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  • Importers, agents kick as shipping company increases charges

    Importers, agents kick as shipping company increases charges

    Importers and clearing agents operating at the nation’s ports have kicked against the increment in charges by leading French shipping company, CMA CGM, stating that the increment will add to the economic burden being passed on to the end users of the imported goods across the country.

    The CMA CGM has announced an increment in its charges, blaming it on the February adjustment of Port & Marine Fees by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), 32 years after, the Authority had been operating a fixed, unsustainable, unproductive and unacceptable tariff template affecting its operations.

    CMA CGM, in a mail to Importers stated: ”We are writing to inform you of a review of our charges following the recent increase in Port and Marine charges implemented by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), which came into effect on the 1st of March 2025.”

    As a result of such adjustment, we find it necessary to update our tariff structure to account for the new cost environment, effective 10 March 2025. “Under the review, a 20ft container will now be charged N145,327 while a 40ft container will attract N290,654.

    Before the new increment, investigation revealed that importers were paying N136,080 on 20ft container and N204,120 on 40ft container.

    Also, findings have shown that in 2022, importers and their clearing agents were paying N100,800 and N152,200 on 20ft and 40ft containers respectively.

    Read Also; NNPCL supplied 48mb to Dangote in naira for six months

    But a 20ft Reefer container nowl attracts N145,327 while a 40ft Reefer container attracts N290,654. “If you have any questions or require further clarification, please feel free to contact our customer service team at Nga.service@cma-cgm.com. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.” Reacting to the price review, the National President of the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), Frank Ogunojemite, stated that the increment will cripple the purchasing power of the common man and further increase the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports.

    Ogunojemite said: “Shipping and terminal charges are critical components of the logistics and supply chain management process. Increases in these charges can have far-reaching effects on various stakeholders, including having effects on Importers and Exporters via Increased costs.

    “Higher shipping and terminal charges lead to increased costs for importers and exporters, which will be passed on to consumers. Businesses may experience reduced profit margins due to higher logistics costs. This can make Nigerian businesses less competitive in the global market. The recent increment by CMA CGM will lead to higher prices for goods and services in Nigeria while making consumers experience reduced purchasing power due to higher prices.

    “This increment can also contribute to higher inflation rate in the country, forcing businesses to reduce staff or close operations due to increased costs. NPA told us that the 15 per cent hike will not lead to additional charges at the ports, but now the CMA CGM has blamed its recent increment on the hike in port tariff by the NPA.

    “NPA must look into this price increment by the shipping companies before other shipping companies follow suit.”

    Also speaking on the increment, a former National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Olayiwola Shittu blamed the Federal government on the increment by CMA CGM.

    “The fault is from the Federal government. There is no way NPA will increase its charges by 15 per cent and it will not affect shipping charges. Now, CMA CGM has announced an increment; expect other shipping companies to follow suit. And this will have far-reaching consequences on importation because the cost of clearing cargoes from the ports will go up.

    “With the situation we currently find ourselves economically, should we be talking about prices increment here and there? It’s quite unfortunate because the masses suffering will keep increasing,” Shittu said.

    Also, a motor vehicle importer, Obafemi Adebiyi said, there was an urgent need for the NPA to hold meeting with the shipping companies so that Nigerians will no continue to pay through their nose.

  • Lawyers, agents hail govt policy on rice

    Maritime lawyers and clearing agents have praised the Federal Government over the ban on rice importation through the land borders. The policy has reduced importation of rice and increased local production, they said.

    Speaking with The Nation, a maritime lawyer and university don, Dr Dipo Alaka, said Nigerians should support the policy.

    The Federal Government banned rice importation through the land borders and that has reduced rice importation and paved the way for more investments in local rice farming.

    “The policy is good because it has reduced rice importation and many state governments have embarked on large scale production of rice. For instance, there is collaboration between  Lagos State government and Kebbi State government on massive rice farming and, Enugu and Ebonyi states are also doing something good in that regard,” he said.

    A clearing agent, Mr Felix Ibidun said why foreign rice still dominate the market despite efforts to reduce its importation into the country “is based on the activities of the smugglers.

    “Many Nigerians now prefer buying Nigerian rice. I prefer to buy. So, I think the governments also have to encourage those who are producing them by buying them whenever they produce them and I think the government should support them in terms of raw materials that they would need and grant soft loans to those, who want to go into production of rice.

    “The policy is good. We are looking inwards and a lot of people are being engaged and a lot more people should be encouraged by making available subsidy like fertilisers to encourage those who want to go into production and those who would produce what they would eat and what they can sell to the public. So, I think the policy should be sustained by the government, “ Ibidun said.

  • Shipping firms plan N30b refund to importers, agents

    On-going negotiations between shipping companies and the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) will lead to refund of over N30 billion to importers and clearing agents, it was learnt at the weekend.

    The negotiation, it was gathered, was based on the fear that the Supreme Court may rule in favour of the Council in a suit challenging the alleged imposition of arbitrary charges on users of shipping services.

    No less than N600 billion may be refunded by the shipping firms, being accumulated levies collected over the years.

    The Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court had earlier given judgment in favour of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and slammed a N1 trillion fine on the shipping companies and terminal operators.

    Speaking with The Nation in relation to the meetings, the Vice President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Dr Kayode Farinto, said the Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr. Hassan Bello, remains committed to protecting the interests of users of shipping services in Nigeria. On the allegations of unauthorised levies imposed on shippers by terminal operators and ship owners, Farinto said the justice system in the country works slowly, but added that the shipping companies are making moves to shield themselves from the sledge hammer of the law. He expressed confidence that the negotiation will  lead to resolution  of issues.

    Although the ANLCA chief lamented the slow dispensation of justice in Nigeria, he said the delay was responsible for the inability of the NSC to speedily resolve issues bordering on reversal of illegally collected charges.

    Farinto reiterated that the court of first jurisdiction had awarded a charge of N1 trillion against the  operators and shipping companies on the excess charges collected from importers and agents within the period they increased terminal charges and shipping fees without due consultation with relevant government agencies.

    “The justice system is very slow. The court had determined at the first instance that the illegal levies amounted to over N1 trillion and money was to be paid to the system before it went to the Court of Appeal. While the case is still pending, the amount of the illegal levies collected so far is in the region of N7 trillion.”

    Shippers Council, he said, was not the one that went to court; they took the agency to court. “I do agree that the amount to be paid by the shipping companies can be negotiated through consultation and dialogue because there is no way you can unilaterally or arbitrarily impose charges and say this is my charge, it must be negotiated and approved by the agencies representing the government at ports,” he added.

    A senior official of NSC, who craved anonymity, said the council was open to out-of-court settlement, but added that the most important thing is for the stakeholders to be carried along and the need for the shipping companies to obey the laws of the country.

    A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had in a 2014 judgment declared that the Shipping Line Agency Charges (SLAC) levied and collected from Nigerian shippers by shipping companies since 2006 was illegal.

    “The Court, therefore, ruled that the shipping companies should account and pay to Nigerian shippers all monies or fees charged and collected since 2006 as SLAC from shippers or users of shipping/port related services from 2006 to date, which ran into several billions of naira.

    “In a landmark judgment by Justice Buba Ibrahim, sitting at the Federal High Court, Lagos, in Suit No. FHC/CS/1646/2014 – Alraine Shipping Agencies (Nig) Ltd & ORS Vs Nigerian Shippers’ Council and Suit No. FHC/CS/1704/2014 – Apapa Bulk Terminal Ltd & ORS Vs Nigerian Shippers’ Council, he affirmed the appointment of the Nigerian Shippers Council as the Economic Regulator of the ports and dismissed the claims of shipping companies and the terminal operators.

    “Pursuant to the appointment of the Nigerian Shippers Council as the Economic Regulator Government, in line with the executive powers of the president in February 2014, the NSC issued notices to both the shipping companies and terminal operators to reverse all illegal charges levied on Nigerian shippers,” the official said.

    Dissatisfied, the shipping companies and the concessionaires, he said, filed an appeal against the council at the Appeal Court in Lagos in 2015.

    “The Court of Appeal also dismissed the case brought against the Nigerian Shippers Council by the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria concerning shipping charges hence, the current out-of-court negotiation by the shipping companies with NSC.

    “They have over N600 billion to refund, but the amount they have to pay may not be more than N300 billon or more,” the NSC official said.

  • How to improve ports, by agents

    How can Nigeria become a hub of maritime operations in West and Central Africa? It is by the Federal Government backing the initiative of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to develop new port facilities to compete with others in the sub-region, clearing agents, have said.

    At a forum in Lagos,their spokeman and the immediate past president of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu, said it was important for the government to promote the industry to benefit from the increasing cargo traffic across the globe.

    New facilities, Shittu said, should be designed by the Ministry of Transport to meet the needs of the industry while anticipating what would happen in future.

    He called on the government to fund maritime researches, saying the sector lacks in-depth investigation because of poor funding.

    ‘‘The maritime industry has experienced an appreciable development in recent years. That development is set to stay. World trade continues to shift global markets and production lines make new demands on transport systems and  ports in particular.

    ‘‘Ports serve the national interest, supporting the competitiveness of national and regional economies. It is in the nation’s interest that our ports remain able to handle cargo trade and its potential development efficiently and sustainably.”

    The industry, Shittu said, was in dire need of a number of reforms.

    “New port facilities would help to bring the industry to international standards. The importers lamented that previous administrations, like most practitioners in the maritime industry, did not live by the rules guiding the profession, which they said has resulted in a number of problems in the sector.

    “The maritime industry requires reforms; reform by way of standardising, educating, informing, sanitising the practice and making it global because the mere mention of the words import and export trade means we are not doing it locally but across borders. Therefore, there are set rules, information and knowledge that operators must possess,” he said.

    Shittu said the industry has projected for rapid and sustainable growth.

    “Based on this development and the strategic position Nigeria occupy in the industry and the sub-region, for the development of human capital for an enhanced economy, it is expected of the government to train our youths to develop interest in maritime education,” Shittu said.

    To meet the manpower requirement for the nation’s fleet, Shittu  canvassed for robust, consistent, versatile and dynamic maritime policies, which are in tandem with global standards.

  • Agents to govt: promote ship repairs

    The Federal Government has been urged to promote indigenous ship repairs and dry docking.

    Nigeria, it was learnt, needs ship repairs and dry docking facilities to boost maritime, create employment and generate more revenue

    Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) immediate past president Prince Olayiwola Shittu, who made the call, said it was regrettable that Nigeria had no functional ship repairs and dry docking firms.

    Shittu said Nigeria accounted for over 70 per cent of the ships coming to Africa, adding that no fewer than 5,000 vessels called at the seaports yearly.

    He said with modern repairs’ facilities, the sector could rake in billions of naira and also create jobs. Most of the vessels on Nigeria’s territorial waters, he said, go to the neighbouring countries for dry-docking and other routine maintenance, adding that this is at a huge loss to the country.

    Shittu bemoaned the rate of pollution in the nation’s territorial waters and commended the Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for addressing the issue of illegal fishing and dumping of hazardous wastes in the waters.

    He said the dumping of toxic wastes  and the increasing crimes on the coastline require the collaboration and commitment of the Federal Government and NIMASA, with foreign partners to build a safe maritime sector.

    The ANLCA chief pointed out that security experts in Africa have developed theories to check the increasing dumping of hazardous wastes and the menacing piracy, adding that Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand have set the stage for cooperation between states, both in information exchange and mobilisation of resources.

    He observed that the insecurity on Africa’s waterways forced insurers to hike rates for ships passing through the region.

    Shittu said: “This significant maritime presence requires that ship repairs with dry docks of varying capacities be established to cope with the maintenance requirement of these vessels. Classification society rules and the good maintenance of ships require that ships be dry docked every 30 months on the average for routine surveys.

    “Special surveys are required at every alternative docking that is once in three years. As the age of a vessel increases, so does the amount of repair work needed. Aside from routine docking, vessels need to come to propeller and ship hull, or damages caused by ropes or debris, and also mechanical breakdown.

    “Sadly, the ship repairs industry in Nigeria is under-developed and its potential untapped. This is largely because the government has not paid meaningful attention to this sector of the economy.

    “As a result of the shortage of adequate ship repair facilities, most of the vessels in Nigerian waters proceed to neighbouring countries for scheduled dry docking and other routine maintenance works. This is at huge financial loss to the country, while at the same time denying employment opportunities for Nigerians,’’ he said.

  • CBN appoints inspection agents for non-oil exports

    CBN appoints inspection agents for non-oil exports

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday announced the appointment of Pre-shipment Inspection Agents (PIAs).

    The appointed agents already approved by the Finance Minister Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, are Cobalt International Services Limited, which will operate in South-West and Carmine Assayer Limited to operate in the North-West, North-East and North-Central. Also appointed is Neroli Technologies Limited to operate in South-South and South-East.

    The CBN in a circular to all authorized dealers, the Nigeria Customs Service, Terminal Operators and the general public said the appointment is on temporary basis, pending the appointment of new agents, or whenever their services are no longer needed.

    The CBN also warned Nigerians against investments in cryptocurrency, stressing that virtual currencies are not legal tender in Nigeria. The CBN reiterated that cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ripples, Monero, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Onecoin, among others and exchanges such as NairaEx were not licensed or regulated by the regulator.

    The statement signed by the bank’s Acting Director in charge of Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor, emphasised that dealers and investors in any kind of crypto currency in Nigeria were not protected by law, thus may be unable to seek legal redress in event of failure of the exchangers or collapse of the business.

    The CBN therefore warned Nigerians against investing in cryptocurrency as doing so would be at their own risk.

     

  • Agents seek cut in interest rates

    The Federal Government has been urged to reduce interest rates to enable ship owners upgrade their facilities and compete with foreigners.

    In an interview with The Nation in Lagos, some stakeholders urged the government to build a vibrant investment climate for the sector.

    Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ( ANLCA) President Prince Olayiwola Shittu said there should be policies to create linkages between the industry and other sectors, such as banking and manufacturing.

    He suggested measures, such as a dedicated institutional financing mechanism for the shipping and maritime sector, and a comprehensive regulatory policy, to delineate the role and responsibilities of the government and private sector in the development of the sector.

    A shipper, Akinderu-Fatai, said the purchase of modern vessels would provide jobs for millions  across the country.

    Shittu said there was a need for sustained partnerships between the private and public sectors for effective funding.

    The country, he said, has not enjoyed benefits of transporting large quantities of cargoes because local ship owners lacked the capital.

    Akinderu-Fatai suggested that the Federal Government should integrate maritime education and training into the national university system so that Nigerians interested in seafarers’training could get the necessary education to promote the sector.

    Lamenting the lack of foreign exposure for better performance, he said many operators were bogged down with no experience, with little or no education.

    “There is a need for more government interventions aside the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) to actively encourage the banking sector to support local ship owners to acquire modern fleet, which can sail anywhere in the world,” he said.

    An importer, Mr Timoty Adetoye  said 60 per cent of the inward and outward-bound sea trade in the West and Central Africa sub-regions passed through the nation’s waterways. He called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, to assist in developing the industry.

    He said the country needed to expand its merchant fleet because of  the high volume of bulk liquid, gas and dry cargoes that passes through its waterways.

    “The fleet to carry the enormous quantity of cargo is estimated at 200 tankers, including combo general cargo vessels and liquefied natural gas vessels, Adetoye said.

     

  • Importers, agents urge govt to invest in infrastructure

    How can Nigeria become a hub of maritime operations in West and Central Africa? It is by getting the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to develop new port facilities comparable to none in the sub-region.

    Importers’ and clearing agents made this suggestion at a forum in Lagos.

    According to their spokesperson, Sesan Abolarinwa, it is imperative for the government to promote the maritime industry to benefit from the increasing cargo traffic across the globe.

    New facilities, Abolarinwa, Bolas Motors Managing Director, said should be designed by the Ministry of Transport to meet the logistics needs of the industry in anticipation of future development.

    He called on the government to fund maritime researches, saying the sector lacked in-depth investigation due to poor funding.

    ‘‘The maritime industry has experienced an appreciable development in recent years. That development is set to stay. World trade continues to shift global markets and production lines make new demands on transport systems and on ports in particular.

    ‘‘Ports serve the national interest, supporting the competitiveness of national and regional economies. It is in the nation’s interest that our ports remain able to handle cargo trade and its potential development efficiently and sustainably,” he said.

    The maritime industry, according to Abolarinwa, was in dire need of a number of reforms. “New port facilities would help to bring the industry to international  standards. The importers lamented that previous administrations, like most practitioners in the maritime industry, did not live by the rules guiding the profession, which they said has resulted in a number of problems in the sector.

    “The maritime industry requires reforms; reform by way of standardising, educating, informing, sanitising the practice and making it global because the mere mention of the words import and export trade means we are not doing it locally, but across borders. Therefore, there are set rules, information and knowledge that  operators must possess,” he said.

    Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) President, Prince Olayiwola Shittu said the maritime industry has project for rapid and sustainable growth.

    “Based on this development and the strategic position Nigeria occupy in the industry and the sub-region for the development of human capital for an enhanced economy, it is expected of the government to train our youth to develop interest in maritime education,” Shittu said.

    To meet the manpower requirement for the nation’s fleet, Shittu also canvassed for robust, consistent, versatile and dynamic maritime policies, which are in tandem with global issues to ensures efficiency.

    He lamented that the country, despite its huge population, has no standard maritime institute compared to countries such as the Philippines, which he said, has over 40 maritime academies with half of the population.

    The Philippines, Shittu said supplies over 30 per cent of the world’s seafarers’ requirement.

    He noted that the Philippines earn over $1.6 billion from reparation from seafarers.

    Shittu emphasised the need for a training school to develop competent manpower for the sector, adding that the industry would grow if the government co-opted the private sector into its manpower development strategy.

    A stakeholder, Mr Benson Adegboyega, called on the Federal Government to formulate a new policy that would promote business at the ports.

    This, according to him, requires strengthening regional commitment to eradicating sub-standard shipping and ensure the rapid development of the industry.

  • Be agents of nation-building, not violence, youths told

    The founder of Live Abundantly Empowerment Initiative, Dr Ama Onyerinma, yesterday urged the youth not to yield themselves as tools for violence, but to be agents of nation-building.

    Onyerinma made the plea in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    “The increasing participation of youths in violent activities in Nigeria in recent times is a source of worry to both policy-makers and researchers alike.

    “Most violent activities, ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, rape, street fighting, electoral violence, violence during crises moments in Nigeria, are being perpetrated by youths.

    “Yet, the very future of this country depends on the kind of youths the present generation is able to nurture, “she said.

    Onyerinma appealed to the youth not to be brain-washed by anyone in a bid to make them perpetrate evil acts or violence.

    She advised the youth help in advancing the culture of peace.

    “We must invest in their education, security, job preparedness, employment opportunities and civic participation.

    “They are invaluable and pivotal to the peaceful progress of a nation and to the world at large.

    “The youths should play an active role in peace and conflict resolution by forming a new phalanx of peace missionaries and NGO network in the grassroots, concentrating on value education and spiritual renewal among children.

    “The World Programme of Action for Youth, which provides a policy framework and practical guidelines to improve the situation of young people, also encourages promoting the active involvement of youth in maintaining peace and security, “ she said.

    According to her, the government needs to empower the youth by creating an enabling environment for them to realise their full potentials through good governance.

    Onyerinma said that greater emphasis should be placed on developing functional institutions, ensuring transparency and accountability in governance and fighting corruption, among others.

  • Fed Govt’s agents, politicians threaten judiciary, says CJN

    Fed Govt’s agents, politicians threaten judiciary, says CJN

    The independence of the judiciary and its ability to dispense justice unhindered are threatened by Federal Government agents and politicians, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, has said.

    Onnoghen regretted an emerging trend where judicial officers (judges and justices) were unduly castigated and accused of corrupt practices by agents of the Federal Government and politicians, without giving them the opportunity to be heard.

    He spoke yesterday during a thanksgiving service in his honour at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Abuja Diocese, Wuse Zone 3.

    “The Judiciary is under threat. Judges and judicial officers, including myself are being castigated without given the opportunity to be heard. But, God knows our heart.

    “I did not set out to be a judge, but today I am a judge by divine intervention. It’s the Lord’s doing, and mine is to follow. My prayer is that God should help me and should not let me down.

    “I thank Nigerians for attending this event. It is supposed to be a personal thing between me and my God, but I have no hiding place. I thank God for fulfilling His promise to me,” Onnoghen said.

    The CJN, who was accompanied by his family , cited the case of Anambra Central Senatorial election, where Senator Uche Ekwunife reportedly accused the Judiciary of robbing her of her mandate, without evidence, as a case of undue accusation of the Judiciary.

    He said the nation would only get it right when the leadership abides by the Constitution and Rule of Law.

    Justice Onnoghen, who thanked God for his eventual emergence as the CJN, urged Nigerians not to relent in their prayers for the sustenance of the judiciary.

    The event was presided over by the Archbishop of Abuja Diocese of the Methodist Church, the Most Reverend Joseph Oche Job.

    The cleric prayed God to direct and give the CJN the wisdom to lead the Judiciary.

    He prayed for peace in the country and urged all to be guided by the fear of God.

    Dignitaries at the event include the Head of Service of the Federation (HOSF), Winifred Oyo-Ita, former governors of Rivers and Cross River states – Peter Odili and Liyel Imoke; and Senator Ndoma Egba.are Justices Mary Odili, Bode Rhodes-Vivour, Clara Ogunbiyi, Olukayode Ariwoola, Chima Nweze and John Okoro (all of the Supreme Court). A retired Justice of the court, John Fabiyi, was also in attendance.

    Others are Adegboyega Awomolo and his wife, Victoria; former Justice Minister and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Bayo Ojo, Niyi Akintola, Sabastine Hon, Alex Izinyon, Sunday Ameh, Yakubu Maikyau and Godwin Obla – all Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

    Officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) invaded the official residences of seven judges late last year and arrested them, accusing them of corruption.

    Following the development, the National Judicial Council (NJC) directed the affected judges to stop sitting, with the exclusion of Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja, whose house the DSS said was visited in error.

    Of the seven, two were charged to court. While Justice Adeniyi Admola (one of the two charged) has since been acquitted, the trial of Justice Sylvester Ngwuta (the second) is fast progressing.

    The others affected judges are currently left idle as the DSS has failed to either charge them to court or issue them with a clearance notice to enable the NJC to direct them to resume duties.