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Wharf Landing Fees Collecting Authority partners NAMTOP to fight against double taxation of truckers

The Eyewitness Reporter
The National Association of Maritime Transport Operators (NAMTOP) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Wharf Landing Fees Collecting Authority to ensure maritime truckers are not subjected to double taxation along the port corridor.
The collaboration between the two groups was consummated on Monday, February 5th, 2024 when the leadership of NAMTOP led by its Chairman, Adisa Moshood Olaitan, paid a courtesy visit to the office of the Authority in Lagos.
At the core of the discussions between the representatives of the two parties was the need for the Wharf Landing fee Collecting Authority not to subject truckers, who are members of NAMTOP,  to double taxation along the ports corridor.
The Chairman of the Wharf Landing Fees Collecting Authority, Prince Gboyega Salvador-Adebayo,  who led his team to the parley, assured the truckers’ association of the readiness of the Authority to partner with them and ensure that their members are not subjected to any form of double taxation.
“There shall be no room for double taxation in the state” he declared while reiterating the organisation’s commitment to partnering with NAMTOP to ensure ease of doing business as entrenched in the act that established the organisation.
Prince Salvador -Adebayo, while emphasising the importance of the maritime sector and its operators to the economic well-being of Lagos state, assured that the Lagos state government will not empower any other body or committee to collect revenue from truckers, saying the only authorised fee recognized by law was the Wharf Landing fees which was legalised through legislation.
” The state government shall arrest and prosecute any perpetrator of illegal collection of levies on Lagos roads” Salvador -Adebayo warned.
A visibly elated NAMTOP Chairman, Moshood Olaita, expressed the appreciation of the truckers’  union to their host and assured him of the association’s readiness to partner with Wharf Landing Fee Collecting Authority.
He also reiterated the commitment of his members to creating and supporting a peaceful working environment at the ports through compliance with the laws of the land.
The visitation was a huge success as both parties agreed to work together to ensure that the maritime sector in the state thrives.
The two parties, through their discussions, showed a strong commitment to ensuring that the sector is protected and that operators in the industry are not subjected to unnecessary taxation.
The mutual agreement of the two parties to work together has been described as a sure-footed step towards ensuring ease of doing business in the state.
The collaboration of the two parties may have also sent a warning signal to other illegal groups who are engaged in clandestine activities to subject truckers to extortion through the imposition of other illegal fees.
It could be recalled that the National Chairman of NAMTOP, Adisa Moshood Olaitan, has recently raised the alarm over an attempt by the Lagos State Cargo and Transport Committee to embark on what he described as an illegal collection of dues through the imposition of tickets on maritime truckers.
Even though Olaitan has vowed that his members would resist the illegal collection, the collaboration between NAMTOP and the Wharf Landing Fees Collecting Authority and their shared commitment not to allow the imposition of illegal fees on truckers may be the necessary antidote to any crisis that may result from such illegalities.
In attendance at the parley include Prince ‘Gboyega Salvador-Adebayo, the Chairman of the Wharf Landing Fees Collecting Authority,  Mr. Abel Ogunjemilusi, the head of operations of the Authority, Adisa Moshood Olaitan, Chairman of NAMTOP, Mrs. Lara Usman, the  PRO of NAMTOP, Prince Adeyinka Aroyewun, Mr. Hakeem Yusuf, Mr. Muyideen Olapade and Mr. Salami Ismaila.
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Sallah celebration: Osun govt offers free train ride to indigenes as NRC increases Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips for Sallah

Gloria Odion, maritime reporter 
The Osun State government has made full payment to the Nigerian Railway Corporation( NRC) for the use of its narrow gauge rail services to transport the indigenes of the state free of charge for the Sallah celebration.
The annual gesture was confirmed by the management of the Corporation while announcing a temporary increase  in train services on the Lagos–Ibadan Train Service (LITS) corridor for Tuesday, May 26, 2026, ahead of the Sallah celebration.
The NRC revealed that the Osun government free train ride will be on its narrow gauge corridor.
The special train will depart from Iddo Station, Lagos, on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, while the return trip from Osogbo to Lagos will take place on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
The service, which is usually operated during festive periods, is being sponsored by the Osun State Government through a paid arrangement with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to convey Osun indigenes free of charge for the Sallah celebration.
Meanwhile, the Corporation has announced an adjustment to its schedule on its Lagos–Ibadan Train Service (LITS) corridor for Tuesday, May 26, 2026, ahead of the Sallah
The temporary adjustment is aimed at accommodating the expected increase in passenger movement as many Nigerians travel to celebrate the festive season with their families and loved ones.
Under the special arrangement, the Corporation will operate six train trips on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, instead of the usual four trips currently operated on the corridor.
For the day, train departures from the Lagos end will be at 7:45am, 1:40pm and 4:00pm, while departures from the Ibadan end will be at 8:00am, 10:50am and 4:30pm.
The Management clarified that this arrangement is strictly temporary and applies only to the Sallah travel period.
 Immediately after the celebration, the normal Tuesday timetable of four trips will resume.
Similarly, the recently introduced Thursday six-trip operations will be temporarily adjusted next week, as only four trips will operate on Thursday May,  28th during the period under review.
The regular six-trip Thursday schedule will however resume the following week.
The NRC reassured passengers of its commitment to providing safe, efficient and reliable rail transportation services across the country and wishes all Nigerians a peaceful and memorable Sallah celebration.
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NRC expresses fresh concerns over consistent railway vandalism in the North 

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has raised serious concern over renewed and coordinated attacks on railway infrastructure in parts of the country.
This followed fresh incidents of vandalism recorded in Plateau and Bauchi States.
The Corporation described the disturbing development as a direct attack on critical national infrastructure and an affront on public safety, economic growth and national security.
In one of the latest incidents recorded on May 21, 2026, a truck reportedly loaded with vandalized railway materials became stuck between Kuru and Science School, Kuru in Plateau State, exposing the dangerous activities of criminal elements involved in the destruction and illegal movement of railway materials.
Similarly, along Zango, in Bauchi State, between Kilometer 878 and 889, railway slippers were completely removed on both sides of a level crossing, leaving behind few disjointed rail pieces.
The Corporation warned that such acts could result in catastrophic train accidents, disruption of rail services, loss of lives and destruction of government investments worth billions of naira.
The NRC emphasized that railway tracks, slippers, clips, fastenings and signaling materials are critical national assets built with taxpayers’ money to facilitate transportation, trade, economic activities and national development, and should never be treated as scraps for illegal business.
The Managing Director/CEO of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, strongly condemned the persistent attacks on railway facilities, describing the trend as sabotage against national progress and a serious threat to the safety of passengers and railway personnel.
According to him, the increasing incidents of vandalism in the North Central and North East corridors indicate a dangerous pattern that requires urgent collective action from security agencies, state governments, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents living along railway lines.
Dr. Opeifa appealed to Nigerians to see railway infrastructure as a national symbol and strategic economic asset that must be protected at all times.
He warned vandals, scrap dealers and individuals involved in the illegal purchase, movement or destruction of railway materials to desist immediately, stressing that anyone caught would face the full weight of the law.
The Corporation also called on security agencies to intensify surveillance and enforcement operations around railway corridors nationwide, while urging members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities around railway facilities.
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NIMASA opens investigation into vessels collision accident at Bonny anchorage as five crew members sustain injuries 

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Administration(NIMASA) has opened a full scale investigation into the accident which occurred as a result of a collision between a container vessel, MV MAERSK VALPARAISO, and an oil tanker, MT LADY MARTINA, at the Bonny Inner Anchorage.

The accident which occurred on May 20th, 2026, has triggered a flurry of activities,  has resulted in an oil spill in the affected area.

The Deep Blue Operating Base (FOB) in Bonny received a distress call at approximately 1130 hours regarding the collision involving MV Valparaiso, a Singapore-flagged container vessel with IMO No. 9433054, and MT Lady Martina, a Nigerian-flagged oil products tanker with IMO No. 5104033.
In response, the Base immediately deployed 10 armed personnel onboard DB 214, one of the interceptor boats under the Deep Blue Project, to the scene of the incident.
Five crew members onboard MT Lady Martina sustained varying degrees of injuries and were promptly evacuated to the FOB Bonny sickbay for medical attention.

Following the collision, MT Lady Martina drifted ashore and is currently aground along the Bonny Channel, while MV Valparaiso remains grounded at the Bonny Inner Anchorage pending damage assessment and further investigation.

The management of MAERSK has officially reported the incident to the Agency.

Consequently, the Director General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, has ordered a full investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the collision.

In addition, NIMASA has established a Situation Monitoring Room to coordinate response efforts and monitor developments arising from the incident.

Dr. Mobereola, who was personally on ground in Rivers State to inaugurate the situation room,  also directed the Agency’s Marine Environment Management Department to immediately commence an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the affected area, while taking necessary steps to mitigate the impact of the Tier 1 oil sheen and protect the marine environment.

NIMASA promised to  update the public with the outcome of the investigation into the incident.

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