The National Compliance Joint Taskforce of Licensed Clearing Agents (NCJTF-LCA) has raised fresh concerns over what it described as escalating misconduct across Nigeria’s port operations, urging the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) to intensify its watchdog role in exposing actions that undermine trade facilitation.
Speaking during a working visit to MARAN’s Office in Apapa on Thursday, the Taskforce’s National President, Dr. Basil Chudi Nwolisa, said unethical practices by agencies and operators have become increasingly “embarrassing” to Nigeria in the eyes of the global business community.
Nwolisa identified persistent non-compliance with the ALERT regulatory system, shipping companies’ deliberate refusal to refund container deposits, and repeated interceptions by the Customs Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of containers already cleared by authorized officers as some of the most troubling trends.
He further accused terminal operators of creating unnecessary delays for customs clearance agents, while adding that the extortion of Nigerian trucks along major highways has worsened the already fragile trade environment.
“These issues are not accidental—they are man-made and rooted in human weaknesses. They continue to cast the Nigerian port industry in a negative light internationally,” he said.
The NCJTF-LCA President stressed that while the Taskforce was established to combat corruption and restore integrity in port processes, its efforts would be ineffective without strong media support.
He urged MARAN to increase investigative reporting on port infractions and work closely with the Taskforce in exposing system failures and corrupt practices.
“Your role as maritime journalists is indispensable. We need your collaboration, consultation, and partnership to ensure that this fight succeeds,” he told the association’s leadership.
During the visit, Nwolisa also invited MARAN to the body’s Third Anniversary Celebration scheduled for December 10, 2025, at Rockview Hotel, Festac Town—a ceremony that will also feature chapter inaugurations, a fundraising programme, and his birthday celebration.
He thanked MARAN for its hospitality and reaffirmed the Taskforce’s commitment to strengthening port compliance through collective action.
“We deeply appreciate this opportunity to engage with you. Together, we can restore sanity and credibility to the maritime industry,” he added.
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The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service , Bashir Adeniyi, addressing participants of the 2025 CGC conference on Thursday in Abuja
