Headlines

Truck owners, drivers urge NPA to sack TTP, say ETO has failed

Traffic gridlock at port

The Eyewitness Reporter

The coalition of truck owners and their drivers has called on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to sack Trucks and Transit Parks Limited(TTP), the operators of NPA’s electronic call-up system (ETO).

The coalition, under the aegis of the Council for Maritime Truck Unions and Associations(COMTUA), believed that the ETO had been bastardised and riddled with unprecedented corruption which has made the system collapse.

Ventilating the position of truck owners on the issue, the National President of COMTUA, Mr. Adeyinka Aroyewun, said the only solution is to sack the TTP, the operators of ETO, due to its gross incompetence and insatiable appetite to make money at the expense of truck owners and drivers.

In a letter to the management of the NPA, Aroyewun observed that the gradual return of traffic gridlock on the port access roads was a clear manifestation of the failure of ETO and the need to rejig the system.

He faulted the decision of the NPA to sanction the trucks that accessed the port without the necessary documents on December 23rd, 2023, saying such action is not a solution to the traffic gridlock that is now building up along the port corridor.

In the letter dated December 29th, 2023,and addressed to the NPA MD, Mohammed Bello-Koko, the association said it was opposed to the penalty.

“We are writing to you today to express our strong opposition to the Nigerian Ports Authority’s intention through TTP/ETO to penalize trucks that access the port without the necessary call-up documents on the 22nd of December, 2023.

“We understand that the need to suspend the barrier occurred as a result of uncontrollable gridlock at the port corridor.

“However, we strongly believe that penalizing trucks that access the port without the necessary documents is not the solution to the problem.

“We are aware that the Electronic Call Up System has been a complete failure, and the recent traffic gridlock at the port corridor is further evidence of this failure.

” It is not the fault of drivers and truck owners that the call-up system is not working.

“Therefore, it is unjustifiable to penalize our members for the inadequacies of the call-up system.

“We are disappointed that the Nigerian Ports Authority and its handlers are more concerned about illicit revenue generation than solving the problem of the traffic gridlock.

” Penalizing truck drivers and owners who are already struggling to make ends meet will only exacerbate our problems.

“The intention is nothing but to forcefully collect money for services you have not rendered.

“We never thought of this level of desperation to extort truckers from any government agency.

“A responsible management of an organisation would have tendered an apology to drivers and truck owners in this instance.

“We call on you to suspend the intention to impose penalties or collect payments from truckers on this ground and work towards finding a lasting solution to the traffic gridlock at the port corridor.

“We urge you to prioritize the free entry and exit in and around the Port and the welfare of truck drivers and owners, who are essential to the smooth running of the port and the economy at large.

” We strongly believe that penalizing them is not the solution to the problem, and we call on you to do the right thing” the COMTUA president declared.

Aroyewun however advocated that in the place of the highly compromised TTP, the NPA should create a tripartite collaboration with terminal operators, Truckers and Customs brokers for a legitimate traffic management system.

He also sought transparent policy formulation and implementation with sincerity of purpose backed by strong political will to address issues.

The COMTUA National President however lamented that the NPA’s strong appetite for extortions through its ally, TTP, has been the bane of ETO as the agency has repeatedly ignored the words of wise counsels from concerned stakeholders.

It could be recalled that there has been an outcry against the activities of touts and compromised operators of ETO which have led to the high level of corruption and extortions in the system.

Among several ills of the ETO system are the activities of a syndicate whose members had cashed in on the loose control of the system to impose illegal fees of N150,000 on each ETO ticket.

Also, another syndicate, whose rank was recently bursted by the NPA, engaged in large-scale counterfeiting of ETO tickets which they sell to unsuspecting truck drivers.

This large-scale fraud and corruption in the system made the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to order for a complete overhaul of the NPA’s electronic call-up system with a view to cleansing the rot in the system.

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.