Maritime Stakeholders Unite Against Corruption at CONMMEP Roundtable

Maritime Stakeholders Unite Against Corruption at CONMMEP Roundtable

LAGOS — The Congress of Nigerian Maritime Media Practitioners (CONMMEP) has launched its monthly stakeholder roundtable sessions with a resounding call to combat corruption and inefficiencies crippling the nation's maritime sector.

At the inaugural edition of the forum held in Lagos, a prominent maritime practitioner and President of the National Compliance Joint Taskforce of Licensed Clearing Agents (NCJTFLCA), High Chief Dr. Basil Chudi Nwolisa, delivered a stirring keynote address that squarely addressed the challenges facing the industry.

Dr. Nwolisa described Nigeria’s maritime sector as a “crime scene,” overwhelmed by entrenched corruption that inflates the cost of goods and services while threatening national progress. “Corruption in the freight forwarding and logistics chain has become a systemic threat. If we do not confront it now, we risk leaving a legacy of despair for the next generation,” he warned.

He emphasized the need for urgent reform, stressing that only transparency, accountability, and collective action can reverse the damage caused by years of unchecked malpractice.

CONMMEP President, Comrade Udo Onyeka, expressed strong alignment with Dr. Nwolisa’s position, pledging the media congress’s support in the fight against corruption. “We in the maritime media have a duty to expose malpractices and support reforms. We will work with patriotic stakeholders to cleanse the system and restore integrity,” Onyeka stated.

The event brought together key players from across the maritime value chain, fostering dialogue on how best to instill compliance, reduce operational bottlenecks, and promote ethical conduct. Participants echoed a shared vision of a reformed, efficient, and globally competitive maritime sector.

The roundtable concluded with a renewed commitment by all present to forge lasting partnerships aimed at eliminating corruption and enhancing regulatory compliance. Stakeholders agreed that sustainable economic development in Nigeria is intricately linked to the integrity and functionality of its maritime industry.

As the CONMMEP Roundtable Series continues monthly, expectations are high that such platforms will serve as catalysts for long-overdue reforms and reposition the sector as a cornerstone of national prosperity.