December 2025 - Page 6 of 23

All Posts in "Month: December 2025"

‘Embrace Christ’s virtues’ – PDP tells Nigerians

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Tanimu Turaki, has urged Nigerians to embrace love, sacrifice and humility during the Christmas celebration.

Turaki, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, extended warm felicitations to Christian members of the party and the wider Nigerian Christian community.

He said the values exemplified by Jesus Christ were “timeless principles” capable of transforming Nigeria’s national life and stimulating economic prosperity.

According to him, Christmas remains a reminder of collective resilience and shared responsibility in building a stronger and more united nation.

“These are not merely seasonal virtues but timeless principles that can transform our country and usher in economic prosperity,” Turaki said.

He assured Nigerians of the party’s commitment to promoting such values in politics, saying they held the key to the nation’s collective aspirations.

Reflecting on current socio-economic challenges, Turaki urged citizens to remain hopeful, noting that determined people often emerge stronger from adversity.

He prayed for peace and prosperity in Nigerian homes, expressing optimism for a new year filled with “God’s abundant blessings.”

by admin — December 25, 2025 in News 0

Anger as many Nigerians spend Christmas in darkness

Many Nigerians across the country are celebrating this year’s Christmas in darkness following a nationwide drop in power supply.

The Nigerian Independent System Operator, NISO, which oversees the national grid, had earlier blamed the explosion that occurred at the Escravos-Lagos Gas Pipeline in Delta State, owned by the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, for the drop in power supply nationwide.

In an update on Wednesday night, NISO noted that the power supply would return to normalcy ‘soon’ as the gas pipeline repair work by NGPTC is ‘near completion’.

However, DAILY POST reports that the power outage has persisted for the majority of Nigerians on Christmas Day.

The situation further worsened the persistent challenge in the country’s power sector despite its privatization in November 2013.

Data released by NISO on Wednesday showed that the eleven electricity distribution companies in Nigeria received 3,272 megawatts of electricity from the National Grid for onward distribution to over 250 million Nigerians.

This means Discos resort to load shedding and outright outages in parts of their area of coverage.

DAILY POST reports that Nigeria’s available electricity supply capacity has remained stagnated around 3000 to 5000 megawatts in the past 12 years.

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, had in 2024 promised that the country would achieve a target of 6000MW of electricity by the end of December 2025.

Speaking on the development in an interview, the National President of the Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, Kunle Olubiyo, said the Nigerian government cannot build something on nothing.

“You can’t build something on nothing.

“If you don’t get it right with the process and systems, the fallout is what we are expressing.

by admin — December 25, 2025 in News 0

Sokoto unveil security plan to end banditry

Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu, has announced a renewed security strategy aimed at decisively ending banditry across the state.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring peace and ensuring that residents can go about their daily lives without fear.

The governor made the disclosure on Wednesday while declaring open the 17th regular meeting of the Sokoto State Executive Council, which also marked the council’s final session for 2025.

He used the occasion to outline new measures being introduced to strengthen security operations in the state.

Banditry remains one of Sokoto’s most pressing challenges, particularly in rural areas, where repeated attacks have led to loss of lives, displacement of communities, cattle rustling, kidnappings, and disruption of farming and other economic activities.

Aliyu explained that the fresh measures are designed to complement ongoing security efforts, with a strong emphasis on enhanced intelligence gathering and improved coordination among security agencies.

He noted that existing strategies were already yielding positive results.

According to the governor, his administration has consistently supported security agencies since assuming office by providing logistics, operational backing, and other critical resources to formations operating in the 13 local government areas most affected by banditry.

“Intelligence is key to checkmating criminal elements, and we are confident that these new initiatives will further strengthen our ability to tackle banditry head-on,” he said.

He stressed that security is a shared responsibility and called on residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information to help prevent attacks and dismantle criminal networks.

“As a government, we are ready to do all it takes to ensure that banditry becomes history in Sokoto State, but we cannot do it alone,” he added.

Aliyu also commended members of the State Executive Council for their unity and dedication, attributing the progress recorded so far to teamwork and collective responsibility.

He thanked the people of Sokoto State for their patience, prayers, and continued support, assuring them of his administration’s resolve to deliver more dividends of democracy.

by admin — December 25, 2025 in News 0

House begins tax law probe, Ndume pushes for suspension

The House of Representatives Committee investigating alleged discrepancies in Nigeria’s gazetted tax laws has pledged to submit its report as soon as its work is concluded.

The Chairman of the Committee, Muktar Betara, gave the assurance on Wednesday following the inaugural meeting of the panel, which was held in Abuja on Tuesday.

Betara chairs the seven-member committee constituted by the House after the adoption of a matter of privilege raised two weeks ago by a lawmaker from Sokoto State, Abdussamad Dasuki.

Dasuki had drawn the attention of the Green Chamber to what he described as troubling inconsistencies between tax laws passed by the National Assembly and versions subsequently gazetted and circulated, including copies within government offices

He alleged that some provisions in the gazetted laws differed materially from what lawmakers approved, arguing that any such alterations, if established, would amount to a breach of legislative procedure and the rule of law.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the committee’s media unit, Betara said members were united in their resolve to complete the assignment without delay.

“The committee has resolved to conclude its assignment and submit its report to the House within the shortest possible time. At the meeting, members resolved to conclude the investigation and report back to the House within the shortest time for legislative integrity, due process, and public confidence,” the statement quoted Betara as saying.

Reaffirming the panel’s commitment to openness and diligence, the chairman assured that its findings and recommendations would be laid before the House immediately after the investigation is concluded.

The probe comes against the backdrop of heightened public and institutional scrutiny of Nigeria’s tax laws, particularly those amended or introduced through recent Finance Acts.

Over the years, successive Finance Acts have been used to amend multiple tax statutes, including the Companies Income Tax Act, Value Added Tax Act, Customs and Excise Tariff laws, and other fiscal legislation, as part of efforts to reform revenue administration and align tax policy with economic realities.

Lawmakers say the alleged alterations raise concerns about the integrity of the legislative process, the authenticity of laws being implemented by executive agencies, and the potential legal and financial consequences for taxpayers who rely on officially gazetted statutes.

The House has stressed that only laws duly passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President can have legal force, and that any post-passage changes outside this process would undermine constitutional governance.

The committee’s findings are expected to clarify whether discrepancies exist, how they occurred, and who may be responsible, as well as recommend measures to safeguard the sanctity of future legislative enactments.

Meanwhile, former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the disputed Tax Reform Acts, scheduled to take effect in January, amid growing controversy over their passage.

Ndume made the call in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, following claims and counterclaims over alleged alterations to the tax laws after their passage by the National Assembly.

The appeal comes amid protests by opposition politicians and civil society organisations, including the Nigerian Bar Association, which have demanded that the Federal Government halt the implementation of the laws.

Reacting, Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, urged President Tinubu to set up an ad hoc committee to verify the authenticity of the laws and investigate the alleged alterations.

The former Senate Chief Whip warned that implementing the laws without resolving the allegations would create legitimacy challenges and undermine public trust.

He said, “With the controversy surrounding it, the President should constitute a team to verify the veracity of the claim and act accordingly. As a responsive leader that he has always been, he should look into it to find out whether the claim of alterations was genuine so that he will do the needful to bring the controversy to rest.

“If not, the controversy will continue. That is to say, the tax law will not be implemented, because you can’t build on nothing. So, Mr. President should suspend the implementation until the issues are resolved because so many civil society organisations, the Arewa Community, the Nigerian Bar Association, are saying that he should withdraw the Tax Law and investigate the allegation of forgery. Therefore, Mr. President should get to the root of the allegation of forgery. The small committee that will be set up should look into it while the House of Representatives does its own.”

On Tuesday, the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), warned that the controversies surrounding the tax laws threaten the integrity and credibility of Nigeria’s legislative process. Osigwe said the issues strike at the core of constitutional governance and called for an open and transparent investigation to restore public confidence.

The controversy was further fuelled last week when Dasuki alleged that the version of the tax laws gazetted by the Federal Government differed from the final copy passed by the National Assembly and forwarded to the President for assent.

by admin — December 25, 2025 in News 0

Christmas: CAN urges security consciousness, Kukah decries killings

The Christian Association of Nigeria has called on churches across the country to mark the Christmas season with hope, wisdom, and heightened security consciousness amid Nigeria’s lingering economic and security challenges.

This was as the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, decries killings and violence against children in the country.

In a Christmas message issued on Wednesday and signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN urged churches, particularly those in conflict-prone areas, to take practical steps to ensure the safety of worshippers.

“As we mark the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, I warmly extend Christmas greetings to Christians across Nigeria and to all people of goodwill,” Okoh said.

He encouraged Christian leaders and congregations to exercise vigilance and a deep sense of responsibility during worship, stressing that “the protection of human life is sacred and must remain paramount.”

Churches in areas with inadequate security presence were advised to consider holding services in safer locations or organising smaller gatherings that can be better protected.

“This counsel is offered in love and care, not in fear, as we are called to be wise stewards of the lives God has entrusted to us,” Okoh said.

In December 2023, gunmen killed over 140 Plateau State villagers in a Christmas Even attack.

Okoh, on Wednesday, appealed to security agencies to step up their presence around churches and other places of worship during the Christmas period, encouraging closer collaboration between religious bodies and law enforcement authorities to ensure peaceful celebrations.

He noted that the birth of Jesus Christ remains a reminder of God’s abiding love and the triumph of light over darkness, urging Christians to live out core values such as love, peace, patience, sacrifice, and compassion.

“Even in the face of economic difficulties and security concerns confronting our nation, the birth of Christ reassures us that God has not abandoned His people and that hope remains alive,” Okoh said.

The CAN president also called on Nigerians to remember those grieving, displaced, or affected by violence and hardship across the country, urging citizens to renew their commitment to peace, justice, and unity.

“United by our shared humanity and common destiny, we must renew our commitment to peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and national cohesion, mindful that Nigeria is our only home,” he added.

Okoh concluded by praying for renewed faith, healing, and lasting peace for Nigeria in the coming year, wishing Christians and all Nigerians a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

In his own Christmas message, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Kukah, delivered a sobering verdict on Nigeria’s state of affairs, describing the country as a “theatre of death” where violence, poverty, and moral collapse overshadow the joy of the season.

In his 2025 Christmas message titled “Joy and Hope in a Time of Tribulation,” Kukah said Nigeria’s persistent insecurity has turned the festive season into a period of anxiety, grief, and national reflection.

“Nigeria is stuck in a valley of violence and sorrow,” the bishop said, warning that citizens are being pushed to the brink by killings, kidnappings, and widespread fear.

Kukah accused the political elite of deepening the crisis through greed and selfish governance, insisting that scarcity is artificial.

“We may not have enough to feed the greed of our elite, but there is enough to feed our people,” he said, calling on leaders to urgently address hunger, inequality, and insecurity.

The bishop placed children at the centre of his message, lamenting the “ongoing crucifixion of innocence” in Nigeria, where schoolchildren have become easy targets for criminals. He recalled the abductions of the Chibok and Dapchi girls, as well as more recent cases in Maga and Papiri, noting that nearly 2,000 Nigerian children have suffered kidnapping, abuse, and exploitation.

“Our children are paying the highest price for our failures as a nation,” he said, warning that insecurity, early marriage, slavery, and sexual abuse are destroying Nigeria’s future.

Kukah stressed that the perpetrators of violence are products of systemic neglect, poverty, and miseducation, noting that northern Nigeria has become an epicentre of bloodshed due to high levels of illiteracy, disease, and unemployment. “We must either renovate, educate, or perish,” he said.

Rejecting calls for violent retaliation, Kukah urged Nigerians, especially Christians, to maintain moral restraint. “Violence cannot defeat violence,” he said, insisting that faith, prayer, and ethical leadership remain the most powerful tools against evil. He reminded believers that Christianity was born during persecution and has survived empires without resorting to arms.

Despite the grim assessment, Kukah expressed cautious hope, noting that Nigerians continue to mourn and endure together across religious and ethnic lines. He welcomed the safe return of abducted children, praising government and community efforts, while warning that the country cannot afford “one ordeal too many.”

He concluded by urging Nigerians not to reduce Christmas to mere festivity but to embrace it as a call to rebuild the nation through peace, justice, and reconciliation.

“Christmas is a vocation. Our duty is to make Christ visible through our lives. As Nigeria marks Christmas under the shadow of insecurity, this message stands as both an indictment of failed leadership and a call for national rebirth,” Kukah said.

by admin — December 25, 2025 in News 0

Solar systems save NIPCO N44.4m annually, says JMG

JMG Limited, a hybrid and integrated electromechanical energy provider, says it has successfully installed solar power systems at three major NIPCO Plc fuelling stations, delivering dependable clean energy, eliminating diesel reliance, and unlocking over N44m in annual energy cost savings.

According to a statement by JMG, the installations, located in Abuja and Lagos Lekki, feature advanced hybrid systems that combine solar arrays, lithium battery storage, and smart inverters to provide 24/7 power for fuel pumps, lighting, and office operations, saying each site has reported zero use of electricity or generator power since the systems were installed.

“We are proud to help NIPCO lead the energy transition at the retail level. The three NIPCO stations now run on an advanced hybrid solar system that combines high‑efficiency PV panels, intelligent lithium‑battery storage and smart inverters. Since commissioning, the sites have operated with zero grid or generator power, providing silent, clean, uninterrupted electricity for pumps, lighting and administration,” said the Head of JMG’s Hybrid Solar Division, Abbass Hussein.

Hussein added that this development demonstrates that fuel‑retail and other high‑energy sectors can shift to clean, cost-effective and resilient energy without sacrificing performance.

“The scalable architecture can be sized to each location and has already delivered significant savings: about 88,535 kWh/year, N44.4m in annual cost savings and a 43.8‑tonne reduction in CO₂ emissions. Collaborating with NIPCO on this initiative demonstrates a practical pathway for other firms to reduce both emissions and energy expenses,” he said.

Completed between May and June 2025, the project, it was said, incorporates high-efficiency solar panels, premium hybrid inverters, and scalable lithium battery banks designed to provide stable and uninterrupted power for fuel dispensing, LPG systems, lighting, and office operations.

According to Mr Idoko Jacob, who is NIPCO’s Station Manager at Gwagwalada, “The stations have not relied on electricity or generator power on bright-weather days since commissioning. The solar systems fully meet our daily energy needs during such periods. On days with poor weather, we supplement the solar system with generator power to ensure uninterrupted operations.”

The solar systems across the three stations in Gwagwalada, Mpape and Lekki have delivered substantial benefits, generating a total of 88,535 kWh per year, saving N44.4m annually, avoiding 43.8 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, and covering 80–100 per cent of daily energy demand with hybrid solar systems backed by lithium batteries.

“These systems allow NIPCO stations to operate independently of the grid for most of the day, with batteries absorbing excess solar production and smart inverters managing seamless transitions. Generator use has been reduced to near zero, only occasionally supporting loads during extended cloudy weather,” the report added.

by admin — December 25, 2025 in Business 0

NNPC, 12 others fail ICPC integrity test

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and 12 other ministries, departments, and agencies of the Federal Government recorded zero in the Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

According to a publication by the ICPC on Wednesday, of the 357 MDAs screened, the NNPC ranks last, scoring zero across all four key pillar indicators.

However, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission was the highest-rated agency, scoring 91.83. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission was 278 on the list with a score of 38.25.

According to the ICPC, the Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard was conceived as a diagnostic and accountability tool to strengthen transparency, ethical conduct, and institutional resilience within Nigeria’s public sector.

The scorecard, it said, has evolved into a vital benchmark for measuring compliance across four key pillar indicators of Management Culture and Structure, Financial Management Systems, Administrative Systems, and the Anti-corruption and Transparency Unit, which collectively capture the critical dimensions of ethics and governance within the public service.

For the 2025 assessment year, it was said that the EICS was deployed across 360 target MDAs of the Federal Government. Out of this number, three MDAs were exempted from the exercise, leaving a total of 357 MDAs effectively assessed.

Earlier, while presenting the scorecard on Tuesday, the ICPC Chairman, Dr Aliyu Musa, who was represented by the Director of the Systems Study and Review Department, Mr Olusegun Adigun, said the assessment exposed widespread weaknesses in ethical standards and institutional integrity across government agencies.

According to him, of the MDAs assessed, only 48 (13.95 per cent) recorded substantial compliance, 132 MDAs (38.37 per cent) achieved partial compliance, while 141 MDAs (40.99 per cent) showed poor compliance. 23 MDAs (6.69 per cent) were classified as non-compliant.

“No MDA achieved full compliance,” Adigun said, adding that 13 MDAs out of the 357 deployed for assessment were non-responsive and consequently classified as high-risk institutions.

The Wednesday advertorial showed that the NNPC tops the list of those 13 MDAs classified as high-risk.

Others are the Institute of Archaeology and Museum Studies, Jos; the Federal Civil Service Commission, Abuja; the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Abuja; the Federal Medical Centre, Hong, Adamawa State; the University of Calabar; the Cross River Basin Development Authority, Calabar; and the Federal College of Education, Obudu, Cross River.

It further listed the Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Benue; the National Metallurgical Development Centre, Jos, Plateau State; the National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State; the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Ilorin, Kwara State; and the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State.

The top-compliant MDAs are NUPRC, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Commission, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, the Bank of Industry, and others.

The ICPC stated that it will continue administering EICS to MDAs. It also threatened to profile MDAs with consistently low scores of non-compliance.

“This is to ensure and encourage MDAs’ compliance with government statutes, policies, and directives to promote integrity, accountability, efficiency, and productivity in government business. However, MDAs with consistently low scores of non-compliance and no responsive status will be subjected to profiling through system studies and appropriate enforcement actions,” the ICPC stated.

The NNPC spokesman, Andy Odeh, could not be reached as of the time of filing this report. Odeh did not answer calls to his phone, nor did he reply to messages sent to him.

by admin — December 25, 2025 in Business 0

Fidelity Bank donates to Ikoyi fire service station

Fidelity Bank Plc has donated essential firefighting and preventive equipment, including hoses and gasoline water pumps, to the Ikoyi Fire Service Station in Lagos.

In a statement on Monday, it was revealed that the donation was made under the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme by the True Serve team, reaffirming the bank’s commitment to the environment and community safety.

Through the FHHP, members of staff identify areas of critical community needs, raise funds, and then receive matching monetary support from the bank to execute the projects.

Commenting on the reason behind the donation, Divisional Head, Brand and Communications Division, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr Meksley Nwagboh, emphasised that the donation reflected the bank’s dedication to strengthening emergency response capabilities and promoting public safety within the communities it serves.

“Fidelity Bank remains committed to supporting initiatives that contribute to the protection of our environment, lives and property. We see community safety as a shared responsibility and continuously extend support to both corporate bodies and individuals.

“We believe that preventive measures are far more effective than reactionary responses. This donation is part of our efforts to drive sustainable practices by providing the necessary tools. Our goal is to ensure that people live meaningful, safe, and empowered lives,” he said.

In her comments, Lagos State Controller, Federal Fire Service and Controller of Fire, Funke Adebayo, commended Fidelity Bank for the timely support, while cautioning residents to exercise heightened vigilance during the festive period, especially with the dry weather conditions.

“We appreciate Fidelity Bank for this timely donation. We are in a harsh weather period where fire incidents can escalate quickly. Parents must educate and caution children against the use of fireworks during celebrations. Fire should never be treated carelessly,” Adebayo said.

She noted that the Fire Service has embarked on sensitisation visits to various corporate organisations, warning against unsafe practices that could lead to preventable fire outbreaks.

On his part, Area Commander of the Onikan Fire Station and Chief Superintendent of Fire, Michael Oswere, expressed appreciation to Fidelity Bank for supporting their operations. He encouraged families, business owners, and community members to prioritise fire safety at all times.

“Everyone has a role to play in preventing fire incidents at home and in the workplace. This support from Fidelity Bank will go a long way in enhancing our capacity to protect the community,” CSF Oswere added.

Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged commercial deposit money bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

by admin — December 25, 2025 in Business 0

Crude oil price rises on US data, geopolitical tension

Oil rises for sixth session on US data, geopolitical tension Crude Oil oil prices rose for a sixth day on Wednesday, supported by robust U.S. economic growth and the risk of supply disruptions from Venezuela and Russia, though prices were on course for their steepest annual decline since 2020.

Brent crude futures were up 13 cents, or 0.2%, to $62.51 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up 22 cents, or 0.4%, at $58.60. Both contracts have gained about 6% since December 16, when they plunged to near five-year lows.

“What we’ve seen over the past week is a combination of position squaring in thin markets, after last week’s breakdown failed to gain traction, coupled with heightened geopolitical tensions, including the U.S. blockade on Venezuela and supported by last night’s robust GDP data,” IG analyst Tony Sycamore said.

U. S. data showed the world’s largest economy grew at its fastest pace in two years in the third quarter, fueled by robust consumer spending and a sharp rebound in exports.

Still, Brent and WTI prices are on track to drop about 16% and 18%, respectively, this year – their steepest declines since 2020 when the COVID pandemic hit oil demand – as supply is expected to outpace demand next year.

On the supply side, disruptions to Venezuelan exports have been the most significant factor pushing up oil prices, while Russia’s and Ukraine’s continued attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure have also supported the market, Haitong Futures said in a report.

More than a dozen loaded vessels are in Venezuela waiting for new directions from their owners after the U.S. seized the supertanker Skipper earlier this month and targeted two additional vessels over the weekend.

Additionally, oil shipments from Kazakhstan via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium are set to drop by a third in December to the lowest since October 2024 after a Ukrainian drone attack damaged facilities at the main CPC export terminal, two market sources said on Wednesday.

U.S. crude inventories rose by 2.39 million barrels last week, while gasoline stocks increased by 1.09 million barrels and distillate inventories rose by 685,000 barrels, market sources said, citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday.

by admin — December 25, 2025 in Business 0

Customs moves to end physical cargo checks at Apapa port

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is edging closer to ending physical cargo examination at Apapa Port as preparations intensify for the full deployment of the FS6000 cargo scanner at APM Terminals, Lagos.

The move is move expected to significantly reshape cargo clearance at the country’s busiest maritime gateway.

The scanner, with a throughput capacity of about 200 containers per hour, has completed final test runs and simulation exercises, signalling readiness for operational rollout and a transition to non-intrusive, technology-driven inspections.

The development followed a working visit to the scanning site by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Oluyomi Adebakin, to assess pre-operational readiness and alignment with Customs’ trade modernisation agenda.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, in a statement, said the initiative was part of a broader strategy to migrate to a paperless clearance environment in line with international best practices and improved trade facilitation.

According to Sulaiman, the FS6000 scanner has successfully undergone all required simulations, marking a major milestone in Customs’ push to reduce manual intervention in cargo processing at Apapa Port.

Speaking during the inspection, Adebakin said the visit was aimed at ensuring a smooth transition to scanner-based examination. She described the deployment as “a critical step in modernising customs operations and improving efficiency at the nation’s busiest port.”

She disclosed that operational preparedness had reached about 80 per cent, noting that outstanding components required for full take-off were being addressed. Adebakin stressed that scanner deployment was a collective responsibility involving the Nigeria Customs Service, APM Terminals, and the Trade Modernisation Project.

Assuring port users of tangible business benefits, she said the scanner would deliver faster cargo clearance, reduced demurrage, improved compliance and enhanced ease of doing business across the port ecosystem.

“The FS6000 scanner has a throughput capacity of about 200 containers per hour,” Adebakin said, highlighting its suitability for high-volume port operations. She added that non-intrusive inspection would eliminate delays and cargo damage associated with physical examinations while also strengthening revenue protection.

On his part, the Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ICT-driven reforms and sustained stakeholder collaboration. He said the deployment underscored Customs’ resolve to modernise port operations, strengthen trade facilitation and improve transparency at Apapa Port.

For maritime operators, the imminent deployment signals a structural shift in cargo handling—one expected to decongest terminals, cut transaction costs and reposition Apapa Port for more competitive regional trade flows.

by admin — December 25, 2025 in News 0