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The much-anticipated PortNews Port Reforms Summit is set to take place on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the Rockview Hotel in Apapa, Lagos. The summit has generated significant interest among stakeholders in the maritime industry, with its theme, "Port Reforms and Local Content: Has Nigeria Fared Well?" sparking intense discourse among port users and key maritime stakeholders The summit aims to review the port reforms implemented between 2002 and 2006, which led to the concession of NPA port terminals to local and foreign private investors. Stakeholders from various associations, including the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the…

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Area Command has initiated an investigation into a disturbing viral video depicting customs officers maltreating civilians . The video, which has sparked widespread outrage, shows officers attached to the command engaging in unethical conduct. The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Kayode Kolade, has strongly condemned the actions of the officers, emphasizing that their behavior contradicts the values and operational standards of the service. The CAC has directed that the officers involved be withdrawn and interrogated to facilitate decisive disciplinary measures . The NCS has assured the public that the outcome of the investigative panel…

Nigeria's journey to successfully implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is being hindered by several barriers, including concealment of information, over-reliance on road transport, and inefficient logistics management. These challenges were highlighted by Dr. Kayode Farinto, former Acting National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), in a paper titled "AfCFTA: Dismantling Trade Barriers, Navigating Regional Trade. Farinto emphasized the need for accurate information management, stating that concealment of information from the public is not only against the Freedom of Information Act but also hampers the success of AfCFTA. He also stressed the importance of…

The Tin Can Island Port Customs Command has achieved a significant milestone with the commissioning of its newly renovated office complex. The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, dsm, fnipr, psc(+), was on hand to officially open the renovated facility, which marks a major transformation for the Command . The renovation is a significant achievement, considering that the office complex had not undergone any major modernization since its inception in 1977. The transformation is not just about aesthetics; it represents a commitment to service excellence, improved working conditions, and enhanced operational efficiency . The Command has also made…

In a significant move to boost Nigeria's economic development, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reiterated the Federal Government's dedication to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Speaking at the Maritime Reporters' Association of Nigeria Annual Lecture in Lagos, Oyetola emphasized the government's efforts to dismantle trade barriers and navigate regional trade . Key Highlights: •⁠  ⁠Export Processing Terminals (EPTs): The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has licensed several EPTs to enhance trade efficiency and fast-track export procedures under AfCFTA. •⁠  ⁠Guided Trade Initiative (GTI): Nigeria recorded its inaugural shipment ceremony under GTI in…

In a shocking revelation, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has accused the Nigerian Navy of aiding and abetting crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region . Tompolo, the Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, made these claims during a visit from the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association. According to Tompolo, the Nigerian Navy has been frustrating efforts to combat oil theft by providing protection for illegal oil bunkering operations and facilitating the theft of crude oil . He cited specific incidents where Navy personnel escorted stolen crude oil shipments and intervened to ensure…

Hon. Olumekun Olubunmi, President of the Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) and the Association of West African Exporters and Maritime Professionals (AWAEMAP), has extended heartfelt congratulations to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa on his well-deserved victory in the Ondo State gubernatorial election. In his congratulatory message, Hon. Olubunmi praised Governor Aiyedatiwa's commitment to public service, urging him to deliver impactful leadership that surpasses his predecessors' achievements. "The people of Ondo State have placed their trust in you to lead them toward prosperity," he stated. As a firm advocate for Nigeria's Blue Economy and inland waterways optimization, Hon. Olumekun emphasized the…