Headlines

NIWA Issues Licenses to eight companies for Lagos – Onitsha barge operations

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA)said on Wednesday that a total of eight companies have been licensed by the authority to commence barge operations from Lagos seaports to the Onitsha dry port in Anambra state.

Managing Director of the waterways authority, Dr. George Moghalu disclosed this during the inauguration of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC)- NIWA Technical Committee in Lagos.

The MD who was represented by NIWA’s General Manager in charge of Marine, Mr. Joseph Orhorho who joined the meeting virtually, noted that the companies would commence operations in a couple of weeks adding that the collaboration between the council and the waterways authority would further enhance the maritime potential.

According to him, the collaboration between both agencies was aimed to move cargoes on the inland waterways to the hinterlands without hiccups saying that the synergy was coming at the appropriate time to boost waterways mode of transportation.

He noted that the project of barging cargoes from Lagos to Onitsha river port cannot be executed by NIWA alone but stressed the need for a robust working relationship with other sister agencies of the government.

Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’Council, Barrister Hassan Bello explained that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Technical Committee by both agencies of the federal government under the Ministry of Transportation, was set up to seamlessly boost cargo movement via the inland waterways.

Bello also stressed the need for constant dredging and charting of the river channels to enhance effective navigation of the crafts.

He called on the management of NIWA to ensure that barging activities was exclusive to indigenous players in sub-sector as part of efforts to build capacity for local operators.

Bello pointed out that the movement of barges of the inland waterways must be properly regulated by the agency even as he harped on the need to connect the brown waters with roads and railways in furtherance to facilitate movement of goods to and from the hinterlands.

Considering the important role of NIWA operations in the marine ecosystem, the Executive Secretary affirmed that “We look forward to the development of indigenous technical and managerial capacity for barge operations.

” It is pertinent that this sector is adequately standardised to ensure safe, secure, and efficient service delivery for proper integration of barge operations into our nation’s transportation system to help decongest our seaports and facilitate a multi-modal approach to cargo evacuation.

“Our target is to ensure the availability, affordability stability, predictability adequacy and accessibility of Transport services, facilitation of multi-modal approaches to the movement of cargoes and persons, development of critical transport infrastructure that supports trade as well as enforcement of good services standards and best practices across transport mode as reasonable cost in Nigeria.

“We have river ports that can readily support decongestion of the port through quicker evacuation of containers from the seaports of the hinterland by barges.

However, the highpoint of NSC/NIWA Technical Committee membership was the inauguration proper which has Ms A. I. Ezedinma Director Regulatory Services, Mrs. A. V. Okam, Director, Inland Transport Services, Barrister T.H Idris, Director Legal Services and Chief Cajetan Agu, Director Consumers Affairs Department all from the Nigerian Shippers’Council.

Others are:General Manager (Legal/cS) Barr. Danladi lbrahim, GM(Engr. Service), Engr. Christopher Asindi, GM(Marine Service)Engr. Joseph Ororo and GM(Survey) Surv. Denis Osamwuta.

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.