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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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Headlines

May Day: Mobereola salutes maritime workers for passion, dedication to building virile industry 

Gloria Odion,  Maritime reporter 

The Director – General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has saluted the courage , passion and dedication of maritime workers to building strong and virile industry.
In his message at the Workers’ day on May 1st, 2026, the NIMASA DG extolled the virtues of workers and acknowledged the distinguished service of various stakeholders whose efforts he noted continue to significantly contribute to the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.
Dr. Mobereola, while wishing stakeholders a Happy Workers’ Day said “to all the amazing officers and stakeholders in the maritime sector who bring their passion and expertise to work daily.

“Thank you for your dedication and invaluable contributions”.

He emphasized that as a regulator, the Agency remains committed to its oversight function of regulating maritime labour activities in the industry in line with extant instruments and the expectations of the theme of the 2026 Workers’ Day, which focuses on safety, dignity and productivity.

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Customs

Kaila, Seme Customs CAC, seeks collaboration with stakeholders to achieve seemless trade along border corridor 

Funso OLOJO, Editor
The new Area Controller of the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, has  reached out to traditional rulers and  sister agencies at the border communities to ensure the achievement of his mandate of detection, determent of smuggling, revenue generation and trade facilitation along the border corridor.
To achieve these objectives, Comptroller Kaila went on tour of the communities within the border corridor where he met and sought for the support and cooperation of major critical stakeholders, including the traditional rulers and sister agencies.
According to him, his objective was to eradicate trade hindrances affecting free movement of goods and services along the Lagos-Abidjan business corridor.
Speaking at the Palace of Oba Akran of Badagry Kingdom, the Customs Area Controller condoled with the royal family and entire people of Badagry kingdom on the passing away of HRM De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I who was a well recognized traditional ruler across the border communities.
“”The purpose of my visit is to introduce myself as the Area Controller of Seme Command and to equally seek your royal blessing and support to achieve the core mandate of the service.
“Our priority remains to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling.
“And we in the Customs believe that without due support and co-operation from traditional rulers, we can not have effective performance of our functions as Customs officers” he said
 The King Regent, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, who described Kaila as the son of the soil, added that “We have listened to your request.
” Know that Badagry is a very peaceful town, and we will keep collaborating with you in safeguarding our borders and in promoting legitimate trade, ” he stated.
Comptroller Kaila also visited the Onibereko of Ibereko Awori-Kingdom, where the monarch, Oba Israel Okoya, signifies his commitment to fostering the service relationship with residents living within the border  communities
“I welcome you to Badagry and be rest assured that I will always talk to my people whenever the need is required.
” In our town, our youth does not engage in illegalities as I have no other choice than to assist you in achieving the government mandate, ” he mentioned
While at the Palace of Alapa of Apa Kingdom, the king HRM Oba Oyekan Ajose Ilufemiloye commended and described the CAC, Comptroller Kaila as a professional, seasoned and well respected officer as described by indigenes of border communities.
“I promise you that I will always assist you in my area for anything that you need.
“Our border here has been peaceful because our youth always listen to the elders, and I know with your presence here, things will change for the better, ” he said
In his efforts to consolidate on existing synergy between sister security agencies, Kaila also visited Headquarters of 653 Nigerian Air force base, Ahanve-Badagry.
The  Commanding Officer, Group Captain Hungruy  Medugu,expressed the  readiness of the formation to always support the command in achieving its mandate.
“Our collaboration has been key to various successes we have recorded in our area of responsibility.
” Your presence here strengthens existing bonds of inter-agency collaboration between both Services, and we will not take it for granted ,” he said
The Area Controller then ended his familirisation tour with seeking for mutual cooperation with a visit to the Republic of Benin Police office, showing his readiness to eradicate hindrances affecting the free movement of goods and services across the border.
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Headlines

Opeifa decries encroachment on NRC properties across the country 

— praises collaboration with Abia, Enugu govts.
Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has reiterated his displeasure over the widespread practice of encroachment on the properties of the Nigerian Railways Corporation across the country, warning that such action would not be tolerated by his administration.
Opeifa was speaking during the separate meetings he recently had with the governments of both Abia and Enugu states.
Represented by the Railway District Manager, Eastern District, Mr. Agwonye Francis Ejike, the NRC boss quickly condemned the occupation of the Corporation’s right- of – way by squatters in Umuahia, while correcting the wrongly- held belief that the Railway is defunct.
Opeifa however applauded the cordial and collaborative relationship between the Corporation and the governments of both Abia and Enugu.
According to him, such productive harmony can only yield even greater positive results for the benefit of the people.
During the Umuahia meeting, Dr. Opeifa strongly praised the Abia State Government for its crucial assistance in clearing the NRC’s right-of-way within Umuahia.
 He reiterated unequivocally that no one is permitted to build any structure on railway property without obtaining express approval from his office.
Appealing directly to the public, he urged for greater patience, stressing that the plans for the critical track extension from Aba, through Umuahia to Enugu and beyond, remain very much on course.
Responding on behalf of the Abia State Government, Mr. Kingsley Agomoh stated that the State Government is actively engaging all stakeholders by providing alternative, seamless locations for those currently conducting business on the railway right-of-way.
 He further revealed that the state government has already finalized plans to plant trees along the route, creating a leisurely and aesthetically conducive environment for relaxation, replacing previous commercial activities.
The high-powered team then embarked on an extensive inspection of the alternative relocation site for displaced persons; the demolition site where iron barrier installation is progressing; the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal; the site for the new Umuahia Railway Station; and the route for the proposed link road passing through the existing railway station.
The meeting also explored the provision of a temporary location for the Railway Police and the PTO, pending the construction of the new Umuahia Station, which is designed to include a police station and other NRC offices.
The same impactful message was delivered to Enugu State, where the Commissioner of Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozoh (representing the State Government), equally assured the NRC MD of the Enugu State Government’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with the Corporation to achieve its aims and objectives.
Describing Dr. Opeifa as a personal friend from their private sector days, Dr. Ozoh lauded him as a leader who “knows perfectly well what he is doing.”
He further assured the NRC that the Enugu State Government will actively assist in demolishing any obstruction on the Corporation’s right-of-way, stressing that the state eagerly awaits the flag-off to recommence construction of the rail line from Aba to Enugu and beyond.
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