Over 200 Freight Forwarders Dead Due To Port Corruption, Says NCJTFLCA President
- Over 200 Freight Forwarders Dead Due To Port Corruption, Says NCJTFLCA President
High Chief,Dr.Basil Nwolisa, president NJCTFLCA
By Frank Odinukaeze
The President of the National Compliance Joint Task Force of Licensed Customs Agents (NCJTFLCA), Dr. Basil Nwolisa, has raised alarm over the deteriorating conditions at Nigeria’s ports, claiming that over 200 freight forwarders have allegedly lost their lives due to severe stress and frustration triggered by rampant corruption and systemic inefficiencies.
In an exclusive interview with the NAGAFF CARGO WATCH crew at his Lagos office, Dr. Nwolisa condemned the continued sabotage of port reforms and automation systems by corrupt actors. He attributed the tragic deaths of freight forwarders to the persistent exploitation and psychological toll endured by industry professionals navigating a deeply flawed system.
“These are not natural deaths. These are avoidable tragedies caused by a system that grinds people down every single day,” Dr. Nwolisa said. “The corruption and deliberate sabotage at our ports are killing our people — literally.”
He specifically cited the failed implementation of the “two-color” traffic control system initiated by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), which he claimed has been hijacked by criminal elements. These actors reportedly extort as much as ₦150,000 from truck operators just to gain port access, undermining the system’s original intent to ease traffic and streamline operations.
Dr. Nwolisa, who also serves as President of the Association of Nigerian Customs Brokers, stated that reforms meant to modernize Nigeria’s port and customs operations are consistently undermined by individuals benefiting from the entrenched corruption. He recounted multiple instances where licensed agents and truck drivers, despite adhering to regulatory guidelines, were still forced to make illegal payments or suffer unjustified delays.
The NCJTFLCA president also criticized the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Nigeria Customs Service, accusing it of straying from its core mandate of combating smuggling at border areas. Instead, he alleged, the unit now focuses on seizing containers far from the borders without penalizing complicit customs officials.
“If Customs and the Nigerian Ports Authority do not urgently embrace transparency and accountability, the freight forwarding sector will continue to suffer. More lives will be lost, and our economy will bear the brunt,” Dr. Nwolisa warned.
He called for immediate and genuine reforms, urging the government and relevant authorities to clean up port operations and protect the lives and livelihoods of freight forwarders across the country.
The NCJTFLCA’s latest revelations have sparked renewed calls for accountability and systemic overhaul within Nigeria’s port and customs sectors.
