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Tag: Dr. Dakuku Peterside

  • Amaechi, Obaseki, others celebrate Peterside

    Amaechi, Obaseki, others celebrate Peterside

    The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, who was the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2015 election in Rivers State, was born on December 31, 1970.

    To mark the 47th birthday of the deputy leader of APC in Rivers (Peterside), his committee of friends, led by Dr. Henry Ogiri, put together a thanksgiving service and an elaborate reception at the highbrow Aztech Arcum Event Centre on Ken Saro-Wiwa (formerly Stadium) Road in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    Choristers from various churches  and independent singers/musicians performed at the thanksgiving service (Part A), which had in attendance, renowned clerics, including Pastor Okechukwu Enelamah, Apostle Eugene Ogu, Pastor Belemina Obunge, Rev. George Izunwa, Pastor James Idode and Rev. Essa Ogory, among others.

    Prayers were offered for the former governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers and his runningmate at the poll, Asita Honourable, who also marked his 51st birthday at the same venue.

    The programme was attended by Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi; Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki; Peterside’s mother, Madam Sogba; a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the APC, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja; a former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas; Deputy National Secretary of APC, Chief Victor Giadom; and two former Vice-Chancellors of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Profs. Nimi Briggs and Don Baridam; as well as many chieftains of APC, among other eminent personalities.

    In Part B of the programme, Ogiri described Peterside as a complete gentleman, hardworking, disciplined, brilliant, a man of honour and integrity, while lauding all the members of the committee of friends for the support and the distinguished persons in attendance for honouring the alumnus of UNIPORT and the then Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), now Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt.

    While proposing the toast, an oil magnate, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, said: “Your background is not the reason why your back is on the ground. Commitment and prayers will give you all you need in life,” describing the former Rivers Commissioner for Works as very humble, trustworthy and reliable.

    The beautiful birthday cake was also cut by the celebrant, in company with Amaechi, who is the leader of APC in the Southsouth zone and Rivers state; Obaseki; and Asita, among others.

    Immediately after cutting the cake, the Masters of Ceremonies (MCs): Mike Ogolo and Tekena Iyalla, decided to test the dancing skills of Peterside and Asita, who did not disappoint their friends and family members, by digging it for about thirty minutes.

    Edo governor, who was accompanied by his wife, in his remarks, revealed that the 2015 governorship campaigns, energy and passion of Peterside, inspired him to vie as governor.

    Obaseki said: “I decided to leave Benin City on December 31. Traditionally, I am not supposed to, but I said I would come to Port Harcourt with my wife, not just for the respect for my in-law, but to come and tell him (Peterside) how much we love and respect him.

    “Peterside may not know, you are one of those who inspired me to run for the office of governor of Edo State. I watched and followed your campaigns. I saw the energy and passion with which you campaigned and they gave me inspiration. It is unfortunate that the deserved victory was not given to you, but you will get it back.

    “I know that given what you are doing in NIMASA today, you would have done much more for your state. If you have the opportunity to handle a state like Rivers that is so rich and so blessed with people and resources, we will find enough engine to change the fortunes of the Southsouth zone of Nigeria.

    “Edo is the entry point to the Southsouth. We have started the reform of our region from Edo State, but I am very lonely. I am the only APC governor from the Southsouth zone. I want my APC brothers to be governors in the zone, because in Edo State, with the little amount of oil (crude) and the little amount of money/derivation we get from the federal purse, if we can do what we are doing in Edo, can you imagine what this state (Rivers) can do?

    “The country realises the potential in you (Peterside). I am sure the people of Rivers State also realise the potential you have. Giving what you have achieved in these years of your life, no doubt, when you have the opportunity to do more for your people, you will do the same way you are doing at the federal level. We are very proud of you. Keep working the way you are doing. We also want to thank you, as people of the Southsouth, for helping us to remove our shame in NIMASA. We are grateful to you. You have come to demonstrate that what happened before your tenure was not in our character. You have done well. Please continue.”

    The governor of Edo state also assured that by the grace of God, he and others would come to Port Harcourt again and again to celebrate with the director-general of NIMASA.

    Peterside, who is also a former member of the House of Representatives, assured that end would soon come to the hopelessness, mystery and lack of good governance in Rivers by Governor Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The NIMASA chief said: “There is no doubt that in Rivers State today, everything is going wrong at the same time. Our healthcare system has collapsed. The National Bureau of Statistics recently released the mystery index and Rivers State is number one in the mystery index. Our people are wallowing in abject poverty and mystery. We sympathise with the people of Rivers State.

    “I can assure you that between the next 12 and 24 months, by the power of the Almighty God and by the power of your rights as Rivers sons, daughters and residents, we will bring to an end, the lack of good governance, hopelessness and mystery in Rivers State. We will bring to an end the shame our people are suffering today.

    “I have heard the cries, pains and agony of our people. There is no one man who can bring to an end these pains, cries and agony. It has to be all of us, working together in the same direction under God and under a common leadership.”

    The former federal lawmaker (Peterside) also expressed gratitude to all the eminent personalities who honoured him and Asita on their birthday.

    The transportation minister, while also speaking, disclosed that the only time somebody, especially a top government official, could know who was loyal, would be when he/she was out of office.

    Amaechi, who is a former governor of Rivers state, said: “If indeed you will call everybody my boys in politics, it will be three persons: Peterside, Nwuke Anucha (from Omuma LGA of Rivers State) and Gabriel Pidomson (an indigene of Bodo-Ogoni in Gokana LGA/former Secretary to the Rivers State Government in the administration of Sir Celestine Omehia). Out of the three of them, it is only Peterside that is with me. By character we shall know them.

    “The only two persons that can write their histories and can call me their boy are Chief Rufus Ada-George and Dr. Peter Odili (both ex-Rivers governors). When we were fighting for the governorship of Rivers State under Dr. Odili, they said Peterside would betray me. I am telling Peterside for the first time. Is Pidomson there? Is Anucha there? The person they said would go (Peterside), is the person who is with us.

    “The only time you will know who is loyal, is when you are out of office. I am not out of office. The only reason they are trying their luck, with what they are doing, is that they believe he (Amaechi) is close to the President (Muhammadu Buhari), but they said there are others who are also close to the President that they can work through. If tomorrow, the President calls me and he says you are my son in whom I am well pleased in Rivers State, they will come back. But because the President does not speak and he attends to everybody according to their needs, they are trying to see some people who can talk to the President. They cannot stand hunger.”

    The minister of transportation also stated that NIMASA was a cesspit of corruption, but Peterside was able to recently return N20 billion, which he (Amaechi) described as highly commendable.

    With the disclosure that the NIMASA chief had a humble beginning, but through the grace of God and hard work, he is now a force to reckon with, not just in Nigeria, but globally, the youths should emulate him, especially bearing in mind that hard work does not kill, it pays.

  • Niger Delta: Every part of the country matters – Osinbajo

    Niger Delta: Every part of the country matters – Osinbajo

    VICE President Yemi Osinbajo assured that Niger Delta people will benefit maximally from the wealth and natural resources of their land.

    He said every part of the country mattered to the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    Osinbajo spoke yesterday on Bonny Island, the headquarters of Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State while inaugurating the construction of the strategic 40-kilometre Bonny-Bodo-Ogoni Road, conceived by the Gen. Yakubu Gowon’s regime but abandoned.

    The road is to be jointly financed by the Federal Government and the Bonny-based Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Company Limited.

    The vice president, who arrived Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa at 12:05 p.m., was accompanied by Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola; senator representing Rivers Southeast Senator Magnus Abe and Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr Dakuku Peterside.

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade received Prof. Osinbajo at the airport with Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG) Chief Kenneth Kobani.

    In Bonny, Osinbajo said: “November 1 will make it exactly one year after Niger Delta leaders, under the aegis of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) met with President Muhammadu Buhari, where he discussed the new vision of his administration with them.

    “On my own part, I have toured many Niger Delta communities to tell them about the new vision of the present administration, ably led by President Buhari.

    Yemi Osinbajo at Niger Delta
    Vice President, Prof. Osinbajo was welcomed by Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade at the Airport

    “Under the new vision, the people of Niger Delta will benefit maximally from the wealth that comes from their land. Every part of Nigeria matters to us as a government. What this country produces will be enough for all of us, if we manage the resources prudently.”

    The vice president also stated that the new road would create jobs in and around Bonny and Bodo communities.

    He said: “This road will create jobs for engineers, it will create jobs for artisans and it will create jobs for food vendors. The construction of this road will transform a lot of lives in and around Bonny and Bodo communities.

    “The construction of this road will alleviate the suffering of many travellers to and from Bonny Island. I rejoice with the people of Bonny and Bodo over the flag-off of the construction of this road project.”

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike reiterated that over the years, residents of Bonny were yearning for the construction of the road to link the coastal community with the upland areas of the state.

    Wike was represented by Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry-Banigo.

    Fashola said: “This 40-kilometre Bonny-Bodo Road will have three bridges in between. A 1,000-metre bridge will across Ogbogbo Creek, a 640-metre bridge will be against Nabie Creek, and a 550-metre bridge will be against the Ake Creek.”

  • Rivers makes U-turn on launch of road construction

    The declaration of the Director-General of  Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, to lead the people of Rivers State on a protest to the Government House, Port Harcourt, has made the Governor Nyesom Wike administration to make a U-turn on the launch of construction of the Bonny-Bodo Road.

    Peterside, the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2015 election, described Wike, a former minister of state for Education and a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the worst enemy of the state.

    Last week, Commissioner for Education Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, an indigene of Opobo, headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government, warned headtechers of schools in Bonny not to allow the launch in their schools.

    Gogo-Jaja, a former Majority leader of the House of Assembly, also declared that any errant headteacher, who acted contrary to his directive, would be sanctioned.

    The launch was billed to take place in a government school on Bonny Island, but the Education commissioner claimed that the necessary approval was not sought from the Ministry of Education.

    The strategic road that was abandoned in Bodo-Ogoni for many decades would put an end to attack by pirates on the waterways and incessant boat, mishaps which had claimed the lives of many.

    Dualisation of the road to Bonny Island, the base of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Company, is a partnership between the Federal Government and NLNG, a major project of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    In order to do damage control, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah, a lawyer, denied that Wike was planning to frustrate the launch  of the road.

    He claimed that the governor had been clamouring for the construction of federal roads in the state and would not at the same time disrupt or frustrate the launch.

  • NIMASA introduces new cabotage policy

    A new Cabotage Compliance Strategy (NCCS) has gone into operation in the country,the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) announced Friday.

    The Director-General of the agency, Dr Dakuku Peterside, said the new policy was to facilitate a better  coastal and inland trade regime and to  secure jobs for qualified Nigerians in the maritime sector.

    Chief spokesman for NIMASA,Mr Isichei Osamgbi, quoted Peterside as saying that with the NCCS regime, the agency  would no longer consider applications for grant of waiver on manning for prescribed categories of officers in vessels engaged in cabotage trade.

    “The era of foreigners taking over jobs that Nigerians are qualified for in the maritime sector is over,” he said.

    “The NCCS will point a new direction to our cabotage regime as the agency will no longer consider application for grant of waiver on manning requirements for vessels engaged in coastal trade.

    “This is with regards to 2nd officer, 2nd engineer, 2nd mate, down to able seamen, ratings and stewards,” he said.

    The director-general stated that special applications for captains, chief engineers, chief officers, and 1st mate, in the absence of qualified Nigerians, would be considered on merit.

    “It is on the condition that such an organisation will plan to train a Nigerian and make a transition plan to ensure that the Nigerian takes over the job within one year,” he said.

    He said that the whole essence of this was to ensure that Nigerians were not deprived of the jobs due to them on showing requisite qualifications for the job.

    Peterside pledged that NIMASA would continue to work closely with stakeholders to support and promote indigenous participation in the Nigerian maritime sector.

    He advised all relevant government agencies and International Oil Companies (IOCs) to collaborate with the agency in harnessing opportunities available in the nation’s maritime space.

     

  • Shippers’ association urges NIMASA to stop cargo diversion

    Shippers’ association urges NIMASA to stop cargo diversion

    The Shippers Association Lagos State (SALS) has urged the management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to assist in stopping Nigerian cargoes being diverted to ports of neighbouring countries.

    The President of the association, Mr Jonathan Nicol, made the call when the executives of SALS visited NIMASA headquarters in Lagos on Wednesday.

    Nicol solicited the assistance of NIMASA in improving import business through favourable import policies.

    “Reduction of volume of imports has accounted for low income for NIMASA and other agencies.

    “Few years back, our association made an annual income of over 30,000,000 dollars monthly.

    “That was when we had over 100 vessels waiting to berth at our harbour.

    “We also noticed that most of our on-board cargoes are now sent to Republic of Benin, Togo, Accra, Burkina Faso and Mauritania due to unfavourable government policies,” he said.

    The shippers said that government’s policies had not been attractive, adding that the policies were also affecting NIMASA’s revenue.

    NIMASA

    Nicol explained that NIMASA’s fees were based on vessel tonnage, which he said had depleted grossly in recent times.

    According to him, we need more vessels to berth, more infrastructures and that is why we are here.

    Nicol commended the management of NIMASA for the bold steps being taken at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to revamp the economy of the nation.

    Responding, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside, pledged the agency’s support to enable the shippers remain in business.

    Peterside, who was represented by the Director, Shipping Development of NIMASA, said that the agency had put in place measures to ensure that shippers have access to cargoes.

    “NIMASA has made efforts to ensure the nation has a national carrier.

    “Over 70 per cent of rated seafarers are Nigerians but they still need to develop their competency to get on board vessels,” he said.

    He said that the agency had put in place measures to ensure that shippers have access to cargo and that the cargo would no longer be on Free On Board (FOB) but on Cost Insurance Freight (CIF).

  • NPA chief sensitizes girls on maritime careers

    NPA chief sensitizes girls on maritime careers

    The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman, on Tuesday advised school girls in Lagos State to explore careers in the maritime sector.

    Speaking at the flag-off of the nationwide Girls Go-to-Sea Campaign, Bala-Usman, told the pupils not to be perturbed by peer pressure and allow themselves to derail in their educational pursuits.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, organized by Platform Reporters Communications, was attended by many women in the maritime sector.

    The NPA chief executive advised the girls to look beyond cultural inhibitions and make good grades in their certificate examinations.

    “With good grades in your exams you will get placement in higher institutions and take up maritime-related courses, which will guarantee you promising career in the maritime industry.

    “The industry seems to be men-dominated at the moment but that does not foreclose you as a girl from making it to the apex of your career in the sector.’’

    According to her there are no known career designated for men while precluding women.

    She noted that in every career, there were challenges facing people in that profession, adding that it only demanded doggedness for anyone to succeed.

    “Therefore, I charge you all to be resolute in your career pursuits and sustain the tempo which many of us here have created for women in the industry as our successors in years to come,’’ she said.

    Speaking at the event, the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General, Dr Dakuku Peterside, said that females in the industry were enjoying the respect of operators in the industry.

    Peterside, who was represented at the event by an Assistant Director in the agency Mrs Mary Madu-Hamman, told the girls that there were numerous jobs for them in the sector.

    Peterside, who listed subjects that could propel one into maritime careers, also reeled out universities offering maritime courses in Nigeria, including the Nigerian Maritime Academy, Oron.

    “Get yourselves prepared early enough and get advice of career councilors from women practitioners in maritime and earn good living devoid of being dependent,’’ Peterside said.

    The girls, who were treated to a brain-teaser competition, were given exercise books by the organisers embodied with career tit-bits in the industry.

    Memunat Abdullahi of Akande Danhusi Memorial School, Ikoyi came first in the competition.

    Lunga Jennifer of Wahab Folawiwo Junior High School also in Ikoyi came second while Chinonso Ohale from Ilado Community Junior High School came third.

     

  • Navy, NIMASA sign MoU on service delivery

    The Nigerian Navy on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for effective and efficient service delivery.

    The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, said the signing of the MoU had become imperative because of the importance of the nation’s maritime domain.

    Ibas said the first MoU that was signed between the two organisations yielded a remarkable achievement.

    This, he said, necessitated the review of the MoU to continue to work together to protect the nation’s assets from crude oil thieves and other criminals.

    He said the first quarter of 2016 witnessed an unprecedented high rate of crime in the nation’s maritime domain but due to the collaboration of the two organisations, the crime was drastically reduced.

    Ibas said the service needed more support from sister agencies to enable it to carry out its professional responsibility of safeguarding the nation’s maritime domain and other responsibilities.

    He expressed optimism that intelligence, facility and information sharing would go a long way in assisting the service to carry out its professional responsibilities.

    The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, expressed delight at the signing of the MOU, saying it would avail the two organisations with yet another opportunity to continue to safeguard the nation’s assets.

    Peterside said the major responsibility of NIMASA was to safeguard the maritime domain and rid it of illegal activities and making the environment conducive for legal activities.

    NAN

     

  • Peterside mourns Rivers CP’s demise

    Peterside mourns Rivers CP’s demise

    The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, has described the death of serving Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Odesanya, as shocking.

    He stated that the death came at a time when Rivers state and Nigeria needed Odesanya’s professional competence and managerial capability.

    Peterside, Wednesday in an online statement by his media team, noted that the demise of Odesanya had robbed the nation of a fine officer and gentleman, who rose through the ranks, before being posted to Rivers state to help curtail the activities of criminal elements.

    He said: “Indeed, our state and the entire nation have lost a fine officer and gentleman, who weathered it through the ranks to the position he held before his death.

    “His loss becomes more painful, considering his efforts at checkmating the dangerous activities of criminals in Rivers State.”

    The NIMASA boss also sympathised with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, and the Police Service Commission (PSC) over the unfortunate loss, stressing that it was indeed a big loss to the Nigeria police.

    He said: “This is indeed a sad one to the police, Rivers State and Nigeria. He has contributed to the corporate existence of Nigeria and fought many criminal elements in the society to ensure that we are able to move around freely and go about our normal duties.

    “For the few months he had been in Rivers State, he showed the attributes of a good leader, who is ready to lead from the front and provide direction for the rank and file.”  

    Peterside, who was the governorship candidate, is the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2015 election in Rivers State, prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed, just as he wished his family members God’s guidance and grace as they mourn the demise of their illustrious son.

  • Rivers: Peterside urges prosecution of electoral offenders

    Rivers: Peterside urges prosecution of electoral offenders

    A call has gone out for the prosecution of all those involved in the audio recording alleging electoral malpractices.

    The call was made by the Director- General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, on Friday.

    A statement by Peterside’s media office in Abuja said that the audio recording showed top officials of Rivers government allegedly offering a bribe to INEC officials during the re-run legislative elections in the state.

    It said that the allegation contained in the audio record was weighty and needed to be unravelled to serve as a deterrent to others and safeguard democratic tenets in the country.

    The office noted that the audio tape which had gone viral on the internet, if not checked, would amount to ‘’abuse of the honour and trust reposed on such officials’’.

    The statement added that the allegations remained portrayed misuse of power bestowed by the people on elected and appointed officials.

    The office, therefore, called on the officials linked with the audio tape to come out to give a true picture of what transpired and apologise to Rivers people.

  • Election: APC will reject result of Rivers East, says Peterside

    Election: APC will reject result of Rivers East, says Peterside

    The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, on Monday, said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would reject the result of Rivers East Senatorial District rerun election.

    Peterside told a news conference in Port Harcourt that the collation of the district’s election results was marred with irregularities.

    He said that information available to the party showed that results of some local government areas in the district had not been collated.

    Peterside, the Deputy Leader of the party in the state, also alleged that due process was not followed in announcing the results.

    “ You are aware that elections were inconclusive in Etche Local Government Area; the results for Emohua Local Government Area have not been collated, the results for Port Harcourt City Local Government Area were partially collated.

    “ The APC agent was beaten at the collation centre in Port Harcourt. Without him being present, the result was announced in favour of the PDP candidate.

    “ Whatever result is declared for Rivers East will be ridiculing the democracy; APC will not accept any of that,” he said.

    Peterside said the APC would use constitutional means to resist the alleged irregularities.