New compliance task force berths to deepen fair trade in maritime

A new force for accountability has emerged in Nigeria’s maritime sector with the inauguration of the National Compliance Joint Taskforce of Licensed Clearing Agents (NCJTFLCA). Launched in Lagos, the advocacy group sets a bold agenda to enforce compliance, eliminate corruption, and uphold ethical standards in the clearing and forwarding industry. Comprising experienced maritime practitioners, logistics experts, and trade leaders, NCJTFLCA is positioning itself as a watchdog committed to strictly following regulatory guidelines.

The group’s objectives include curbing smuggling, exposing fraudulent activities, and holding government officials accountable for unethical practices. With a firm stance against economic sabotage, it aims to restore credibility and efficiency to port operations. Speaking at the launch, the NCJTFLCA President, Dr Basil Nwolisa, explained that the task force is not a political movement but a legitimate pressure group advocating for fair trade.



He underscored the need to challenge exploitative practices such as double taxation by shipping companies and terminal operators, who charge both demurrage and rent on the same container. “Our main objective is to address the endemic corruption that has plagued our nation, particularly in the clearing and forwarding industry. We want to ensure that the rules and regulations governing our industry are adhered to and that the rights of importers and exporters are protected.

Also speaking, the President General of the Association of Progressive Traders (APT), Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, Eric Ilechukwu, praised the initiative, emphasising that professionalism and voluntary compliance are crucial to fostering a transparent trade environment. He encouraged industry players to embrace ethical business practices, noting that this milestone represents a significant step forward in the collective pursuit of excellence, transparency and accountability within the industry. Also speaking, the founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Boniface Aniebonam, commended the task force for taking a stand.

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