General
Shippers Lament High Berthing Charges in Nigeria, Seek Reduction
By Adedapo Adesanya
Shipping stakeholders under the aegis of the Shipping Agencies, Clearing and Forwarding Employers Association (SACFEA) have called on the federal government to urgently reduce taxes for shippers.
The group warned that exorbitant port charges are driving business away from Nigerian ports to neighbouring countries.
At a recent press conference in Lagos, SACFEA Chairman, Mrs Boma Alabi, highlighted that it now costs around $200,000 to berth an average cargo vessel in Nigeria, following a recent 15 per cent increase in marine service charges by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
She decried that this is in stark contrast to other countries, drawing examples that the same service costs just $15,000 at Ghana’s Tema Port, noting that Nigeria’s fees are 1,233 per cent higher in Ghana.
She added that this would force the hands of stakeholders to try cheaper alternative routes, cutting them out of the equation.
Mrs Alabi said that neighbouring ports, including those in Cotonou and Lome, offer significantly lower berthing charges, making Nigerian ports uncompetitive.
For example, she said berthing a vessel costs $26,000 in Lome (Togo), $27,000 in Cotonou (Benin Republic), $29,000 in Singapore, $21,000 in Shanghai, and $60,000 in Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire).
The SACFEA chairman pointed out that smaller neighbouring countries have taken advantage of Nigeria’s high costs to attract cargoes originally destined for Nigerian ports.
She cited Terminal 3 at Ghana’s Tema Port, a dedicated container terminal with three berths capable of handling ships up to 366 meters in length and 16 meters draught – which processes 1.9 million Twenty Equivalent Units (TEUs) annually compared to Nigeria’s 1.2 million TEUs.
Mrs Alabi expressed concern that increased charges and indirect taxes are making Nigeria’s business environment hostile to investment.
She warned that no new factories or manufacturing companies are emerging while the unemployment rate continues to climb.
“We were not informed about the charges before the government implemented them,” Mrs Alabi said, adding that “The government should make ports competitive and attractive through reduced charges. Lower charges will increase cargo throughput, generating more revenue and creating jobs for the youth.”
She also listed multiple charges from government agencies, decaying quay aprons, congested port access roads, poor road conditions, and illegal tolls as factors contributing to the high cost of doing business at Nigerian seaports.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.
This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.
“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.
“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.
The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.
Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.
By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.
The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.
“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.
Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.
By Bon Peters
The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.
At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.
At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.
“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.
He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.
The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating trade and increasing Revenue generation.”
“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.
“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.
“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.
Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.
The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.
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