Headlines

Importers, Customs agents drag terminal operators, shipping companies before presidency over refusal to comply with 35 days waiver on demurrage during COVID-19 lockdown

Lucky Eyis Amewero

Funso OLOJO

Nigerian importers and their agents have reported the terminal operators and shipping companies to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over their failure to refund the 35-day waiver on demurrage incurred by their service users as approved by the presidency in 2020.

In a petition dated August 28th, 2024, and signed by Lucky Eyis Amewero, maritime consultant and President, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), the importers and their agents complained that the service providers are still recalcitrant to refund the wrongly charged bill which was collected by the service providers as demurrage four years after the presidency approval for a waiver.

According to Amewero, the relief was contained in a letter from the Presidency addressed to the National Council of Managing Directors Of Licensed Customs Agents(NCMDLCA) ECD/P/251/IV/ T/14 of 6th of April 2020, on the waiver of both Terminal and Shipping Companies of rent and demurrage on the days (35) thirty-five days period, necessitated by the restriction of both private sector and government agencies all over the country, especially the Licensed Customs Agents, who were mostly affected.

Amewero recalled that the relief sought by the importers and their agents and granted by the presidency in April 2020 was based on the following parameters:

that the Licensed Customs Agents(LCA) who are facilitators of Clearance, could not gain access to the Port and Bonded Terminal during the restricted period

the Banks Closure, which is key to agents Transaction, was not operational.

that the Licensed Agents Could not access the Shipping Companies due to closure.

that the agent cannot access NAFDAC, SON, and other Government Agencies to process their regulatory requirements to facilitate clearance from the Port.

that no transport or shuttle bus to move agents to their area of operation due to the restriction of movement of persons globally, in line with the principle of force-majeure.

He said several correspondences have since then been exchanged between the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) as the implementing agency of the Federal Government on COVID- 19 Pandemic and his association as the coordinating authority of the Federal government without any result, accusing the NPA of conniving with the service providers to collect the illegal fees.

“Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) in connivance with the Terminal Operators to illegally collected all the waiver wrongfully collected by the Terminal operators and shipping Companies, it was backdated to stop the refund of the waived (35) days wrongly collected charges by Terminal and shipping companies

“Five years after, the waiver was wrongly and forcefully collected by the Terminals operators and shipping companies, nothing has been refunded to the Importer as directed by the Presidency, all process was suspended due to the refusal of the terminal Operators to refund the thirty-five (35) days waiver wrongfully collected.

“Furthermore, records of Invoices wrongly paid by Importers/Licensed Customs Agents(LCA) to the Terminal Operators, have all been forwarded to Nigerian Ports Authority since 2020, as the agency responsible for coordinating the implementation of COVID-19 relief reconciliation with the Terminal operators.

In his petition, which he copied to the National Assembly, the Secretary to the Federal government, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, Amewero however appealed to President Tinubu to compel the Terminal Operators and shipping company to refund the money wrongly collected from the Importer/Licensed Customs Agents.

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.