The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Maritime

  • Maritime safety: Ambode seeks partnership among West African countries

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday added his voice to the call for regional integration among countries within the Gulf of Guinea to protect the coastal areas and ensure adequate safety of lives and facilities.

    The governor, who spoke at the opening session of the Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) Africa in Lagos, stressed that the maritime sector remained a critical factor in achieving economic prosperity for the region.

    He said unless there is a regional collaboration in the region, the full benefit and opportunities that abound in the sector would not be achieved.

    Ambode said Lagos, being the host city of the busiest port within the region, was concerned about the activities of criminal elements and the threats their activities pose to the region.

    He added that the state government, as a responsible government, was ready to partner with relevant government agencies and other concerned stakeholders to put an end to the challenge.

    “Nigeria as a country with the largest economy in Africa must take the lead and launch a proactive measure to put a stop to these criminal activities as it is germane to our socio economic growth.

    “We are aware of the strategic role Lagos State plays as harboring the largest port and maritime activities in the West African sub region.  As a government, we are ready to partner and offer necessary support to put an end to this menace”, he said.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Idiat Adebule, enjoined participants and other resource persons at the conference to come up with useful suggestions and enduring measures that will put a stop to the illicit activities of criminals in the maritime sub-sector.

    The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, in his welcome address, said the Offshore Patrol Vessel conference for Africa, the second in the series, “is another platform created by stakeholders in the maritime industry to address the challenges and threats confronting the sector.

    Ibas said that Africa’s maritime domain is a strategic economic platform with enormous potentials.

    He noted that these potentials have some threats, ranging from piracy, sea robbery, drug and human trafficking as well as worrisome pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft that have continued to challenge the smooth operation of lawful business operations in the sector.

     

  • Buhari urged to reposition maritime

    The Nigerian Ports Consulta-tive Council (NPCC) has urged President Muham-madu Buhari to reposition the maritime sector.

    The Chairman of the council, Otunba Kunle Folarin, urged the President to assist the industry to arrest its declining fortune.

    Speaking at the roundtable on the Maritime sector and the port industry, tagged: “Setting maritime agenda for the attainment of Vision 20:2020” in Lagos, Folarin lamented that the sector had not achieved its goals over the years.

    He said the forum was not aimed at criticising the government, but to set a roadmap for the Buhari administration on how to develop the industry .

    “We are coming against the backdrop of repositioning the maritime industry because in the last 20 years the maritime industry has seen gradual decline. So, what we hope to achieve is to reposition and refocus the industry within the region.

    “We are giving a road map and we are the pathfinders. The stakeholders are the owners of the industry. We are the only ones that can tell government what we need. We are the professionals; we are the practitioners. That is why the choice of delegate is deliberate. We want to give government a roadmap to create a pathfinder that will deliver, we don’t want a situation where government will come and act in a vacuum. They will have a document and position that will drive the maritime economy and the industry.

    “There must be a reference and it must come from discussion. There must be a document that will guide the industry. You cannot just create a policy without having to know what the stakeholders want; that is why we are discussing.’’

    He added: “We are trying to build the maritime sector, create a sector that will stand out within the region if not in Africa and beyond. That is what we are trying to do, trying to deposit a roadmap and a pathfinder to the promise land.

    “If you look at the table, we have over 500 years of experience; people who have lived all their lives in the maritime sector. That is what we are bringing to the table. It is a very formidable task that we are gathering these men and women in the room. That is what we are trying to do,” he said.

    At the roundtable were the Acting President, Nigeria Shipowners Association (NISA), Alhaji Aminu Umar; President, Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN),  Greg Ogbeifun; former chairman, Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) Planning Committee, Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi and former Commissioner for Transport, Lagos State, Prof. Bamidele Badejo, among others.

     

  • Group seeks road map for maritime

    THE Federal Government has been urged to design a road map for the maritime industry.

    Ship ownership, improved cargo and passenger volume, reliable utilities, security and a concerted war against corruption are some of the major means of developing the sector – according to the Sifax Group chief Dr. Taiwo Afolabi.

    Speaking at the at the just-concluded Nigerian Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) in Lagos, Afolabi, represented by one of his directors, Major Henry Ajetunmobi (rtd), spoke of the need to take advantage of the huge economic potential of the industry to enhance the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    Based on the dwindling oil revenue, the government, industry regulators, agencies, investors, financiers, operators and other stakeholders should post resources to boost the economy

    On the allegation that shipping companies and terminal operators are imposing arbitrary charges at ports, the Sifax boss called for a cautious approach.

    “The issues, no doubt, calls for the wisdom of Solomon as well as random eclectic borrowings from the principles long adopted by other maritime nations, especially those in the advanced world that have made a huge success of privatization in their own ports and terminals.

    But over and above this, is the need for the economic regulator, acting in full consultation with critical stakeholders, to seek to regulate the industry, with a clearly perceived passion to balance and protect the interests of all parties to avoid crisis.

    “We must begin to take measures now to develop other critical sectors of the economy, particularly in agriculture and optimal exploitation of the vast deposits of our solid mineral and non-oil natural resources, to generate enough cargo that can challenge the present high volume of our import cargo throughput that has given us our present unflattering image as a chronic import-dependent nation.” he said.

    He said that it wasn’t enough for the country to be contented with the huge natural endowments of long coastline and urged investors to finance the acquisition of vessels, particularly Nigerian-flagged ones with the capacity to participate in deep ocean-going international trade.

    He noted that the revamping of public utilities would serve as incentive to current and prospective investors in the industry, adding that improved security that guarantees the safety of persons and goods around our maritime assets and a committed war against endemic corruption will lead to rapid development in the industry.

     

  • ‘Maritime sector can generate N7tr revenue’

    ‘Maritime sector can generate N7tr revenue’

    Maritime lawyer and former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Mr Olisa Agbakoba has said the maritime sector, if properly managed  could generate N7 trillion revenue yearly.

    He berated successive adminstrations in the country for focusing on oil. He urged any political party that  wins the February elections to  harness  the wealth  in the sector to create jobs and sustain the economy.

    Addressing reporters in his office yesterday, he said the maritime sector can boost the economy if its potentials are adequately harnessed by the government.

    He said the country has limitless business opportunities in the maritime sector consisting a vast coastline of over 800 kilometres, an exclusive economic zone of well over 200 nautical miles, navigable inland waterways of 3,000 kilometres, six major seaports, 11 oil terminals, over 170 private jetties and six major inland container depots that could be used to develop the country besides its oil revenue.

  • Piracy: Maritime workers begin indefinite strike

    Piracy: Maritime workers begin indefinite strike

    Boat drivers in Bayelsa State, under the aegis of the Maritime Workers’ Union (MWU), have begun an indefinite strike to protest rising piracy attacks on the waterways.

    The action, which grounded  the waterways, was said to have disrupted the ward congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday.

    MWU Chairman Lloyd Sese said the maritime workers took the action following the inability of the state government to curtail the activities of sea pirates.

    The union leader alleged that the government had attempted to tackle the pirates, but was defeated because it set up a task force allegedly led by suspected pirates.

    He said the union should be included in the federal and state governments’ Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

    Sese said: “This time, we are embarking on an indefinite strike because the government has decided not live up to its responsibilities. Cases of sea piracy on our waterways are increasing.

    “We went on a 21-day warning strike but midway into it, the Commissioner for Transport pleaded that we suspend the strike with the promise that in two weeks the government would meet our demands. But till date, nothing has been done.

    “Sea pirates rob traders of their money and valuables. In some cases, they rape women on board the boats everyday. We cannot operate in that kind of hostile environment.

    “If the government cannot protect the life and property of boat drivers in the state, then there is nothing we can do than to stop work and allow government to take over the maritime transportation business.”

    It was learnt that the strike marred the funeral, at the weekend, of those who died in a boat mishap in Bayelsa State.

    A resident, who identified himself simply as Godspower said: “I was supposed to be in Brass since Friday for the burial of my late uncle but our sympathisers and relations could not travel because of the strike.”

    Transport Commissioner Mrs. Mari Ebikaki declined to comment on the matter.

    She said she had been transferred to the Ministry for Local Government Affairs.

  • Gunmen kidnap four in Bayelsa

    Gunmen kidnap four in Bayelsa

    •Maritime workers threaten to go on strike

    Four workers of construction giant Setraco have been kidnapped in the creeks of Nembe, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    Caleb Agene, Otuke Magic Kingdom, Gabriel Oghene and Godwin Odukpong were working on the multi-million naira Ogbia-Nembe road around 9pm on Saturday when they were abducted by gunmen.

    The incident occurred a few days after the state government set up an 11-man security task force, headed by a former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Ebikabowei Victor-Ben.

    A security source said: “The dredging workers were reportedly seized and whisked away from their dredging base by armed men, who came in a speedboat.”

    The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Bayelsa State chapter, has threatened to go on an indefinite strike, if the government fails to protect its members from attacks by pirates.

    MWUN Chairman Lloyd Sese said: “Insecurity on the waterways has been our problem over the years. Sea piracy has increased this year. The creeks and the rivers have become a no-go area for meaningful businesses.

    “Unlike the roads that armed robbers will operate under fear that security agencies may catch up with them and run away, pirates rob for many hours unhindered on the waterways.

    “Our boats are stolen, drivers are killed and women are raped on a daily basis. We are tired. There is no day we are not attacked.”

    On the task force set up to curb insecurity on the waterways, Sese said: “You are asking people living in Abuja, who built mansions there and know nothing about the waterways, to come and secure the waterways. How can it work? We will withdraw our services to stop wasting the lives of innocent citizens. The former militants were appointed into the task force without maritime union officials.

    “These are the same people who have boys doing one thing or the other on the waterways and you want their boss to call them to order. It won’t work.”

  • Maritime Academy to introduce new scheme

    THE Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, in Akwa  Ibom State is to introduce a new employment scheme to boost workers’morale.

    The Rector, Joshua Okpo, has inaugurated a 17-man committee to prepare new conditions of service for the Governing Council and send to the Federal Ministry of Transport.

    He urged the committee to ensure that the aspirations of the academy’s employees were met in the new conditions of service.

    Describing the committee members as wise men, Okpo said the academy deserved better conditions of service outside that of the public service.

    “As a member of this committee, you are expected to bring out programmes that will address the needs of employees of this institution. Our conditions of service must be different from those of conventional institutions or establishments.

    “Particularly important is the issue of retirement. We believe when you are discussing among yourselves you have to come out with measures that will address staff welfare during retirement.”

    He said when he assumed duty as Rector of the academy, he noticed that there were many employees who were due for promotion, but were not promoted, adding that many of them are serving as Senior Lecturers, Chief Lecturers, Deputy Registrars, Directors and Acting Directors.

    He assured the staff of improved and enhanced conditions of service, advising them to reciprocate the kind gesture through dedicated service.

    Okpo said he was working to make the academy a degree-awarding institution before the end of his tenure.

    A member of the committee, Jide Kupoluyi, thanked the rector for the opportunity to serve, promising to justify the confidence reposed on them.

    He said the Act, which established the academy, empowers the management to propose a suitable conditions of service for the academy.

  • NIWA holds conference in Lagos today

    The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) international conference and exhibition will begin today in Lagos.

    It will end on Thursday.

    The aim of the forum, according to NIWA, is to bring local and international stakeholders together to brainstorm on how the inland waterways infrastructure, including vessels can be improved upon.

    The theme of the conference is ‘Modernising inland waterways infrastructure and vessels for safe and sustainable inland water transportation, and it is expected to draw experts from the International Maritime Organisation(IMO) inland waterways operators, boat operators, marine and dredging companies, ferry services operators, and oil and gas firms, banking institutions.

    States with inland waterways are also expected to participate.

    The conference, NIWA said, is expected to showcase development in the inland waterways sub-sector.

    NIWA’s General Manager Public Relations Mr Tayo Fadile said President Goodluck Jonathan was being  expected as the special guest of honour, Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar is the chief host,while the Managing Director of NIWA Hajiya Inna Maryam Ciroma is the host.

    NIWA, he said, has organised several awareness and safety campaigns in various parts of the country including Niger, Ondo and Lagos states to boost water transportation.

    NIWA, he said, donated more than 1000 life jackets across the country to boost safety i n the sector.

    Fadile said the event was borne out of the need to bring to the knowledge of the local and international community the business potential of the dredged River Niger.

    He said the Federal Government had pumped a lot of money into dredging the River Niger and it was only fit to have it put to a profitable use.

    “The idea is to bring relevant stakeholders together both locally and internationally to brainstorm and examine critically how the nation’s inland waterways infrastructure including vessels can be improved upon. Experts from the international maritime organisation will be part of the conference.

    “Several inland waterways operators including marine and dredging companies, ferry services operators and oil and gas firms have confirmed participation at the conference while several states with inland waterways activities are also billed to participate at the conference,” he said

     

  • Rector faults NIMASA, master mariners over stattus of maritime institute

    The Rector, Stars Maritime Academy (SMA), Dr. Reuben Ovai, has said  both the Nigeria Maritime Adminsitration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and  master mariners are incompetent to comment on the legitimacy or otherwise of the operations of private maritime schools in the country because they are not the regulatory authorities saddled with the responsibility of approving operations of technical education.

    Ovai spoke at the school premises in Itele, Ogun State in response to allegations levelled against private maritime schools in the country as illegitimate recently by the NIMASA and some master mariners in the country. He said though a few of the schools may be operating illegally, it is wrong for any agency of government or anybody to make a blanket statement because some of the schools like STARS Maritime Academy were duly registered and accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Federal Ministry of Education.

    He said for a government agency that suppose to know better to be accredited with such a published story that private maritime schools in the country are illegitimate sends a wrong information to the general public.

    The rector said the Act that established NIMASA did not give them any right to accredit any maritime institution in the country, adding that the agency under its present management is taking too many responsibilities that are not for them. Master mariners are misinformed about private maritime schools, he added.

  • Maritime workers give 14-day ultimatum

    Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, (MWUN) has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to, among others, evacuate all petrol tankers and other heavy duty vehicles on the access roads to the seaports or risk a shut down of all ports operations nationwide.

    The union in a petition to the Federal Government through the Minister of Transport, also demanded the relocation of all the tank farms along the access roads to the sea ports and rehabilitation of all the access roads to the sea ports within the next 14 days for industrial peace to reign in the ports.

    In the petition dated July 9, MWUN through its Secretary General,  S. Aham Ubani, lamented that incessant gridlock on Oshodi/Apapa Expressway, had practically shut all economic and other activities on the Oshodi/Apapa axis besides inflicting untold hardships on residents and those whose businesses were located in the environs.

    The petition read: “We observe with dismay that petrol tankers and trailers have permanently taken over the access roads to our Sea Ports; Apapa and Tin Can Island Port in particular. The resultant gridlock caused by the indiscriminate parking of the petrol tankers and trailers that daily want to load petrol from the tank farms on the access roads to the sea ports have made movement of people and goods in and out of our sea ports and work places within the Apapa Industrial/Commercial area impossible.”

    Ubani said the deep pot holes on the roads, which are better described as gullies, have turned death traps, and is another contributory factor to the unprecedented grid lock that daily occur on the roads.