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Importers, Customs agents drag terminal operators, shipping companies before presidency over refusal to comply with 35 days waiver on demurrage during COVID-19 lockdown 

Lucky Eyis Amewero
Funso OLOJO 
Nigerian importers and their agents have reported the terminal operators and shipping companies to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over their failure to refund the 35-day waiver on demurrage incurred by their service users as approved by the presidency in 2020.
 In a petition dated August 28th, 2024, and signed by Lucky Eyis Amewero, maritime consultant and President, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), the importers and their agents complained that the service providers are still recalcitrant to refund the wrongly charged bill which was collected by the service providers as demurrage four years after the presidency approval for a waiver.
According to Amewero, the relief was contained in a letter from the Presidency addressed to the National Council of Managing Directors Of Licensed Customs Agents(NCMDLCA) ECD/P/251/IV/ T/14 of  6th of April 2020,  on the waiver of both Terminal and Shipping Companies of rent and demurrage on the days (35) thirty-five days period, necessitated by the restriction of both private sector and government agencies all over the country, especially the Licensed Customs Agents, who were mostly affected.
Amewero recalled that the relief sought by the importers and their agents and granted by the presidency in April 2020 was based on the following parameters:
that the Licensed Customs Agents(LCA) who are facilitators of Clearance, could not gain access to the Port and Bonded Terminal during the restricted period
the Banks Closure, which is key to agents Transaction, was not operational.
that the Licensed Agents Could not access the Shipping Companies due to closure.
that the agent cannot access  NAFDAC, SON, and other Government Agencies to process their regulatory requirements to facilitate clearance from the Port.
that no transport or shuttle bus to move agents to their area of operation due to the restriction of movement of persons globally, in line with the principle of force-majeure.
He said several correspondences have since then been exchanged between the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) as the implementing agency of the Federal Government on COVID- 19 Pandemic and his association as the coordinating authority of the Federal government without any result, accusing the NPA of conniving with the service providers to collect the illegal fees.
“Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) in connivance with the Terminal Operators to illegally collected all the waiver wrongfully  collected by the Terminal operators and shipping Companies, it was backdated to stop the refund of the waived  (35) days wrongly  collected charges by Terminal and shipping companies
“Five years after, the waiver was wrongly and forcefully collected by the Terminals operators and shipping companies,  nothing has been refunded to the Importer as directed by the Presidency, all process was suspended due to the refusal of the terminal Operators to refund the thirty-five (35) days waiver wrongfully collected.
 “Furthermore, records of Invoices wrongly paid by Importers/Licensed Customs Agents(LCA) to the Terminal Operators, have all been forwarded to Nigerian Ports Authority since 2020, as the agency responsible for coordinating the implementation of COVID-19 relief reconciliation with the Terminal operators.
In his petition, which he copied to the National Assembly, the Secretary to the Federal government, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, Amewero however appealed to President Tinubu to compel the  Terminal Operators and shipping company to refund the money wrongly collected from the Importer/Licensed Customs Agents.
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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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