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Customs, angry freight forwarders report AP Moller to World Bank for hindering quick cargo clearance at Apapa Port. 

— they deliberately delay positioning of containers to collect demurrages— agent

— There’s need to talk sense into them – Customs. 

Funso Olojo
The Apapa command of the Nigeria Customs Service has complained about the negative attitude of the AP Moller, operator of the Apapa container terminal, toward the trade facilitation efforts of the command.
Speaking while hosting the Committee on National Trade Facilitation and the World Bank at the command on Monday, June 10th, 2024, the command said AP Moller induces delays in cargo examinations to accumulate demurrage on containers for selfish economic reasons.
Explaining the delay in cargo examinations and the short time allocated to container examinations at the command, Deputy Comptroller in charge of Revenue, Wale Adenuga accused AP Moller of deliberately delaying container positioning in order to realize huge amount arising from demurrage payable by freight forwarders.
“APMT is working for its selfish interest.
“Because of their selfish interest to generate money from demurrages, they deliberately delay positioning of containers.
” A demurrage on a container attracts N65,000 a day and the more days a container spends at their terminal, the more money the agent pays.
” So when an examination is not conducted on time, people are frustrated and it leads to delay.
“We have tried from our end to make them see reasons but it has always been like that.
“We need to talk sense to APMT.
”  Things need to change. They are capitalizing on demurrage to make more money and that has led to serious agitation on the side of the stakeholders.” Adenuga lamented.
 
His position was corroborated by the Customs brokers at the command.
Oluwaseyi Adebiyi, the Secretary of the Apapa chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) described AP Moller as the problem of customs agents at Apapa Port.
” AP Moller is our problem at the Apapa port.
“We have no problem with customs which doesn’t delay to treat your entries.
“But AP Moller has constituted a nuisance to us.
“Can you imagine a foreign terminal operator determining when to position containers for examinations even when Customs and other government agencies are ready?
“Even when we too as agents are ready, AP Moller will decide when to position your containers for examinations” Adebiyi claimed.
He revealed that many a time, customs brokers had wanted to protest this anti-trade attitude of AP Moller but each time, they were prevailed upon by the Customs which advised them not to impede trade.
” Agents are tired of AP Moller’s excesses and exploitation of agents to make more money,” the Apapa ANLCA scribe said.
The Trade Facilitation Committee has queried the 12- 4 pm schedule for examinations of containers, saying four hours are inadequate to make significant progress in container examinations.
 
The customs and the agents told the committee that they were ready even for examinations at 8 am but it was the decision of the terminal operator to commence examinations at 12 and stop by 4 pm.
DC Adenuga also noted that AP Moller lacks the capacity to position containers for scanning, a situation which undermines the capacity of the scanner.
According to him, the scanner has an installed capacity to scan 400 containers a day but due to the logistics inefficiency of the terminal operator, the command scans only 120 containers a day, thus underutilizing the machine.
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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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