Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The National Compliance Joint Taskforce of Licensed Clearing Agents (NCJTF-LCA) has called for stronger collaboration with the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) to confront the growing wave of non-compliance, extortion, and operational bottlenecks affecting Nigeria’s port system and international trade reputation.
Speaking during a working visit to MARAN’s headquarters on Wharf Road, Apapa, Lagos, on Thursday, 20th November 2025, the National President of NCJTF-LCA, High Chief Dr. Basil Chudi Nwolisa, said the country’s maritime environment is being “embarrassed before the international community” due to persistent human-induced infractions.
Nwolisa, who was received by MARAN President and members of the executive committee, highlighted the purpose of the visit as both an engagement and an invitation to the Third Anniversary Celebration of NCJTF-LCA scheduled for Wednesday, 10th December 2025, at Rockview Hotel, Festac Town.
The event, he said, will feature a birthday celebration in his honour, a fundraising ceremony, and the inauguration of the taskforce’s newly formed chapters nationwide.
The NCJTF President lamented that numerous man-made challenges continue to frustrate port operations, listing key concerns such as:
• Widespread non-compliance with laid-down procedures, including the ALERT system
• Delays and extortion affecting licensed Customs clearing agents
• Deliberate refusal of shipping companies to release container deposit refunds
• Persistent arrests and seizures by FOU units despite proper examination and release by Customs
• Obstruction and delays by terminal operators
• Increased extortion of truckers on highways
“These issues have become an embarrassment to our country before the international trade community,” he stressed.
Nwolisa said the National Compliance Joint Taskforce was formed to help Nigeria combat entrenched corruption across the maritime sector and on the highways. However, he noted that the initiative requires the support of informed stakeholders, especially the maritime press.
“We cannot achieve this goal alone,” he told MARAN members. “We invite the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria to collaborate with us to ensure the success of this noble project. Your cooperation, collaboration, and consultation will be highly appreciated.”
He thanked MARAN for the warm reception and affirmed the taskforce’s commitment to sustained engagement with the media.