General
NPA, NCS Target 24-Hour Port Operations
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) are targeting a speedy structure that will enable the cleating of cargo at the ports within 24 hours.
Both agencies are currently in talks over the 24-hour cargo clearance operations ahead of the introduction of the Single Window policy.
The Managing Director of the NPA, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, said that both organisations have engaged each other over this issue to make the port more efficient and cost-effective.
Mr Bello-Koko also said that this issue of 24-hour port operation could be achieved if customs can commence the shift system of work, calling for a quicker auction process of seized or overtime cargoes to decongest the ports.
He explained that with 24-hour port operations, NPA will be able to have cargoes released within the time frame in all its port locations.
He said: “We have had stakeholder engagement where we talked about the need to have 24-hour port operations and the need for us to have shifts. We have seen that that instruction has been given.
“A few ports have started implementing that. But we require that you make it a policy and send out a circular that will ensure that officers are on seat when they are supposed to be and that way we Will be able to have cargo release and so on 24 hours at all port locations.
“But so far, we have seen action has been taken and we appreciate that. But we just want it to be formalized adequately and sent to all locations. That will help us reduce the time it takes to release cargo from the pots. We have raised the issue of export with you. We have seen a tremendous increase in the percentage and quantity of export cargo. And we appreciate that.
On his part, the Comptroller General of the Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, said that the agency was ready to deepen the already existing relations with the NPA adding that bigger cooperation between both agencies will translate to a better facilitation of trade that will bring about a more efficient port system that will better grow the economy.
He also said that any desire to make Nigerian ports more competitive will be supported by the management of the NCS.
“A lot is going for us in terms of collaboration between the customs and the NPA. So, my visit today, first, is to renew our friendship. The second is to deepen the relationship between us. And third, through the projects that we want to launch, we want to see how we can strengthen the collaboration and the cooperation that has been existing between the NCS and NPA.
“What are the projected outcomes of this kind of collaboration? They are very simple. And it is something of vision alignment. NPA desires to achieve port efficiency. And we believe that in customs, port efficiency would help to facilitate trade.
“NPA, through all its programs, is trying to promote the competitiveness of our ports. This aligns with our vision because many Nigerians are diverting their things across the neighbouring ports.
“And we must do everything to ensure that our ports remain competitive so that our cargo and the economy is driven by our ports. And finally, we want to make our ports more efficient. When our ports are more efficient, it will translate into better efforts in revenue.”
“So, anything and everything that will help to reduce the time and the costs it takes to conduct business in our ports is those things that we are going to be exploring in the collaboration with NPA. And I’m happy that you have mentioned all of them.
“And if you go through all of these areas that you have mentioned, they all speak to ensuring that we have a better future. We have better ports, more efficient ports, more competitive ports, and ports that speak to our needs,” he added.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
In order to aid alternative and sustainable means of livelihood amid rising food prices and growing concerns over food security in Nigeria, the Ibese Plant of Dangote Cement Plc has handed over a state-of-the-art garri and fufu processing plant to the Kajola host community in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The facility is expected to support cassava farmers and processors by improving efficiency and expanding income-generating opportunities.
According to the organisation, the project, delivered under the Community Development Agreement (CDA) with its host communities signed in 2022, is a strategic intervention aimed at boosting agricultural value addition, reducing post-harvest losses and strengthening livelihoods for rural farmers and women.
The Ibese Plant Director, Mr Ayyagari Subbaraidu, at the commissioning, said, “This project is aimed at improving cassava processing, reducing losses and creating sustainable employment for women and farmers in the community.”
He disclosed that the facility features separate garri and fufu processing units equipped with modern machinery, including a five-tonne-per-day peeling machine, hydraulic presses, frying systems, fermentation basins, solar-powered boreholes and sanitation infrastructure, adding that it will serve as a catalyst for local economic growth by enhancing productivity and supporting small-scale agribusinesses across Kajola and neighbouring communities.
The Plant Director also urged the community and the Project Governance Committee to maintain transparency in the management of the facility to ensure long-term sustainability.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Bolu Owotomo, who was at the unveiling of the project, said it aligns with Governor Dapo Abiodun’s vision of making agriculture a key driver of economic growth through value addition and enterprise development.
The Commissioner disclosed that “over 166,000 farmers, including more than 90,000 cassava farmers, have been registered under the Ogun State Farmers Information Management System (OGFIMS) to benefit from government interventions.”
He urged the community to safeguard the facility and assured residents of the continued support of the state government towards agricultural development and food security.
“This processing plant will strengthen the cassava value chain, improve product quality, create jobs and enhance food security while boosting farmers’ incomes,” the Commissioner stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has hailed the recent sanctioning of three Nigerian bureau de change (BDC) operators by the United States’ Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for alleged terrorism financing.
“The Nigeria Sanctions Committee welcomes the recent inclusion of Mukthar Muhammad Adamu, Nine to Nine BDC, and Generation BDC Limited by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
“These designations follow the inclusion of Adamu and his companies as part of a broader update to the Nigeria Sanctions List approved and published on 18th June 2026,” it disclosed in a statement.
It said that the naming of the three companies and six people followed extensive intelligence gathering, financial investigations, and inter-agency assessments, which established reasonable grounds to believe that the affected individuals and entities facilitated, financed, supported, or otherwise contributed to the activities of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and associated terrorist networks.
“The individuals and entities added to the Nigeria Sanctions List on 18th June 2026 are Ibrahim Yakubu Ogirima (NLISWi.19), Muktar Muhammad Adamu (NLISWi.20), Adamu Chiroma (NLISWi.21), Ibrahim Abubakar (NLISWi.22), Abdullahi Umar Usman (NLISWi.23), Babangida Muhammed Adamu Hammajam (NLISWi.24), Abbal Bako & Sons Bureau De Change Limited (NLISWe.25), Generation Currency BDC Limited (NLISWe.26), Nine to Nine BDC Limited (NLISWe.27),” the statement read in part.
The federal government reiterated its directive to all financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions to continue to comply with all sanctions obligations, including asset-freezing requirements, the filing of suspicious transaction reports, and the reporting of all relevant matches to the appropriate authorities.
The sanctions committee commended the work of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Department of State Services, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit for their actions to ensure that terrorist groups are denied the resources that sustain their activities.
It stated that Nigeria remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring that terrorists and their financiers find no safe haven within the country’s financial system.
The committee also said that the Federal Government would continue to work closely with domestic stakeholders and international partners to protect national security, strengthen financial integrity, and contribute to global efforts to combat terrorism and its financing.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A radio station, Wise FM, has been sealed by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The premises of the broadcast media platform, located on Ogabi Street, Meiran, Ile-Iwe Bus Stop, were shut by the state government on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, alongside other establishments across different parts of Lagos State for alleged persistent violations of environmental regulations despite repeated warnings, abatement notices, and opportunities provided for compliance.
In a statement by LASEPA, it was disclosed that the enforcement exercise was carried out in response to various environmental infractions, including noise pollution, air pollution, obstruction of official duties, and failure to comply with its directives.
As regards Wise FM, it was said that it was sealed for noise and air pollution as well as non-compliance with the Agency’s directives.
Another organisation affected, Star-View Terrace, located in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, was shut down for noise pollution and non-compliance with the agency’s directives, while Premiership Suites, located at Akin Osiyemi Street, Off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, was sealed for non-compliance with the agency’s directives.
Speaking on the enforcement operation, the General Manager of LASEPA, Mr Babatunde Ajayi, reiterated the organisation’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment across Lagos State.
He stressed that both individuals and corporate organisations have a responsibility to comply with environmental laws and regulations, stressing that environmental protection remains a collective duty that requires the cooperation of all stakeholders.
The LASEPA boss warned that the agency would continue to intensify enforcement actions against violators in order to curb environmental nuisances and protect residents from the harmful effects of pollution.
Mr Ajayi urged residents, business owners, and operators of commercial establishments to adopt environmentally responsible practices and cooperate with regulatory authorities in promoting a healthier, cleaner, and more livable Lagos.
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