminals move around in different territorial waters, and as such the blue economy needs to be implemented together.  He disclosed that the AU has developed a model of the blue economy after studying the potential, adding that for the body, it is the rebirth of the African Renaissance.
He however acknowledged that Nigeria through NIMASA has been able to reduce drastically the issue of piracy in her territorial waters and Gulf of Guinea (GoG.
Before the League’s Patron,  cut the tape to inaugurate the Secretariat,  the NIMASA DG; NPA MD, and the  Shippers’ Council ES/ CEO, had identified the various benefits that would accrue to the League from having its own Secretariat and encouraged the members of the Association to tap into those benefits.
 They all, lauded the various contributions of the League members, to the development of the maritime sector, and urged the League to ensure that it uses the Secretariat to brainstorm to set the agenda for the success of the Blue Economy, as well as the additional progress of the shipping sector.
Shittu, particularly charged the League, to consider building its own Secretariat being senior practitioners, and appealed to industry stakeholders to support the initiative whenever it comes on stream.
“I am delighted to be part of this epoch-making event, some of you l have known over the years, two, three decades, I remember those days while serving under Alhaji Sanni Kamba in the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents and l was the National Publicity Secretary, even though l was based in Port Harcourt, l was always coming around for meetings and briefings, so all along l have been part of you.”
“I foresee a future where we will be moving out of this apartment and going to our own property. Despite their moderate critical reporting as senior practitioners, l think that it is good for the industry.
“But generally, people should also be able to criticize certain reports, especially misleading reports. One of the mistakes we make is that we read stories and forget to read the commentaries or push out reactions.
“I am delighted to see the representatives of the CEOs of the agencies at the commissioning of your Secretariat, this shows mutual respect, even though they get you to attend their commissioning events all the time, it is good they identify with you during your own one-off events.
“Knowing that your profession is one of utmost service with very little monetary attachment, l am sure that if you ask them for water to support your secretariat, they will give you wine”., he had said.
Earlier, in his speech, the President of the League, Chief Timothy Okorocha had told the guests that the Monthly Roundtable Parley of the Association, which was on hold is now back, assuring that the League would again be providing the missing nexus in the industry, with regards to developmental journalism, and the essential advocacy that nations depend upon to nurture their peculiar circumstances and to build their capacities.
He expressed the League’s appreciation to all the stakeholders that have assisted the Association in one form or another, noting that, since, the Secretariat that is being inaugurated, is the beginning of a new long journey, LOME will still need their support to make the Secretariat,  a Center of Media Advocacy, as conceived by the body’s immediate past Executive.
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32 years after, NPA jerks up tariffs, fees by 15 per cent 

says increase meant to upgrade old, dilapidated Port facilities
Funso OLOJO 
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced a 15 percent increase on all its tariffs and fees across board.
The increment, the Authority says, is coming after 32 years of such increase.
The increase is expected to lead to high cost of Port services  while the Port users will pass the cost to the final consumers of their products.
The terminal operators are the major users of NPA services and expected to bear the chunk of the tariff increase.
At a meeting with stakeholders in Lagos to sensitize them on the new development, the Managing Director of the Authority, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed that the agency was compelled to take this painful but inevitable decision in order fund massive upgrade of old and dilapidated Port infrastructure.
Represented by Mr Olalekan Badmus, Executive Director Marine and Operation, of the agency, Dantsoho said the tariff review has received necessary approval from government.
The NPA management justified the tariff increase  on the urgent need to address the  undesirable reality of aged and weak Infrastructure, obsolete equipment and slow Port capacity expansion which has continued to  diminish the performance and indeed competitiveness of Nigerian Ports.
Stakeholders at the event seems to aligned with the reasons which the NPA adduced for the tariff increase.
Joshua Asanga , a stakeholder , agreed with the increase, adding that the value of NPA’s present tariff has since been suppressed by Inflation which is at about 35% .
Asanga listed port management liabilities like wages, fuel and other areas of expenditure as having adjusted upwards without a commensurate rise in NPA charges for over thirty years
He added that NPA needs funds for improved port infrastructure, robust ICT for Port Community System, procurement of tug boats and other operational platforms to achieve efficiency
Another stakeholder, Demian Ukagu, talked on the need to apply more NPA funding to outer port facilities and jetties like the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal and development of other critical port facilities across the country.
He added that NPA rates should be able to cover these cost that would guarantee minimum return on investment and promote sustainable trade.
The meeting agreed that existing tariffs were set devoid of capital cost, labour cost, consumables and overhead expenditures needed to run the ports
They feared that keeping the ports on the old tariff would promote consequences like poor service, inadequate infrastructure,poor remuneration ,obsolete critical port facilities, equipment and infrastructure.
Globally, Port Authorities depend on revenue from operations to stay alive to their responsibilities which includes construction and maintenance of Port infrastructure, dredging of channels, provision of aids for safe navigation, provision of modern marine crafts for efficient harbour services, automation and digitization of port transactions, port security, energy efficiency and training and retraining of its employees.
The global index of Port rating and competitiveness which the international trade community relies on for its choice of countries to do business with, derives its data from how well the aforementioned responsibilities are addressed.
Coming at this period of global economic upheaval and scramble for markets, this belated Tariff review borne out of necessity constitutes a critical success factor in Nigeria’s quest to win back cargo handling business and it’s accompanying benefits including job opportunities it had  lost to it’s maritime neighbors.
Contrary to the popular but erroneous notion that attributes high Port costs to NPA relative to its peers, verifiable data shows NPA Tariffs are amongst the lowest in the region.
The high incidence of unreceipted costs due to unduly high human interface, bureaucratic bottlenecks, functional overlaps resulting from absence of a Port Community System (PCS) and its corollary the National Single Window (NSW) are responsible for this contrived falsehood.
Industry commentators believed that the tariff review is long overdue and necessary at this time if the Nigerian ports want to be competitive within the West and Central African sub- region.
“Although long overdue, a quick win benefits of the NPA Tariff review for stakeholders, is the immediate  boost it gives to the Authority to fast track the commencement of actual works on its concluded Port reconstruction and modernization plans.
“Secondly, the Tariff review provides the necessary guarantees to fund the acquisition and urgent deployment of the Information Communications Technology (ICT) backbone of the PCS which is the precursor to the implementation of the NSW” an industry operator declared.
Furthermore, the increased revenue generation arising from the review buoys the Authority’s capacity for critical maintenance works to open up the Eastern Ports for increased vessel and cargo traffic such as the reconstruction of collapsed Escravos Breakwaters and challenged aspects of Rivers, Onne and Calabar Ports respectively.
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Adeniyi expresses concern over environmental impact of public burning of seized drugs 

as Customs destroys 71 containers of illicit substance 
Funso OLOJO
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has expressed grave concern over public burning of illicit substance which he said has serious environmental impact.
The CGC was saying this against the backdrop of the phased burning of 71 containers load of seized drugs by the customs in done selected locations in the country.
Adeniyi was raising this alarm during the visit of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on Tuesday, February 4th, 2025 in Abuja.
Adeniyi, who reaffirmed the Customs’ commitment towards strengthening collaboration with the UN body in tackling drug trafficking and transnational organised crime, told the delegation led by its Country Representative, Cheikh Toure, that adoption of  incineration technology to dispose these drugs was a better and safer option in order to protect the environment.
He  however emphasised Customs’ critical role in addressing drug-related crimes, describing them as a major threat to national security.
“There are no bandits or terrorists who operate without drugs. Nigeria is no longer just a transit point for illicit substances—many criminals within the country are actively using them. Drug abuse among youths has also become a serious concern, with some even portraying it as fashionable,” Adeniyi stated.
Adeniyi also underscored the importance of intelligence-sharing in tackling drug smuggling, noting that UNODC’s global network provides valuable insight into trafficking routes and smuggling methods.
The CGC  expressed interest in adopting models similar to the US-led Container Security Initiative, which enhances port screening and intelligence-sharing.
 Adeniyi revealed that Nigeria would host a Regional Donor Conference for Customs Administrations in April 2025, bringing together 23 Customs administrations and development partners to discuss ways to support Customs operations.
 “We look forward to UNODC’s active participation, as the conference will highlight its contributions to Nigeria and the region while exploring new areas of cooperation,” he said.
 Adeniyi stated that the event will take place in Abuja and focus on improving Customs operations, enhancing intelligence-sharing and strengthening partnerships to address emerging security challenges.
UNODC Country Representative Cheikh Toure commended the NCS for its efforts in combating drug trafficking and assured continued support.
“Customs officers are among the most highly trained professionals in Africa when it comes to detecting illegal activities, and they play a key role in the fight against transnational organised crime,” Toure said.
He noted that UNODC and the NCS had collaborated for over a decade in training, intelligence-sharing and environmental crime prevention.
 However, he stressed the need to move beyond training and implement intelligence-driven interventions at ports, seaports and airports.
Toure also emphasised the importance of regional collaboration, pointing out that criminal networks operate across multiple countries and can easily relocate when faced with enforcement measures.
 “A drug trafficker expelled from Ghana does not disappear into the Atlantic Ocean—they move to Côte d’Ivoire, Mali or Nigeria. This is why we must explore regional strategies to address these challenges collectively,” he observed.
He acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa, not only because of its size and influence but also due to its efforts in helping other nations strengthen their enforcement capacities, while acknowledging Nigeria’s support for The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Liberia in improving border security and combating organised crime.
Toure highlighted UNODC’s past contributions, including refurbishing and equipping Customs offices in Lagos, but stressed that material support alone was insufficient.
“We must move beyond training and focus on introducing effective detection mechanisms at ports and border points. UNODC’s Container Control Programme and similar initiatives can be adapted to Nigeria’s needs,” he stated.
He reaffirmed UNODC’s willingness to explore new areas of collaboration with the NCS, particularly in intelligence-sharing, technology-driven screening methods and sustainable drug disposal mechanisms.
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ICTN, CISS fees will make Nigeria’s ports more expensive, uncompetitive — Segun Musa

Funso OLOJO 
Dr Segun Musa, one of the vocal freight forwarders in the country and the Managing Director of Widescope Nigeria Limited, Dr. Segun Musa, has decried the reintroduction of  International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) at the Nigerian ports, lamenting it will further add to the cost of doing business at the ports.
Similarly, he believed continued payment of Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS)  will further make Nigerian ports uncompetitive within the subregion.
Dr Musa, who was giving an overview of Port operations in the country while interacting with the leadership of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria(MARAN), described these levies and charges as fraudulent in nature, meant to further impoverished Nigerians.
He was particularly upset with the continued payment of the CISS  which was a fee meant to fund the operations of the inspection agencies but is it still been collected years after the era of pre-shipment inspection regime has gone.
“Agents should have gone to court to challenge it. It is illegal. The CISS money was meant for inspection agencies to run their operations.
“EFCC should have investigated the government over the trillion of Naira of CISS.” Musa declared.
On the ICTN, the National Vice President of the Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), said the it was not different from the Customs Risk Assessment Report that profiles all cargo coming into Nigeria.
He believed that the reintroduction of ICTN would further add up to the cost of cargo clearance, narrating that with the intervention of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) acting on his petition, the ICTN was suspended at the airport.
He wondered why the ICTN, already jettisoned by the government, is being reintroduced by the government.
“ICTN is a fraud. This is a fastest way of killing the economy. We are waiting for them,” vowed Musa.
The foremost freight forwarder called the Nigeria Customs Service to implement automation of cargo clearance and delivery, stating that the Customs had promised that the B’Odogwu would address cargo clearance and facilitate trade.
“I want to believe it is achievable. What we need is the full automation; we are against use of companies but rather individuals with their identity number in cargo clearance.
“Everything from inspection to delivery should be automated. This is where the integrity of the Nigeria Customs Service will come to play,” said Musa.
Whether Customs will allow the automation to work or Customs agents will declare correctly, Musa averred that the world is changing and Nigeria cannot be left behind.
 “Nobody wants a change. The world is migrating away from analog. This is why investors do not want to come to Nigeria. To advance our economy, we must embrace change – automation.”
Still speaking on the Customs operations, Dr. Musa said there is nothing special in the revenue collection by the Customs but what we need from the Service is transparency.
“I was the lone voice calling for the privatisation of the Customs; anybody can generate revenue. The PIDA did it during the administration of General Sanni Abacha.
“Customs generating revenue is not special; a consortium can generate revenue while Customs is saddled with a border patrol.
“We did it before and we can do it again. If the Customs is not transparent enough, I will not hesitate to call on the government to privatise the customs,” Musa vowed.
He averred that incessant increase in customs duties and revenue target is an indicator that the national economy is not working and is also a lazy way by the politicians to run the economy.
Musa disagreed with the belief that foreigners have taken over freight forwarding in Nigeria, adding freight forwarding is an international job and everyone is free to practice it.
 “Foreigners have not taken over freight forwarding in Nigeria. People need to understand that we live in a global neighborhood.
“You must have strength and capacity if you want to participate in freight forwarding, an international job.
” Government should create a level playing field for all actors. We collect a lot of revenue for the government but we get nothing.
“Chinese government provide funds and enabling environment for her citizens to thrive everywhere. But it is not the case here in Nigeria,” said Musa
The freight forwarder further noted  the land border was closed because of rice, a decision which he described as irrational when the nation does not have the capacity to produce rice enough to feed her citizens.
He maintained that no nation closes her border against goods it lacks capacity to produce enough, expressing fears that the nation may become a dumping ground for other countries as Nigeria does not have capacity and infrastructure to compete competitively in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
“We don’t have production capacity to tap AfCFTA. We may likely become the dumping ground. We don’t have manufacturers again who can produce for enough for local consumption and for export under AfCFTA,” said Musa
On the National Single Window (NSW), Dr. Musa hinted that his fears about the National Single Window (NSW) had been allayed that NSW would not be handled alone by an agency, calling on the government to set up a committee of trustworthy actors to supervise the Single Window.
Assessing the performance of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under Adegboyega Oyetola as the Minister, Musa said there is nothing new in marine and blue economy.
“It has been with us for long. We cannot harness natural resources in our ocean if we don’t put the right person in the right places.
“The Minister loves talkshows and  globetrotting. How do we harness the blue economy when you don’t have ships, equipment,” said Musa, who said year 2024 was filled with a lot of challenges and opportunities.
“In 2024, we had a lot of challenges – inconsistent in government policies, fluctuations in Forex that plummeted volumes of cargo traffic and the Customs putting pressure on importers with various ideas to meet its revenue target.
” We had a lot of opportunities to change the narratives but we never had associations strong enough to protect our interests.
“Hike in the cost of transportation dues to incessant increase in diesel did not help the situation. The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) was handicapped by its teething problem as every freight forwarder bore his cross,” Musa said while highlighting 2024 but hopeful for a better 2024.
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