Headlines

NSW committee seeks NSC intervention over duty waivers for importers

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The National Single Window(NSW) committee has sought the help of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council(NSC) to prevail on terminals operators and shipping companies over the need to grant waivers on goods caught in the migration to the Single Window platform.

At the stakeholders engagement held on Friday, April 10th, 2026, at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council headquarters, Apapa, Lagos, the NSW committee members said there was need to address demurrage and detention charges that have accumulated on cargoes caught in the transition from legacy systems operated by SON and NAFDAC to the new single window platform.

Speaking at the engagement, the Chairman of Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr. Zach Adedeji, explained the purpose of the dialogue.

“The essence of today’s meeting is to appeal to all that are concerned, especially terminal operators and shipping companies.

” There are some Single Window-induced demurrages as a result of migration from SON, NAFDAC, and that has led to cargoes being delayed and causing a glitch.

“I was told that you have rendered this type of help in the past, so while we are passing through this initial stage of stabilising the system, we want to know what kind of help we can receive from you, most especially for the importers, and this is our asking.

” This is why we appealed to our Executive Secretary to look at it, without compromising any private enterprise laws, what can we do to provide succour for the port users.”

He added: “Everywhere in the world when something that is not part of business happens, there has to be an agreement with the government.

” For example, with what is happening in Iran today, can any shipping company say they want to continue charging on container?”

Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting, Adedeji said the outcome was encouraging, noting that terminal operators had pledged to review cases on an individual basis.

He said they confirmed having internal processes for granting discounts and waivers for delays genuinely traceable to the single window migration.

The NRS chairman was emphatic that the government’s drive was not revenue-focused.

“Like I told you, anytime people see me, they relate it to tax. If you see Mr. President, honestly our focus has never been on revenue. Our focus is on shared prosperity of Nigeria. If people prosper, we all prosper.”

He also warned that those benefiting from the old opaque system would not be spared.

“We know there are saboteurs, it is expected in this kind of environment, some people are benefiting from the opaque system that we had in place.

“And as a government, we will not fold our arms and allow them to continue. So that’s why I have to issue that this is time we need to know who are really with us.

” What that means is that those that are really with the government initiatives and know those that try to sabotage us.”

On timelines for resolving the technical hitches, Adedeji said resolution was imminent.

“When you have this kind of system, it’s a matter of days. And if you listen to the real issue, it’s just integration.

“You remember that when you opened, let’s say, master manifest, you are importing bit by bit on that one. You have some in the old system.

“And now we have some in the new system. So for the time of migration, that’s what we are talking about. So the system is perfect and working well.

“But when you cut over, you will see one that are the missing. And those are the one that is giving us the small delay that we are talking about. So we are talking about days, not months.”

Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Pius Akutah, said the engagement was convened at the instance of the NSW Committee following the platform’s go-live on March 27.

“Things are now taking shape gradually and it is for the benefit of all Nigerians. Today’s meeting is to look at implementation and some of the challenges that has arisen that we need to tackle together as a family,” he said.

Akutah also disclosed that the Nigerian Shippers Council Act is obsolete and that moves are underway to replace it with a new legal framework.

“It’s one of the old laws, which we have already gone to the National Assembly to repeal and reenact a new law for Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency. And the law is just about to be passed finally by the Senate.

“We are hoping that when that law comes, it will give us the impetus to provide the kind of service that the stakeholders need from us.

“You know, at the moment, we are just operating under the presidential order and the regulations to that effect of 2015.”

Chairperson of the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN), Boma Alabi ,said shipping companies were not new to rendering support in such situations, recalling a similar occurrence during the B’Odogwu platform rollout by the Nigeria Customs Service.

“It happened with B’Odogwu, importers spent two months before discharging their cargoes because the government has created some solution with right intent.

” We want efficiency, we want to reduce costs, we want fast turnaround time for vessels.

“There is no benefit for us in delaying release of cargoes, we don’t want to keep the containers because we are also being charged daily for it.”

She added: “Our objectives are the same and we are partners in progress, we want efficiency, we want speed and we want a reduction in bottlenecks.

“We have heard you sir, we would take it back to the decision makers, we need to know when you are going to resolve these issues, how long is it going to take.”

Managing Director of Lagos and Niger Shipping Agency (LANSA), Todd Reaves, who said he has been in Nigeria for over 60 years, described the NSW as one of the most significant positive changes he had witnessed from government in all his years in the industry.

General Manager of PTML Terminal, Tunde Keshinro, commended the federal government on the NSW implementation but urged caution against blanket waivers.

“We must be careful not to reward non-compliant importers. There is an already existing platform and pattern of granting waivers to deserving importers, it is not going to be a blanket approval.

“Some importers deliberately abandon their cargoes inside the terminals, and after it entered overtime, they would go and buy it back as overtime cargo,” he said.

NSW Committee Chairman , Tola Fakolade sought to reassure stakeholders that the situation at the ports was not dire.

He said the agency was being proactive in its engagements to ensure all service providers were aligned and working to cushion the impact on importers.

Headlines

NRC suspends Warri- Itakpe train service over operational concerns

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the temporary suspension of Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) due to what the management described as operational exigency and technical advice from the Corporation’s Engineers.

The temporary suspension, according to a public statement by the NRC, has become necessary to enable the Corporation carry out critical operational assessments aimed at ensuring continued safety, reliability, and improved service delivery on the corridor.

“The NRC regrets the inconvenience this development may cause passengers and other stakeholders, and assures the public that efforts are currently ongoing to resolve the issues within the shortest possible time.

“Passengers and intending travelers will be duly informed before the end of the week on the date for the resumption of normal train operations.

“The Corporation remains committed to safe, efficient, and customer-friendly rail services across the country and appreciates the understanding, patience, and continued support of the public during this period” the NRC declared.

Headlines

Sallah: FG slashes train fares by 50 percent on all routes

Gloria Odion, reporter

The Federal government through the Federal Ministry of Transportation has announced a 50 percent fare reduction on all train services operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) as part of measures to ease transportation costs for Nigerians during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

The discount takes effect from Tuesday, May 26, 2026 and will run through Monday, June 1, 2026.

Accordingly, ticket fares on all NRC passenger train services across the country have been reduced by 50 percent of the existing approved rates within the stated period.

Passengers who had earlier purchased tickets at the full fare before the announcement will be entitled to a 50 percent rebate, reusable for train rides on or before Monday, June 1st, 2026.

Train schedules and timetables remain as previously advertised.

The Federal Ministry of Transportation said it appreciated the continued support of Nigerians and wishes all passengers and the Muslim faithful a peaceful and joyous Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

Headlines

Salah: NIWA MD threatens to wield big stick on violators of safety guidelines on waterways

— calls for calm over Supreme Court judgement

Funso OLOJO,Editor

The Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Umar Yusuf Girei, has issued a stern warning to boat operators across the country to strictly adhere to waterways safety regulations during the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

Girei gave the warning during an exclusive interview with journalists at the NIWA headquarters in Lokoja, noting that festive periods often witness increased movement on the inland waterways, particularly within riverine communities.

According to him, compliance with safety measures during the Sallah season remains non-negotiable.

He stressed that overloading of boats would not be tolerated, while the use of life jackets by all passengers and operators remains compulsory.

Girei also warned against night travel, alcohol consumption by operators, and disregard for weather advisories.

“No overload, wearing of life jackets is mandatory, no night travel, no alcohol, and operators must ensure proper weather checks before embarking on any journey,” he stated.

The NIWA Acting MD further disclosed that enforcement teams, in collaboration with relevant security agencies, would be deployed across jetties nationwide to ensure strict compliance with safety regulations.

He warned that violators risk arrest, seizure of vessels, and prosecution.

Girei also urged passengers to avoid boarding overloaded boats, vessels without adequate life jackets, or boats attempting to operate at night.

While extending Eid-el-Kabir greetings to Muslim faithfuls, he appealed to community and religious leaders to help amplify waterways safety awareness during sermons and public gatherings.

Meanwhile, the NIWA boss advised stakeholders and clients of the Authority not to panic over the recent Supreme Court judgment concerning aspects of the NIWA Act.

He explained that the apex court upheld the Authority’s statutory responsibilities relating to inland waterways navigation, safety regulation, channel management, river infrastructure development, and the promotion of inland waterways transportation as contained in Sections 10 and 11 of the NIWA Act.

According to him, Sections 12 and 13 of the Act, which deal with land matters unrelated to maritime activities, were voided by the Supreme Court only to the extent of their inconsistency with the Constitution.

Girei therefore urged all stakeholders to remain calm, law-abiding, and await an official statement from NIWA after the Authority obtains the Certified True Copy of the judgment from the Supreme Court.