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Reps,NSC seek truce between warring freight forwarders, shipping companies over tariff hike, as negotiation collapses

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 
The lingering stand-off between the aggrieved freight forwarders and the shipping companies over the hike in service charges at the Nigerian ports is far from over as the peace talk brokered by the House Committee on Shipping Services was deadlocked.
It could be recalled that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has recently approved 30 percent increase in service charges by terminal operators and shipping companies to reflect the economic realities of the country.
However, the importers, through their agents, kicked against the increment, describing it as insensitive in the face of the crushing economic situation in the country.
After a sustained protest by the irate freight forwarders which resulted to the picketing of some shipping companies, the NSC suspended the implementation, urging the service providers to open negotiations and consultation with the aggrieved users of their services.
However, this apparently did not assuage the frayed nerves of the  freight forwarders who insisted that the level of increment be scaled down or a complete reversal of the hike,  a possibility both the Shippers’ Council and the Shipping companies rejected.
As the tension continued to escalate, the House Committee on Shipping Services waded into the matter and called for a stakeholders meeting in Lagos on Monday, April 20th, 2026 in a bid to dis-escale the tension.
At the meeting attended by all the relevant stakeholders including the NSC, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the shipping companies, parties to the tariff dispute seamed to maintain hardline stance on their positions.
Pius Akutah, the Executive Secretary of NSC, recounted why the Council granted the approval for increase in tariff due to the economic realities in the country and the fact that there has not been any hike in tariff in the past two years.
He however said in order not to trigger spiralling inflation , the Council granted tariff increase to the maximum of 30 percent.
Akutah disclosed that the council was forced to suspend the implementation of the increase due to the resistance of the freight forwarders.
However, the shipping companies stated that the 30 percent increase was not inadequate as it falls below the inflation mark in the country.
The service providers therefore sought for higher percentage in increment in order to reflect the economic realities in the country.
The Chairman of the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN), Boma Alabi, expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the talks, noting that no significant progress had been made.
She called for the establishment of a transparent and consistent tariff review mechanism, similar to frameworks used in regulated sectors such as telecommunications and energy.
The freight forwarders however rejected the call for higher percentage in tariff hike above 30 percent which they described as inordinate and insensitive.
A member of the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics (APFFLON) said stakeholders were unanimous in opposing the 30 per cent increment, warning that any further increase would worsen inflationary pressure and raise the cost of doing business at the ports.
“It is not acceptable to us or our importers. We have rejected the call as an act of insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians, importers and clearing agents,” the freight forwarder declared.
Apparently sensing that none of the parties wanted to shift ground on their positions, the  Chairman, House Committee on Shipping Services, Abdusamad Dasuki, directed that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council should convene another meeting in a week’s time with the  two warring parties where all the grey areas should be resolved and their resolutions brought to an enlarged stakeholders meeting where a new date for the implementation of the new tariff would be finalized.
“We expect that at the next meeting, there will be a clear framework, including timelines and participation of regulatory representatives, to guide the process towards implementation,” Dasuki stated.
He added that a new implementation date for any agreed tariff adjustment would be announced after consultations are concluded.
Meanwhile, the NSC boss has advocated for an automatic tariff adjustment mechanism that would put an end to the manual practice that usually sparks off a crisis.
In his address during the meeting, Akutah disclosed that the Council is currently working on this automated system which would be transmitted to all the stakeholders.
“The second point would be the aspect of the automatic system for tariff adjustment, which the Nigerian Shippers’ Council is promoting.
“So rather than always have a manual process for tariff adjustment, let us have an automatic system.
“And in our country, most times when prices of things go up, they have to come down.
“But it is in our interest to have an automatic system whereby, when the indices arising from volatility
in exchange rates, general operational costs, like inflation, and all of those ones, would occur, at the higher margins, the adjustment can go up.
“And when they come down, or some of the necessary factors have changed for better, then the tariff should automatically adjust itself downwards.
 That is a process that is ongoing. And very soon, we will be sharing the technology component with the relevant stakeholders to look at it and to see what conclusions can be made to that platform” Akutah disclosed.
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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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