Maritime
Cargo clearing delay worsens as Nigerian Customs’ PAAR fails
LAGOS-Eight months into the introduction of Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) following the takeover of the Destination Inspection regime from the private service providers, importers say the regime has failed since they now face tougher clearing processes at the ports.
They say the introduction of PAAR, which superseded the Risk Assessment Report (RAR) formerly issued by service providers, has failed to ease the clearing bottlenecks experienced by importers.
According to them, the dwell time of cargo now averages 21 days as against minimum of 7-14 days in the last regime, causing increasing demurrage and storage charges. This, they say, has increased cost of doing business at the ports.
Lamenting the incessant querying of PAAR document by Customs officers, Emmanuel Nwabunwanne, a Lagos-based importer, says cargo clearing at the ports has become more difficult in recent times as it now takes an average of one to two weeks to get a final clearing document from Customs.
Nwabunwanne says Customs has failed to keep to the initial promise of transforming and fast-tracking cargo clearance at the ports.
BusinessDay findings reveal that importers see huge difficulties in obtaining PAAR, which is supposed to be issued before the arrival of the consignment. The importers say they sometimes spend an average of five to 14 days after the arrival of the cargo to obtain the document from Customs.
According to them, PAAR was initially designed to be the final cargo clearing document but has now been reduced to an advisory document which can be questioned or rejected by another Customs officer, thereby subjecting the importer to another fresh clearing process.
Boniface Aniebonam, an industry analyst, says non-compliance to the rule guiding PAAR by consignees is the major reason PAAR failed to alleviate the challenges confronting cargo clearance at the port, while dishonesty and under-declaration are the reasons PAAR is not adding value to the clearing process.
Reacting to this, Wale Adeniyi, national public relations officer, NCS, admits that PAAR has become an advisory document due to reoccurring errors from issuing officers.
He, however, also blames the failure on under-declaration of imports by consignees who aim to short-change government.
Another reason PAAR has failed, Adeniyi says, is lack of technical know-how on the part of some officers. He adds that an importer has the right to appeal for adjustment if the cargo is overvalued and an officer also has the right to query PAAR after carrying out physical examination of the cargo.
Manufacturers in Nigeria have also continued to pick holes at the level of capacity gaps existing in the implementation of PAAR. They say this has continued to stall delivery of raw materials to various factories, thereby disrupting production timelines.
“When imported raw materials get stuck at the ports, it results in a stock-out of raw materials, which means that the internal stock level of the manufacturers will decrease, resulting to low production levels,” says Rasheed Adegbero, immediate past acting director-general, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), in an interview.
Similarly, manufacturing exporters are worried that the scheme crimps export capacity of their products. According to them, constant delays emanating from the scheme often lead to loss of markets for their products, as customers often have to look for alternatives in other markets rather than continue to wait for made-in-Nigerian goods which take time to arrive.
They also add that the delays result in high demurrage and consequently high production cost, thus making it difficult for locally-made goods to compete effectively in the international market.
“At the end of the day, our operating costs rise owing to the demurrage. There have been cases where such delays resulted in shortage in supplies, which prompted our customers to look for alternatives. I will also emphasise that the tariffs have been high,” a manufacturing exporter, who prefers not to be named, tells BusinessDay.
Stakeholders also say the basic problem with the scheme is capacity gaps in the areas of infrastructure, information and communication technology (ICT) and human capacity, among others, insisting that such is an indication that the NCS is not yet on top of the situation.
“The issue is that the Customs are not on top of the situation. When you have PAAR and you do not have, maybe, infrastructure, human capacity or ICT, it means there are capacity gaps in the implementation process,” says Muda Yusuf, director-general, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), in an interview.
BUSINESSDAY-
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Navy have renewed their strategic partnership with the endorsement of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen maritime security, enhance safety and deepen coordinated enforcement across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
The MoU was signed at the Nigerian Navy Headquarters, Abuja, by the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, and the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas.
The renewed agreement marks a significant milestone in the longstanding relationship between both institutions and represents the first formal renewal of their partnership since the original MoU was signed in 2007.
The agreement provides a framework for enhanced collaboration in the promotion and maintenance of maritime security and the effective implementation of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and other relevant maritime laws and regulations within NIMASA’s mandate.
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Speaking at the signing ceremony, the NIMASA Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, commended the commitment of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to strengthening inter-agency collaboration as a key driver of maritime security and the development of Nigeria’s Blue Economy.
He said the renewed MoU would provide a stronger institutional framework for both organisations to discharge their respective statutory mandates while consolidating the gains already recorded in securing Nigeria’s maritime domain. This he said will enhance achieving the goals of President Bola Tinubu GCFR for the Blue Economy.
According to him, the agreement is also designed to address emerging maritime security challenges through improved coordination, information sharing and operational cooperation.
“As we renew this partnership today, I urge our respective teams to ensure that the spirit of this agreement translates into practical and measurable outcomes,” Dr Mobereola said.
Dr Mobereola also expressed appreciation to the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Nigerian Navy for their continued support and commitment to the renewal of the partnership.
In his remarks, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, described the signing as a milestone in the enduring relationship between the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA.
He noted that the renewed MoU contained important additions aimed at strengthening the response to the evolving nature of maritime security challenges.
One of the key provisions, he said, is the integration of the Deep Blue Project into the collaborative framework, providing a stronger basis for cooperation between the Nigerian Navy’s Maritime Guard Command and the project.
He also highlighted the introduction of a joint reporting protocol for communication and information sharing during operations, which he said would facilitate timely decision-making and a more coordinated response to maritime incidents.
Vice Admiral Abbas further welcomed provisions for greater institutional engagement, including an annual conference to enhance collaboration, review progress and address emerging challenges.
“Whether we like it or not, the water is where we get whatever we are getting—our revenue, everything and even the trade we engage in, in large percentages, is done through the water. So this institution has to be very strong,” he said.
The renewed MoU is expected to deepen operational cooperation between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy, particularly in maritime security, information sharing, coordinated responses to maritime incidents, enforcement of applicable maritime laws amongst others.
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to advancing regional maritime integration, cooperation and capacity development across Africa.
Mobereola made this known when he received the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Liberia in Lagos, Dapo Akinosun, at the Agency’s headquarters in Lagos.
The NIMASA DG described the meeting as a reflection of the longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship between Nigeria and Liberia, particularly within the maritime sector.
According to him, stronger collaboration among African nations remains critical to unlocking the continent’s maritime potential, strengthening the Blue Economy, and promoting sustainable regional growth of the continent.
On the significance of maritime cooperation, Mobereola said: “The time has come for African nations to upscale maritime collaboration. The partnership between Nigeria and Liberia will help us build capacity, strengthen regional cooperation, and create opportunities for African youths within the global maritime industry.
“We must collectively build maritime capacity beyond borders. Sea-time training and practical exposure will position Nigerian and African youths to compete effectively in the international maritime space.”
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He also appreciated the Liberian Government for supporting Nigeria’s successful bid for the Category C seat of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), noting that both countries have sustained productive maritime relations over the years.
In his address, Akinosun stated that the visit was aimed at reinforcing the enduring relationship between Nigeria and Liberia while promoting stronger maritime cooperation between both countries.
The Envoy described the maritime sector as a key driver of economic growth, regional integration, and Blue Economy development, while commending the management of NIMASA for efforts towards repositioning Nigeria’s maritime industry for sustainable growth and investment.
“Nigeria has demonstrated genuine commitment to maritime partnership and regional growth. Liberia looks forward to deeper collaboration with NIMASA in maritime administration, safety, capacity development, and trade promotion for the advancement of Africa’s Blue Economy,” Akinosun said.
Modupe Asudo
Sahara Group, a leading global energy and infrastructure conglomerate, has commissioned MT Asharami Ghana, a 40,000‑cubic‑metre Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) carrier, expanding its fleet capacity, while strengthening Ghana’s clean energy supply chain and LPG distribution network.
The dual‑fuel vessel improves operational efficiency, enhances supply reliability, and supports lower‑emission LPG logistics as consumption grows across Ghana and the wider sub‑region.
Ghanaian President Mahama and Sahara Executive Directors
Speaking at the commissioning in Ulsan, South Korea, President John Dramani Mahama described the vessel as “a significant milestone in strengthening the infrastructure that underpins the global LPG supply chain,” noting that expanded shipping capacity is critical to improving supply security, reliability and efficiency for countries that rely partly on LPG imports.
He commended Sahara Group, WAGL Energy and all partners involved for their “leadership, technical expertise and strategic foresight,” adding that the project reflects “the power of partnership” in advancing safe, efficient, and responsible energy distribution.
President Mahama wished the MT Asharami Ghana safe sails, expressing confidence that the vessel would inspire further investment and collaboration across Africa’s energy value chain.
According to Wale Ajibade, Executive Director, Sahara Group, the vessel supports Ghana’s clean energy ambitions through integrated infrastructure.
“MT Asharami Ghana is more than a vessel; it is part of a deliberate strategy to strengthen LPG supply security and support Ghana’s clean energy ambitions. It secures an additional 25,000-Metric-tonne stock security for the Ghana economy, alongside the soon to be commissioned 6000-metric-tonee of 12.000-metric-tonne land storage in Tema,” he said.
With the addition of Asharami Ghana, Sahara Group’s LPG carrier fleet now comprises six delivered vessels with a combined capacity of 202,000 cubic metres. Supported by partnerships with WAGL Energy, NNPC Limited and other stakeholders, an additional 270,000 cubic metres of capacity is under construction and due for delivery by September 2028.
Temitope Shonubi, Executive Director, Sahara Group, said Asharami Ghana is part of Sahara’s integrated LPG infrastructure strategy spanning shipping, storage, and downstream distribution globally, including the development of a 12,000‑metric‑tonne land‑based LPG storage terminal in Tema, with a 6,000‑metric‑tonne first phase scheduled for completion in May 2026.
He thanked Yaa Serwaa Alifo, MD of Asharami Ghana, for her resilience and insistence to dedicate a ship of “this magnitude solely to the Ghana Market and its landlocked neighbours.”
Ghana is targeting LPG adoption of 50 per cent of households by 2030, up from about 30 per cent today. Sahara’s investments will support clean energy access for more than 35 million people, while strengthening Ghana’s role in regional LPG trade to neighbouring and landlocked West African markets.
The commissioning comes in Sahara Group’s 30th anniversary year, guided by the Sahara Beyond XXX milestone, underscoring Sahara’s focus on building an enduring enterprise that delivers responsible growth, shared prosperity and long‑term impact across its markets.
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