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Tag: Dakuku Peterside

  • NIMASA debunks advert on employment

    NIMASA debunks advert on employment

    The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) says it has not launched a recruitment campaign of any kind now.

    The Head, Corporate Communication Team of NIMASA, Mr Isichei Osamgbi, disclosed this to newsmen in Lagos on Sunday.

    Osamgbi said, “The attention of NIMASA has been drawn to the misinformation making the round in media, particularly online platforms, that there is an ongoing recruitment exercise in the agency’’.

    He said the agency was not associated with any of the adverts being peddled on various social media platforms to defraud unsuspecting citizens seeking legitimate employment in the organization in a statement.

    “This clarification is necessitated by the recruitment advert supposedly floated by the agency and circulated on various social media platforms with the intention of misleading and defrauding Nigerians.

    “The agency’s management under the leadership of Dr Dakuku Peterside will continue to operate within the tenets of its core values of commitment, accountability, discipline and transparency,’’ he said.

    Osamgbi said that NIMASA would keep to its core values in dealing with its stakeholders, including Nigerians, who might wish to contribute to the development of the country through employment in NIMASA.

    “The most common tactics of the scam involved: twitter and text messages, e-mails, as well as letters inviting desperate job seekers for fake job interviews at different locations across the country claiming to be consultants to NIMASA.

    “The agency has informed appropriate authorities about the activities of these unscrupulous elements who are going about peddling false information to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

    “We appeal to members of the public, particularly job seekers, to treat any of such adverts as fake, as the agency is currently not in the process of employing.

    “Anyone who entertains such invitation does so at his or her own risk.

    “For the umpteenth time, NIMASA as a responsible corporate citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has not commissioned or contracted any individual or group to engage in recruitment of anybody on its behalf.

    “At the appropriate time, NIMASA will advertise its available vacancies for qualified Nigerians to apply,’’ he said.

  • Wike making huge joke of governance – Peterside

    Wike making huge joke of governance – Peterside

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State during the 2015 election, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said on Wednesday that Governor Nyesom Wike is making a huge joke of governance in the state.

    He also expressed displeasure at the manner Wike was handling Rivers State affairs, saying within four days, the governor sacked all his special advisers and caretaker chairmen of four local government councils, who had barely spent three weeks in office, for unknown reasons.

    Peterside, in a statement by his media team, reiterated that Wike had earlier sacked his commissioners “for not being loyal to him.”

    He said: “While it is the prerogative of the governor to appoint his aides, his actions are reminiscent of a despot, who is confused and is afraid of everybody around him. Wike is just a confused man, he does not trust anybody around him. He is afraid of his own shadow and he thinks that only him can be right at all times.

    “These are the attributes of a despot. He is afraid of everybody and everybody is afraid of him. All the people that have worked with him are afraid to talk or even take initiatives of their own. They can only complain to close friends.

    “Wike is playing with the dignity and sense of belonging of Rivers men and women, who deserve to be respected and honoured in their various dispositions.

    Peterside, who is the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), accused the Rivers governor of deliberately hiding the budget of Rivers State in order to stop people from challenging him and subjecting his policies to scrutiny.

    He stressed that Wike was never really prepared to govern Rivers State, but was only interested in acquiring the power to serve a selfish motive of making an emperor and maximum ruler.

    He added: “Wike did not have focus. So, he is simply proving true to the type of what we know about him. He cannot stand contrary opinion and alternative views. Hence, he wants to surround himself with people who cannot hold contrary views from his.

    “He (Wike) is a dictator at heart and it is already clear to Rivers people that they made a mistake in 2015. 2019 presents an opportunity to put an end to a deceitful government that has not told them how their money is being spent.

    “Our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, who are pensioners, have not been paid for several months. Local government workers are being owed for months. Teachers are still being owed outstanding and only recently, Rivers got N10 billion from Paris Club refund. What has the governor done with the money?”

  • There is no rift in Rivers APC —Dakuku Peterside

    There is no rift in Rivers APC —Dakuku Peterside

    THE Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has disclosed that the decision for him to contest the 2019 governorship in Rivers State would be made by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and the people of the state.

    Peterside, who was the governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers in 2015, made the disclosure on Thursday at an interactive session with reporters at Onne Port Complex in Eleme Local Government Area of the state, immediately after the celebration of the annual Seafarers’ Day, themed: “Seafarers Matter.” Peterside, a former member of the House of Representatives, said: “The decision to vie in 2019 for Rivers governorship will be made by my party and the people of Rivers State. We have not made that decision yet.

    “There is absolutely no rift in my political party, the APC, in Rivers State. The party is united under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation Minister). “In various families, from time to time, you will see people who see things from different perspectives, but over time, there is an internal mechanism to resolve the issues.

    “What is going on in the APC family in Rivers State is usual for a large family where you have vibrant young people, and where you have people who trade on ideas. There will be conflict of ideas from time to time, but that has nothing to do with the objective and the mission to uproot the bad governance that is going on in Rivers State and install a government that represents the wishes and aspirations of Rivers people. We are all together on that.” The NIMASA chief also stated that the “insecurity and bad governance currently in Rivers are not part of what the founding fathers of the state envisioned for Rivers, during its creation on May 27, 1967.”

  • Port efficiency: NPA inaugurates four tugboats worth over N9.16b

    Port efficiency: NPA inaugurates four tugboats worth over N9.16b

    The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has acquired four tugboats at the cost of over N9.16 billion to improve port efficiency.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tugboats are MT DAURA, MT. UROMI, MT. UBIMA and MT. MAJIYA.

    At the inauguration of the tugboats on Wednesday in Apapa, Lagos, the Managing Director, NPA, Ms Hadiza Usman, said that they were needed to assist vessels to berth appropriately into the channels.

    Usman added that the tugboats would enhance navigation and improve management of the channels.

    “The authority is to fulfill its obligation with Joint Venture Channel Management Companies by carrying out capital amendment dredging of the
    channels.

    “The partnership has improved the dredging of the channels.

    “The Lagos channel is up to 13.5 metres deep while more than 100 critical wrecks have been removed from the channels.

    “Through the joint partnership, about 232.3 metres vessels carry up to 3,500 TEU, and such vessels require approximately 11.5 metres depth,’’ Usman said.

    A member of Senate Committee on Marine Transportation, Sen. Binta Garba, who inaugurated Mt. MAJIYA, said that the inauguration would have a multiplier effect on the nation economy.

    Garba said that the senate would not relent in assisting government agencies to develop infrastructure to enable government to generate more revenue.

    She urged the NPA to intensify efforts in revenue generation.

    Mr Emmanuel Adesoye, the Chairman, Board of Directors of NPA, commended the achievement.

    Adesoye said that the tugboats were of the best brands and would serve as a powerful revenue earner.

    Adesoye said that the four tugboats had increased to nine, the number
    of the tugboats available to improve ship anchorage in various channels.

    In a message, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku
    Peterside, also hailed the NPA for the feat.

    Peterside, who was represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the NIMASA, Alhaji Bashir Jamoh, said that the tugboats would assist in daily operations of the authority and reduce turnaround time of vessels calling at the ports.

    “Before now, attention had always been in the recurrent expenditure in Nigeria, but the current administration shifted to capital expenditure which is the catalyst to economic growth and development.

    “Infrastructure development is crucial to the growth of the maritime sector and by extension the Nigerian economy, particularly now that the Federal Government is diversifying the economy in order to create more jobs and generate more revenue.

    “The efforts of NPA will go a long way in assisting the government to realise its agenda and also help to plug revenue leakages at this time the country is trying to get out of recession.

    “The Dockyard will save Federal Government at least 100 million
    dollars annually which will be direct savings from the dry docking of vessels operating in Nigeria,’’ Peterside said.

    He said that it was Nigeria’s desire to partner with the private sector to
    run the dockyard, adding that NIMASA would continue its collaboration
    with NPA and other sister-agencies in ensuring safe and secure maritime domain.

    Mrs Nike Akande, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce, said that there was the need to provide necessary facilities in the ports.

    Akande expressed satisfaction that the NPA procured the tugboats under the leadership of a woman.

    She said that the inauguration of the tugboats would ease operations in the ports.

    Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command,
    urged the management of NPA to assist the navy to train its officers and men
    on the operations of the tugboats.

    Bobai said that full operations of the tugboat would improve turnaround time in ports.

    He, however, urged that the tugboats be handled properly to avoid accidents.

    The Managing Director, Depase Company, Mr Gadi Ilan, commended the NPA for giving the company the opportunity to train the Nigeria crew on additional operations regarding the tugboats.

    Mrs Lizy Ovbude, Managing Director, Ports and Terminal Operators Nig. Ltd., urged the NPA management to extend the operations of the tugboats to the Eastern Port.

    Ovbude said that terminal operators usually ended up hiring tugboats from private companies to enable them to anchor their vessels safely.

     

  • Buhari congratulates Peterside over election as AAMA chief

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside on his election as the new Chairman of the Association of African Maritime Administrators (AAMA).i

    The president’s congratulatory message was issued in a statement by Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Saturday in Abuja.

    Buhari said: “Peterside’s unanimous election is not only a personal honour and affirmation of confidence in his ability to lead AAMA, but also places Nigeria in a pivotal position to rally other maritime administrations in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) toward safer global maritime activities.’’

    He acknowledged NIMASA’s encouraging performance under Peterside, especially in the fight against sea piracy through inter-agency cooperation.

    According to the president, Peterside’s new position provides him with an even bigger platform to forge ahead in doing the nation proud by meeting the objectives of AAMA.

    While wishing the new Chairman of AAMA successful one-year tenure, he expressed confidence that within this period, the Federal Government’s renewed focus on growing the Nigerian economy through increased maritime resources would be further enhanced.

    Dakuku Peterside emerged chairman of AAMA at the end of the 3rd Annual Conference of the continental organisation in Abuja on Friday.

    Peterside took over the chairmanship position from Sobantu Tilayi, the acting Chief Executive Officer of South African Maritime and Safety Agency (SAMSA), who has been the acting Chair of the association since 2013.

     

  • Wike turning governance into circus, says Peterside

    Wike turning governance into circus, says Peterside

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart in Rivers, Dr. Dakuku Peterside has questioned the mental state of Governor Nyesom Wike after Wike claimed that the $43.45million found in a Lagos apartment belongs to Rivers Government.

    The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) recovered the suspicious money in different currencies at a residence in Ikoyi, Lagos State.

    Wike claimed that the money was the proceeds from the sale of gas turbines by Rotimi Amaechi, who was his predecessor.

    Peterside, who is Director General, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and who also served in the Amaechi administration as a commissioner for works and later a member of the House of Representatives, slammed Wike’s claim as deceptive.

    He accused the governor of turning governance into a circus show and lacking the sense of dignity by constantly being in the news for all the wrong reasons.

    “Not too long ago, Wike apparently suffering from overdose of self delusion said he awarded road projects in far away Benue State and had mobilised contractors to site.

    “The same Wike has also accused the Inspector General of Police of plotting to assassinate him through the new CP in Rivers State.

    “We thought these were jokes taken too far. But the clownish governor has surprised himself with another tale by moonlight in trying to link his former boss and benefactor to the unclaimed money,” he said.

    According to Peterside, there is need to examine Wike’s state of mind because his utterances and actions are embarrassing Rivers people.

    “Time and time again, Wike is bringing ridicule to the office he occupies and embarrassing the people of Rivers State who are known to be intelligent, responsible and decent in upbringing,” he said.

    The APC chieftain said Amaechi, Minister of Transportation had since denied owning the said house in Lagos and challenged the Rivers Government to provide evidence to the contrary.

    Peterside explained that the money realised from the sale of gas turbines was paid into the account of Rivers state and used for projects.

    “While Wike can never come near the record of Amaechi, he is doing everything to reverse the unmatchable records of his predecessor.

    ” As at today, no one has seen copies of 2016 and 2017 budgets of Rivers State. Schools and health centres are shutting down with thousands of school age children out of school,” he said.

    “It is people like Wike who have made Nigerians to call to question the issue of immunity in the Constitution. He is taking immunity as shield to abuse the dignity of the office of Governor.

    “The governor can still retrace his steps and follow the path of dignity, decorum and respect the office he occupies for he holds it in trust on behalf of Rivers people,” he said.

    Peterside also said he had been a victim of the lies being told by the Wike Clan, as he was accused by the PDP chairman in the state, of using $6m to influence judicial officers.

  • 60% of workers onboard vessels are Nigerians – NIMASA

    Dr Dakuku Peterside, the Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), on Wednesday said that over 60 per cent of workers onboard vessels operating under the Cabotage regime were Nigerians.

    Peterside said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    NAN reports that the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act was enacted in 2003 to encourage more Nigerian participation in the maritime sector.

    Peterside said that before 2003, less than three per cent of vessels operating in Nigerian waters were “flagged Nigerian’’.

    “Now we have over 60 per cent vessels doing business in Nigerian waters flying the Nigerian flag.

    “Nigeria has been able to achieve 20 per cent in building of Cabotage vessels from a completely foreign-dominated era.

    “The present Management of NIMASA aimed to target 100 per cent Cabotage compliance in the nearest future,” Peterside said.

    The NIMASA chief said that the agency “is addressing issues militating against the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund for the fund to be fully accessible”.

    According to him, Nigerian-flagged vessels have also enjoyed significant growth in the last 12 months.

    He said that 262 vessels with a total tonnage of slightly over 232,000 were registered in 2015.

    The director- general said the number of vessels registered in 2016 almost doubled the ones registered in 2015.

    He said that 370 vessels were registered in 2016 with total tonnage of 420,000.

    Dakuku said that 1,045 trainees had graduated from the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) representing 42 per cent of the 2,500 that NIMASA sponsored in the scheme.

    According to him, 226 beneficiaries graduated from Arab University in Egypt, 76 from South Tyneside, Newcastle in England, and 743 graduated from various partner universities in the Philippines.

    He said that NIMASA had discovered that non-inclusion of sea-time training in the NSDP programme was a challenge.

    The director-general said the agency had been having discussions to engage the graduate cadets on sea time training.

    Peterside said that NIMASA was having fruitful discussions with schools in Egypt and Newcastle to directly facilitate sea time training for graduate cadets.

    He said that only five Nigerians were onboard seagoing vessels, while the Philippines had over half a million seafarers.

    Peterside said that NIMASA’s goal was ultimately to domesticate training of seafarers in Nigeria.

     

  • 130 Nigerian youths complete seafarers’ graduate programme in Egypt

    The Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) has produced 130 cadets graduates from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in Alexandria, Egypt.

    NSDP is an initiative of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside, said this in a message to the graduation ceremony in Egypt, made available by the Head, Corporate Communications of the agency, Mr Isichie Osamgbi, on Sunday in Lagos.

    Peterside was represented at the graduation ceremony by the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr Gambo Ahmed.

    According to Peterside, this feat has further increased the pool of seafarers in the sector; as it brings to 1,045, the total number of graduates from the NSDP project.

    He said the number of graduates represented 42 per cent of the over 2,500 NIMASA-sponsored beneficiaries.

    According to the director-general, NIMASA sponsored over 2,500 aspiring cadets to the best maritime institutions around the world including Egypt, Romania, The Philipines, UK as well as India.

    He said 226 cadets graduated from the Arab Academy in Egypt, 76 from South Tyneside, Newcastle in England, while 743 graduated from various partner universities in The Philippines.

    Peterside congratulated the graduands, who had their degrees in various maritime -related disciplines ranging from marine transport and logistics, nautical engineering.

    He advised the graduands to utilise the knowledge they acquired to improve on the fortunes of the Nigerian maritime industry.

    The director-general said that the school had agreed to partner with NIMASA in providing sea time training for the graduating students and other NSDP graduands from other schools, which had hitherto been a challenge.

    He said that this would further complement the agency’s other efforts in getting sea time training for graduate cadets.

    Peterside said NIMASA was exploring other avenues to enrich the NSDP programme.

    He said that the impact of the programme would be felt worldwide, as Nigeria would soon start exporting seafarers like the Philippines and other reputable maritime nations.

    “This will reduce unemployment in the country and attract the much-needed foreign exchange,’’ the director-general said.

    The graduands expressed appreciation for the opportunity granted them to excel and pledged to use the knowledge acquired to enhance the Nigerian maritime sector.

    The youths spoke with the Coordinator of NSDP scheme, Mr Victor Egejuru, Deputy Director, Maritime Labour in NIMASA and thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the Management of NIMASA for the opportunity to progress in their career and in growing maritime capacity.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NSDP initiative was floated by NIMASA in 2008 to curb the dearth of trained and certified seafarers in the country.

     

  • Peterside seeks support of traditional rulers on economic diversification

    Peterside seeks support of traditional rulers on economic diversification

    The Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, has called on traditional rulers in the maritime domain to assist toward the economic diversification drive of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    Peterside made the call when he led the Management of NIMASA on a courtesy visit to the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu in his palace in Lagos, as part of his stakeholders’ engagement.

    The Director- General said his visit to the traditional ruler was informed by the critical role the traditional institution played in nation building as custodians of culture and tradition.

    He described Lagos as the economic gateway of Nigeria with enormous maritime resources.

    According to Peterside, the state is the hub of maritime activities in Nigeria as it is the only state in the country that has two international seaports.

    “Lagos plays a very important role in the economic development of Nigeria because it is the hub of maritime activities in the country.

    “Therefore, there is need for all stakeholders in Lagos to work with government and its agencies for the economic diversification of the Nigeria,’’

    Peterside said the roles of NIMASA included regulation of shipping and shipping activities as well as promotion of indigenous shipping.

    The Director- General calls for the support of the traditional ruler for an enabling operational environment.

    He said that in the course of carrying out its regulatory functions, the agency might need the support of the traditional institution in one way or the other.

    “We will come hard on erring operators and stakeholders and we will need your support where necessary in order to achieve our aims for the benefit of Nigeria,’’ Peterside said.

    In his response, Akiolu commended the Management of NIMASA.

    He said he was impressed by the good works being done to revolutionise the maritime sector in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s change agenda.

    Akiolu said the agency could count on the him and his traditional council to provide a conducive environment for maritime activities to thrive.

    He also said that he had instructed his chiefs around the operational base of the agency in Lagos to ensure that “the place is secured for people to carry out their legitimate businesses’’.

    NIMASA is a Federal Government agency, saddled with the responsibility of regulating maritime activities and promoting indigenous shipping in Nigeria.

    The agency has its corporate headquarters in Lagos and other operational zones in Port Harcourt, Warri, Calabar, among others.

     

  • Akiolu urges prayers for Buhari

    Akiolu urges prayers for Buhari

    Lagos traditional ruler Oba Rilwan Akiolu has called on Nigerians to continuously pray for the speedy recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He also said it is ungodly to wish a fellow person death when sickness is a human phenomenon.

    Akiolu spoke on Tuesday when management and executives of Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA) paid him a courtesy visit at his Iga Iduagan palace.

    The team was led by NIMASA Director General, Dakuku Peterside, who noted that 60 percent goods that come in and out of the country through sea-borne trade are through Lagos ports to and from other parts of the world; and why the State plays an important role in the development of the country.

    Oba Akiolu described President Buhari as very disciplined and focused and whose whistle blowing policy is reducing greed and unnecessary accumulation of wealth.

    He said: “Nigeria has gained international respect because of things Buhari has done. Let’s not wish him dead but give constructive criticism through the right channels.”

    The monarch called for a special status to be given Lagos because of the pressure it has on its infrastructure.

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