Headlines

Bello-Koko excites stakeholders with star performance

—-says Nigerian ports are still cheaper

—-as NPA remits over N89.9 billion in six months.

Eyewitness reporter

Mohammed Bello-Koko, the Acting Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has insisted that doing business at the Nigerian Ports is still cheaper despite the generally held belief in the industry.

Bello-Koko, who providence smiled on in May, 2021 when he was elevated to the position of the helmsman of the rich government parastatal following the indefinite suspension of Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, disproved this widely-believed myth when he presented his scorecard to the House of Representatives Committee on Ports and Harbour.

In his account of his performance within the six months of his stewardship, the Acting MD said that

NPA has raised its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) between January and September 2021 by 120 percent.

According to documents he presented to the lawmakers, Bello- Koko said the NPA has also reduced its operating expenses by 20 per cent of its budget for this year.

“As at the end of September 2021, the Authority earned N256.28bn in IGR as against the expected N214.65bn (approved estimate N271.70bn) for the same period, representing a performance of 120% or 95% of its total annual budget for 2021.

“For operating expenses, as at the end of September 2021, actual spending stood at N55.10bn as against the budgeted figure of N65.49bn, comprising employees’ benefits, pension costs, towage services, supplies, repairs & maintenance, and other administrative overheads.

“This indicates a “savings” of N10.39bn or 85% performance of the approved budget of N87.32bn.

“Furthermore, in compliance with the quarterly remittance of its operating surplus to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) and provisions of the Finance Act 2020, the Authority has remitted the sum of N62.66bn to CRF for the year 2021 as of October 31, 2021, while a cumulative sum of N89.9bn has been transferred to the CRF in the last six months.

” At the current state of increased revenue drive, it is projected that the Authority will exceed its 2021 revenue projections and the projected transfer to the CRF for the year 2021 which is expected to be over N80bn, which would be the highest in the history of the Authority.

The NPA’s helmsman informed the House Committee that contrary to news reports insinuating that Nigerian ports are the most expensive in the sub-region, a study commissioned by the Authority with the support of UKAid in 2019, indicated that it is cheaper for general and container vessels to berth in Nigeria than in Ghana or Togo.

He explained that a huge chunk of what shippers or cargo owners spend to clear their consignments include terminal and freight charges paid to terminal operators and shipping companies, payments for customs duty, inspection services, haulage, insurance and other sundry trade levies and fees, which are outside the purview of the Authority.

“Aside from the towage dues which were reviewed in 2015, Port tariffs in Nigeria have remained same since 1993”, he said.

Following his assumption of office in May this year, the Acting Managing Director has taken deliberate steps to reposition the Authority to focus on cost-optimization and quality service delivery while maximizing business value for port operators and users.

Accordingly, the Bello Koko-led Management has focused on improving the overall efficiency of the country’s port industry.

To support the economic diversification agenda of the Federal Government through the promotion of non-oil exports, the Authority has partnered with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) for the establishment of third-party dedicated export terminals or export parks to be located in Lagos and Ogun states.

The initiative is aimed at the processing, packaging, and certification of exports under a one stop platform that houses all relevant agencies responsible for quality control and regulatory validation of exports before shipment.

“The objective is to enhance and fast-track Nigerian export cargo for shipment at the export parks without any further port clearance protocol.

“A pilot project has been established at the Lilypond Container Terminal in Lagos, while 10 other exports terminals are in the process of being certified in order to begin operations by 1st quarter of 2022” Bello-Koko declared.

The Authority, according to him, is in the process of consolidating its various electronic platforms under a unified port community system.

He listed some of the technology platforms which the agency uses to boost service delivery to include, Oracle Financials and Human Resources Planning, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Revenue & Invoicing Management System (RIMS), e-Ship Entry Notice (e-SEN) and customs portal for online submission of bills.

Others are Hyperion budgeting, 3CI (Command, Control and Communication & Intelligence), Truck Call-Up Access Control, Harbours System Linked with the 3CI for harmonization of vessel operations.

“The Management agenda is to consolidate all the platforms into a single port community system to allow for ease of transaction and eliminate impediments associated with manual processes.

” It is noteworthy that, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is providing technical aid to the Authority for the development of the Port Community System” the NPA helmsman declared.

To ensure immediate commencement of port Infrastructure & Rehabilitation, he told the lawmakers that the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMOT) has constituted a Technical Committee with the purpose to identify the operational issues of the ports and assessing the state of the existing port Infrastructure starting with the ports in Lagos.

A technical consultant engaged for that study, he further disclosed, has already concluded the preliminary assessment of the ports.

“The NPA is already reviewing alternative sources of long term, low-interest capital for port infrastructure development by engaging reputable funding institutions like the African Development Bank, the Chinese Exim Bank and other Infrastructure Development Agencies.

“In addition, port terminal operators are also being encouraged to explore such windows to fund the rehabilitation of the facilities and port equipment with amortisation as an option of recouping investments.

“This is to ensure immediate commencement of rehabilitation of the ports and quay walls and also deeper drafts to accommodate large modern-day vessels,” Bello Koko said.

The first public action of the Bello Koko-led management was to rejig the implementation of the electronic call-up system for trucks (known as ETO).

It ensured all identified lapses associated with the system were addressed, particularly breaches observed while the Taskforce saddled with the responsibility of enforcing compliance was in charge.

Series of stakeholder engagements were held with the top hierarchy of the Military, the Nigerian Police, other security agencies, the Lagos State Government and other critical industry stakeholders.

The outcome of these engagements led to tremendous improvement in travel time along the Apapa port access roads in Lagos.

The Authority in conjunction with the FMOT also reached out to the Federal Ministry of Works on the timely completion of the reconstruction of Sunrise Bus Stop to the Mile 2 stretch of the Tincan Island Port corridor.

To complement the above, the NPA also launched “Operation Green” to remove and clear all illegal structures and shanties on the Apapa and Tincan Island Port access roads.

A great deal of success was recorded by this operation as exemplified by the resultant free flow of traffic to and from the ports.

The Authority is cashing on this success to embark on awareness and sensitization of port stakeholders to drum support towards the implementation of a sustainable policy on traffic decongestion along port corridors.

In this regard, the NPA has just procured twenty-four (24) motorcycles to be added to existing assets and in support of continuing collaboration and operations for better traffic management to the ports.

The agency is also making efforts to address identified areas of security vulnerabilities with the deployment of Electronic Access Control with Apapa and Onne ports as pilot projects, while procurement process has commenced for the full perimeter fencing of Tincan Island Port Area to further consolidate compliance with ISPS code.

Further compliance to ISPS code, especially as it relates to vulnerabilities of the port’s waterfront, Management has procured 13 units of Security Patrol Boats (SPB) ready to be deployed across all pilotage districts including the establishment of Marine Police units in Calabar and Delta ports where none currently exists.

“This would reduce incidents of attack on vessels around the port area and boost the confidence of the international shipping community to use Nigerian ports.

“To enhance efficient marine services, particularly monitoring and facilitation of communication with vessels, the management renovated the dilapidated Control Towers at both Apapa and Tincan ports and new communication gadgets have been installed to ensure prompt and effective communication with vessels coming into the port channels.

” This has led to significant improvement in harbour services as well as an increase in port revenue. In addition, various marine equipment like Pilot Cutters, Security Patrol Boats and Tug Boats are also being deployed.

“To improve cargo evacuation from the port and facilitate the quick return of empty containers to the port, the management has reviewed the modalities for registration and operations of barges.

” The new regulatory framework which includes a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) took effect from 1st September 2021.

“It provides for enforcement of the safety and operational standards including the requirement to install radio communication equipment on-board to facilitate the sharing of traffic information.

“Furthermore, the Authority is in the process of deploying an electronic call-up system for barges, similar to the one for trucks, to streamline their operations and movements. It has approved rates for barge operations which will ensure more revenue to the Government.

“Similarly, the Authority has supported the use of privately managed jetties as part of measures to optimize inland barge services at the port.

” This has encouraged barging as a model for the promotion of inter-modal transportation.

” The use of barges has taken some pressure off the roads. The movement of cargo by barge this year alone has recorded well over 200,000 TEUs.

“This has also generated huge employment opportunities; in stevedoring, terminal operations and other marine services.

” It also becomes another revenue stream to the Authority in particular and Government in general.

“To address the menace created by trucks carrying empty containers and to ensure that Nigeria is not made a dumping ground for empties, the Authority began to enforce the return of empties, where vessels are compelled to ship back at least 80% of the number of imports shipped in.

“To guarantee the safety of records and documentation, the NPA Management recently commissioned an ultra-modern and fully digitalized archival system of document preservation and storage”

Bello-Koko told the lawmakers that he has managed to steady the ship by running an inclusive style of administration along with regular consultation with relevant agencies of government and trade groups operating in the port.

It is no surprise that the current NPA leadership has won plaudits from industry stakeholders for focusing on costs optimization to shore up revenue accruable to the government, exploring alternative funding sources to address aging port infrastructure and repositioning Nigeria as the hub for maritime trade in Africa.

As 2021 winds down, feelers from the new administration suggest that all hands are on deck to ensure that the Authority remains a veritable and profitable national asset, even as the Bello Koko-led management shore up its responsibilities to customers under a business-friendly port system, without compromising on security.

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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.

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.

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.