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At Port News Summit, stakeholders decry dominance of foreigners in shipping, logistics business 

–blame government policies for not protecting interests of indigenous operators 

Funso OLOJO 
Stakeholders in the maritime industry have condemned in strong terms the marginalization of indigenous operators in the shipping and logistics business.
They lamented the continued dominance of foreigners which they claimed was aided by government policies that give them unrestricted access into the industry to the detriment of the locals.
Setting the tone for discussion at the summit, held in Lagos on November 4th, 2024 , the convener of the seminar, Prince Wale Oni, the Publisher of Port News, lamented that indigenous operators in the maritime industry have been consigned to the background at the post -concession period where indigenous operators have become onlookers in their own economy.
With a voice visibly subsumed by emotion, Oni claimed Port concession programme has been more of a curse to indigenous operators than a blessing because the foreigners have come to take away their jobs.
“Has the port concession not impoverished Nigerian freight forwarders and terminal operators?
” Why have the terminal operators and foreigners seemingly ganged up against Nigerian bonded terminal operators by denying them container transfers?
“Nigerian operators have lost the plot,  they are mere onlookers” the Port News publisher lamented.
Dr Muda Yusuf, the Managing Director, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, who presented the lead paper, corroborated the position of Prince Wale Oni and bemoaned that Nigerians are losing all in the port concession arrangement.
He believed there is a need to step up advocacy to reverse the trend.
Dr Yusuf blamed government policies which he said give unresisted access to foreigners into the maritime industry where he said they have taken over the entire value chain from shipping, terminal operations and freight and logistics business.
The former Director -General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries believed that government should be intentional about reversing the trend by coming up with policies that will protect and promote indigenous participation in the industry.
He advocated for what he described as economic nationalism where government will give more opportunities and patronage to empower indigenous operators.
” In the United States of America(USA), what makes Donald Trump get electoria victory for the second time was his promise to put America and Americans first.
” In most developed countries of the world, government practise what I called economic nationalism where they put their people first above foreigners”
Dr Yusuf however lamented that the reverse was the case in Nigeria where foreigners call the shots.
He dismissed the long- worn out narrative that what gave rise to foreign dominance in the sector was due to lack of capacity of indigenous operators.
According to him, it is the opportunities and patronage by government that will empower local people and give them capacity.
” If government did not patronise and support Dangote, would be have capacity for what he is doing now” he inquired.
Yusuf further stated that where the indigenous operators have capacity, such areas should be preserved for them while foreigners could be encouraged to go into where the locals lack capacity.
He said in as much as Nigeria seeks for foreign investors, government should not do that at the expense of the indigenous people.
The economist therefore urged the government to restructure its policies which he said have failed the indigenous people and propagate those ones that will protect their interests.
He called for the review of Nigerian Investments  Promotion Commission Act (NIPC) which he said gives unrestricted access to foreigners.
He also wanted replication of local contents laws in the oil and gas sector in the maritime industry.
According to him, the laws have had a positive impart on indigenous participation in the oil and gas sector.
Members of the panel of discussion, moderated by Mr Funso OLOJO, the Publisher of theeyewitness news, also lent their voices against the marginalization of indigenous operators in the maritime industry.
The panel of discussants  included Dr Boniface Aniebonam, the Founder of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders(NAGAFF) and Nigeria National People’s Party(NNPP), Captain Kunle Olayiwola, a former Director in Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA) and Alhaji Haruna Omolajomo, a bonded terminal operator.
The panelists observed that there was no unity among the indigenous operators who undermine their individual efforts to get advantage over one another.
They believed that this lack of unity did not allow them to forge a common front to fight for their economic emancipation and freedom from foreigners.
The panelists also believed that the foreign operators are in the country to do business and will not cede an inch of their dominance to the indigenous operators if the locals do not unite and present a common front to gain back their lost business opportunities.
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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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