Despite challenges, port agencies recorded moderate progress in 2024 – Center

Port regulatory agencies in Nigeria are reported to have faced a lot of significant challenges in the discharge of their statutory functions in 2024. But despite these challenges, some of them still recorded notable progress.

This assertion is contained in a paper authored and released by the Sea Empowerment Research Center RTG on January 1, 2025. The title of the paper is – A Critical Review of the Nigeria’s Maritime Industry (Performances and Issues) in 2024.

A copy of the paper, which chronicles challenges and progress made by the port industry in 2024, was made available to PortNews by the Head of Research of the Center, Fwdr Eugene Nweke, Rff.

Fwdr Eugene Nweke, in the lengthy paper, noted that despite various initiatives embarked upon by these agencies to enhance productivity in the port in 2024, the Nigerian maritime industry still faced significant challenges such as  inefficiency, limited resources, etc.

Performance of each agency is as follows in the report:

Customs
On Customs, the report maintains that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has continued to play a critical role in revenue generation and trade facilitation. However, the agency has faced challenges related to corruption, inefficiency, and modernization.

The NCS has made appreciable efforts to address these challenges with the introduction of new technologies and procedures. The Service within the year (2024) commenced the application of the Advance Ruling AR concept and the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) programme. Additionally, it recently introduced the application of geo-partial surveillance networks, thus, sizing down multiple checks points along the cargo movement corridor. It intends to beam its administrative search lights inwardly, hence, the redeployment of the post clearance audit to the headquarters for a closer and effective usage of the unit, especially, the recovery of revenue infractions.

Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller General of Customs

SON
The Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) has also played a crucial role in ensuring the quality of goods imported into the country. However, the agency has faced challenges related to limited resources and inadequate enforcement of standards. SON has made efforts to address these challenges including the introduction of new standards and procedures to improve the quality of goods. Here again, the agency has a duty to stem the influx of substandard and counterfeit products which gained access to the market through insider tradings and compromise.

Ifeanyi Okeke, Director General of SON

NAFDAC
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) has continued to play a critical role in ensuring the safety and quality of food and drugs imported into the country. However, the agency has faced challenges related to limited resources and inadequate enforcement of regulations. NAFDAC has made efforts to address these challenges, including the introduction of new regulations and procedures to improve the safety and quality of food and drugs. The recent signing of an MOU with the Nigeria Customs Service is expected to accelerate enforcement and increase efficiency. It has a duty to increase its market surveillance and enforcement, to rid fake products off the shelves.

Mojisola Adeyeye, Director General of NAFDAC

NIMASA
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has been working to improve the country’s maritime safety and security as well as efficient port operations. The agency has achieved some milestones, including the passage of the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences Bill into law, establishment of integrated national maritime surveillance and security infrastructure, and sustainable implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

NIMASA has played a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of ships and crew in Nigerian waters. However, the agency has faced challenges related to political incursions and inadequate enforcement of regulations.

Dayo Mobereola, Director General of NIMASA

NPA
The Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) has continued to play a critical role in the management and operation of ports in Nigeria. However, a growing concern is on the rising spate of cargo diversions to the neighbouring countries. Though, the agency has faced challenges related to limited resources and inadequate infrastructure. The NPA has made efforts to address these challenges, including the introduction of new technologies and procedures to improve efficiency and reduce congestion. But, despite these efforts, it does not seem to be enough. Administrative supervisory wise, issues related to making public a transparent yearly port performance reevaluation for the respective port operators is still a concern to port users for several reasons, especially, port efficiency and competition wise.

Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of NPA

NSC
The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has assumed a central economic regulatory role under a new agency, which has given it more powers to regulate the shipping industry. However, the agency has faced challenges related to limited resources and inadequate enforcement of regulations. The NSC has made efforts to address these challenges, including the introduction of new regulations and procedures to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the shipping industry. However, by ascending to its new legislative roles, as the central industry economic regulator, it is expected to inject the needed impetus in the industry regulatory compliance.

Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council

In the paper, these agencies are advised to speed up enforcement of their regulations to prevent non-compliance and modernize their processes and procedures to improve efficiency and reduce corruption.

Also, government must provide adequate resources for these agencies to effectively regulate the port system.