The President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Com. Adewale Adeyanju, has alleged that there is still under-declaration of cargoes at Nigerian ports. He attributed this to the absence of tally clerks..
Adeyanju in a chat with Shipping Position Daily recently articulated the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that under-declaration is not a mere allegation, but a reality within Nigerian ports system.
He highlighted the absence of physical tallying, a practice that was previously in place, but has now become obsolete, leaving room for exploitation and manipulation of cargo records by shippers and their collaborators.
“The under-declaration of cargoes is a significant problem plaguing our port operations; we know what is going on underground, and it’s happening unchecked.” Adeyanju stated emphatically.
He said the absence of tally clerks, who traditionally play a crucial role in verifying cargo quantity, has created loopholes for unscrupulous individuals to engage in underhand practices. He pointed out that without proper tallying; there can not be accurate record of cargo quantity, leading to discrepancies between declared and actual cargo volumes.
“The lack of physical tallying allows for manipulation of cargo records, when a vessel arrives with a certain quantity of cargo, but only a fraction is declared, it raises serious concerns about accountability and transparency”, he said
Speaking further, Adeyanju underscored the integral role of tally clerks in port operations, both domestically and internationally. He emphasized that the absence of tally clerks is a regressive step for Nigerian ports, especially in an era where digitalization has transformed various aspects of maritime operations.
“Tally clerks are essential for ensuring transparency and accountability in port operations, their absence not only hampers efficiency but also facilitates fraudulent activities that undermine the integrity of our ports.”
Furthermore, the President General of MWUN highlighted the need for governmental intervention to address the issue effectively. He emphasized the importance of regulatory bodies such as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) taking proactive measures to curb under-declaration and restore confidence in port operations.
“We have raised these concerns with the NPA on several occasions, however, more decisive action is needed to address the root causes of under-declaration and hold accountable those responsible for perpetrating such practices.”
In addition to the under-declaration of cargoes, Adeyanju also raised concerns about illegal operations at private jetties across the country. He accused certain terminal operators of obstructing government-appointed contractors from conducting oversight activities, thereby facilitating illicit activities within the terminals.
“The situation at the jetties is equally alarming,” Adeyanju remarked, adding that, “some terminal operators are flouting regulations and preventing government-appointed contractors from performing their duties, which compromises the integrity of port operations.”
Adeyanju called for swift intervention from the Managing Director of the NPA and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to address these systemic challenges and restore accountability within the maritime sector. He urged both officials to conduct comprehensive assessments of port facilities and jetties to rectify any irregularities.
“The time for action is now; we cannot afford to turn a blind eye to these issues any longer. The integrity of our ports and the sustainability of our maritime industry depend on decisive and concerted efforts to combat under declaration and illegal activities”, he said.
