The National Compliance Joint Taskforce of Licensed Clearing Agents (NCJTF-LCA) on Thursday urged maritime journalists to intensify their role in exposing irregularities across Nigeria’s port system during a visit to the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in Apapa, Lagos.
The taskforce delegation, led by its National President, High Chief Dr. Basil Chudi Nwolisa, met MARAN’s leadership as part of ongoing consultations with strategic actors in the maritime industry.
Nwolisa used the visit to formally invite MARAN to the NCJTF-LCA’s third anniversary celebration scheduled for 10 December 2025 at Rockview Hotel, Festac Town.
He said the event would also feature a fundraising programme, the inauguration of the taskforce’s new chapters, and a birthday ceremony in his honour.
Speaking during the visit, Nwolisa said Nigeria’s port environment continued to face difficulties arising largely from human-driven operational inconsistencies.
He cited non-compliance with regulatory systems, particularly the ALERT mechanism, as one of the most persistent obstacles to smooth clearance processes.
The NCJTF-LCA president accused some shipping companies of withholding container deposit refunds, describing the practice as unfair to licensed clearing agents and importers.
He also condemned recurring incidents in which the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) seizes containers that had been duly examined and released by authorised Customs officers.
Such practices, he said, have created conflicting enforcement actions within government agencies and disrupted cargo flow.
Nwolisa noted that terminal operators also contribute to industry inefficiency by subjecting clearing agents to prolonged delays.
He added that Nigerian truck drivers continue to face extortion along major highways, which he said undermines the country’s reputation within the international trading community.
According to him, the NCJTF-LCA was formed to address these systemic challenges, promote compliance, and reduce corruption across the maritime logistics chain.
He stressed that the taskforce requires strong institutional and media partnerships to achieve its objectives.
Nwolisa urged MARAN to intensify its reportage on malpractice and policy breaches in the port industry, saying constructive scrutiny remains vital to reform efforts.
He said collaboration between the taskforce and maritime journalists would support the push for a more transparent and efficient port system.
The NCJTF-LCA president thanked the association for receiving the delegation and reaffirmed his commitment to sustained engagement with MARAN.
