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NCJIFLCA seeks MARAN collaboration to battle illegal checkpoints, multiple infractions at ports, border posts

Funso OLOJO
The National Compliance Joint Taskforce of Licensed Clearing Agents (NCJIFLCA),  has sought the support and collaboration of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria, (MARAN)  to eliminate illegal checkpoints set up by Customs and other agencies on the nation’s trade routes,  primarily designed to extort Nigerians and indirectly increase the cost of living in the country.
The group, made up of clearing agents, security personnel, and other well-meaning Nigerians, also vowed to stop illegal seizures of duly cleared consignments at the ports by operatives of the Customs Federal Operations Unit(FOU), affirming that these illegalities have put Nigeria in a bad light among the comity of nations.
Speaking on Thursday, November 20th, 2025 during a courtesy visit to the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) International Conference Center, Apapa, Lagos, the President of the Association, Dr. Basil Chudi Nwolisa, noted that part of the visit was to seek a partnership with MARAN to help expose these illegalities and nip them in the bud.
According to him, the Nigerian Port Industry is currently facing numerous man-made challenges, primarily stemming from human weaknesses, adding “the most pressing issues include non-compliance with established rules and regulations, such as the ALERT system; deliberate withholding of container deposit refunds by shipping companies; frequent arrests and seizures by FOU of containers duly examined and released by authorized Customs officers and other federal government agencies; delays experienced by Customs Clearance Agents at the hands of terminal operators; and extortion of Nigerian trucks on highways.
He noted that, “These challenges have become an embarrassment to our country before the international trade community.”
Explaining that the group was formed  to help Nigeria and Nigerians overcome corruption in the maritime industry and on our highways, he noted however, that “We cannot achieve this goal alone and hereby invite the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria to collaborate with us to ensure the success of this noble project.”
He promised that with this collaboration and in “the next 12 months,” every Nigerian, including MARAN, will be proud of what the taskforce would have achieved in this direction.
Arguing that the multiplicity of checkpoints by Customs is not in the interest of Nigerians but for some people to enrich their pockets, he said, “If somebody brought goods, and they’re examined in the port, and they’re released in the port, what business do Customs have to stop it?
But he noted that when some officers see that the volume of the money that is coming out is high, they will set up various checkpoints, and if Nigerians do not stand against it, it will continue to escalate.
 “We are just trying to educate Nigerians and tell them that the road blocks and the checkpoints are bringing shame to us and it is also increasing the cost of goods in the market.”
He gave a scenario where genuine Nigerians who transport perishable commodities across cities have been frustrated and put out of business by these illegal checkpoints created by even NDLEA and the likes.
The Chairman of the three- member Caretaker Committee which was recently inaugurated to oversee the affairs of MARAN pending the conduct of  elections, Tunde Ayodele, gave the task force the assurance that MARAN will collaborate with the body to fight the illegalities on Nigeria’s trade routes.
” As a responsible media organization which believes in the sanctity of the project called Nigeria, MARAN is committed to collaborating with any nationalistic group, including your organization, to help enthrone safe,sane and friendly business environment devoid of extortions, trade barriers but one which encourages free and  unencumbered business environment” declared Ayodele.
The MARAN Caretaker Committee Chairman however assured the members of the task force to count on the support of the media association in their task to rid the country’s borders and other trade routes of any form of illegalities.
Meanwhile, the taskforce,which had all its officers in attendance during the courtesy visit, used the opportunity to invite MARAN to its third anniversary celebration, scheduled to take place at Rockview Hotel, Festac Town, on Wednesday, 10th December, 2025.
 The event will also include the birthday celebration of their National President, High Chief Dr. Basil Chudi Nwolisa, a fundraising program, and the inauguration of their various chapters.
The group was officially welcomed by a team of the newly inaugurated MARAN Caretaker Committee led by Tunde Ayodele.
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Headlines

NIWA partners ICPC to strengthen internal transparency in its operations  

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced new strategies aimed at improving its operational system and enhancing collaboration with key stakeholders as part of efforts to boost efficiency and accountability.
Speaking at a post event Press Conference at NIWA Headquarters Lokoja, the Acting Managing Director, Umar Yusuf Girei, while answering questions from journalists stated that, the organization convened a two -day Executive and Anti-Corruption training with the theme “Strengthening Integrity and Revenue System in Inland Waterways Management” organized for Board Members, Management and Area Managers and also 2026 NIWA Management Retreat in Abuja.
The Acting MD noted as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,with the support  Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Authority is focused on aligning institutional goals in ensuring better service delivery to Nigerians.
He further said, as part of its anti-corruption drive, the Management held discussions with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to explore measures for strengthening transparency within its operations.
Girei therefore, assured staff that the ongoing reforms under his watch would translate into improved service and better working conditions.
“NIWA remains committed to continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement and the reforms are expected to enhance both internal performance and public confidence”. he stated.
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Headlines

Navy appoints new Maritime Guard Commander for NIMASA 

Gloria Odion,  Maritime Reporter 

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment of Commodore Reginald Odeodi Adoki as the Commander of the Maritime Guard Command at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Commodore Adoki takes over from Commodore H.C Oriekeze who has been redeployed.

Commodore Adoki, a principal Warfare Officer specializing in communication and intelligence,  brings onboard 25 years experience in the Nigerian Navy covering training, staff and operations.

 As a seaman, he has commanded NNS Andoni, NNS Kyanwa and NNS Kada.
It was under his command that NNS Kada under took her maiden voyage, sailing from the country of build (the United Arab Emirates) into Nigeria.
He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 2000 with a BSc in Mathematics.
 He has since earned a Masters in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and an M.Sc in Terrorism, Security and Policing at University of Leicester, England.
He is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Defence and Security Studies at the National Defence Academy (NDA).
He is a highly decorated officer with several medals for distinguished service.

Welcoming the new MGC Commander to the Agency, the Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, expressed confidence in Adoki’s addition to the team, emphasising that it will further strengthen the nation’s maritime security architecture given his vast experience in the industry.

The Maritime Guard Command domiciled in NIMASA was established as part of the resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy to assist NIMASA strengthen operational efficiency in Nigeria’s territorial waters, especially through enforcement of security, safety and other maritime regulations.

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Customs

Customs collects N1.585 trillion from 51 compliant traders under AEO programme 

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 
The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), one of the trade facilitation tools introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2025, has begun to yield bountiful harvests with the revenue growth of ₦362.79 billion recorded in 2025.
According to the AEO scorecard released by the Service, the facilitation tool grossed the sum of N1.585 trillion after certification, an increase revenue from N1.222 trillion before certification.
This represents the growth of N362.79 billion(29.68 per cent) for 51 AEO – certified entities as at October, 2025.
The Programme, according to the NCS,  also contributed 21.77% to its total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid rose by 85.66% due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.
According to AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report, the Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.
“The evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
“In the area of trade facilitation, AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60% time saving.
“Company operating costs declined by 57.2 per cent while demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention.
” Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per  through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management” the Customs declared in the AEO scorecard.
However, the Service singled out with Eight companies for commendation due to their integrity and compliance under the programme.
The companies include Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd, CORMART Nigeria Ltd, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.
The Service lauded them for a cumulative voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure.
“These actions reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.
Nevertheless, the Service suspended a firm under the programme for its non- compliance and display of lack of integrity.
The suspended firm engaged in false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations.
“Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in accordance with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The NCS reiterated that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance.
“While compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established.
“The Service remains resolute in safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework” the NCS concluded in the report.
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