MT NY MARIA: Issues in Regulatory Inefficiency, Operational Gaps and Synergy

Efforts at  Modernization by Agencies   Have  a Long Way to Go

 

Compt. Joseph Anani, CAC, Tin can

 

The incident at the Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, where a vessel was “found” discharging Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, at the MRS Jetty within the Tin Can port Complex has again amplified operational gaps among federal government agencies in the Nigerian Maritime industry.

 

How does a vessel set sail from the Dangote Refinery without proper documentation and clearance papers? Are there  officials of regulatory agency at the Dangote Refinery Jetty?

Following media report that the Captain of MT NY Maria was arrested by officers of the Command, Public Relations officer of the Command, Chief Superintendent of Customs, CSC, Oscar Ivara, issued a media statement clarifying that the captain of the vessel was not arrested by officers of the command.

 

According to the PR of the Command, “The Service wishes to state categorically that the ship master was not arrested at any point but was only invited to make statements as part of ongoing investigations”

 

From Saturday, May 23, 2026, when the vessel reportedly berthed at the MRS Jetty to Wednesday, 27 May 2026, when the vessel commenced discharging of her cargo, was there communication between the command and crew of the vessel?

 

Loading and offloading of a vessel (irrespective of type of cargo) is a process. A vessel is not a car; even a truck takes time to load and offload. Was there pre arrival notice of the vessel to the Command?

 

If Vessels have been calling at the command with cargo, what is the established protocol for vessels arrival and departure?

 

The Customs PRO of the Tin Can Command stated that  “On Saturday, 23 May 2026, officers of the Boarding and Rummaging Unit boarded the vessel upon its arrival from the Dangote Refinery to conduct routine documentation and compliance procedures in line with the provisions of the NCS Act, 2023. During the exercise, it was discovered that the vessel lacked complete documentation, particularly the mandatory Last Port Clearance required from the port of origin. In line with established procedures, officers granted the vessel’s agent a two-day period to provide the outstanding document while the vessel was lawfully sealed and placed under Customs control pending compliance”

 

Are there officials of the regulatory agencies at the Dangote Refinery? How possible is it for a vessel to load cargo and sail without Last Port Clearance Documents?  Are these issues of operational inefficiencies, inadequate monitoring and or outright absence of supervision?

 

For many years, nothing close to this case of NY Maria has been heard of at Tin Can or any jetty within or outside Lagos. Is the NY Maria case a regular occurrence or a one off incident?

Customs Area Controllers have come and gone. Coming at a time when Comptroller Joseph Anani, who got transferred to the Tin Can Island Command from the Ports and Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML), is just assuming duty, is  the NY Maria incident a case of operational rejig at Tin Can or exertion of authority, enforcement of discipline by the new sheriff at Tin Can?

 

Comptroller Joseph Anani is unequivocal that “The actions taken by officers of the NCS are fully supported by the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, particularly Sections 30 to 35 relating to Customs controls, inspections, examination of goods, verification of documentation, and enforcement within Customs Control Zones”

 

He insist that “The discharge of PMS by MT NY Maria without requisite clearance and while under Customs seal constituted a direct violation of Sections 46 to 58 of the Act relating to reporting obligations, goods declaration, presentation of goods, unloading procedures, and release of goods under Customs control”

Contacted, officer Oscar Ivara, clarified that officers of the Commanded acted professionally within provisions of the Customs Act 2023. He also told Maritime Nigeria that collaboration between Customs and other agencies is regularly being reinforced as communications channels remain open always.

“Customs has its operational template guiding everything we do so there is no vacuum at any time. All Customs officers involved in the incident have been thoroughly interrogated as investigations into the incident continues to avoid a recurrence within Customs Commands” Ivara said

Asked if the  development was a show of force by Customs or a fall out of ongoing modernization efforts by the Service, the PR officer clarified “It was not a show of force at all. Our enforcement officers are very professional and thorough in their duties. Nobody wants modernization more than Customs officers as it will enhance our operations and services to country and citizens, the Tin Can PRO said.

From whichever angle you look at it, the MT NY MARIA incident at Tin Can glaringly amplifies issues in regulatory inefficiency, operational gaps and lack  of synergy among regulatory agencies in the maritime industry which must be addressed urgently if Nigeria is to become the regional shipment transit hub we seek.