Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from June, 2022

Deep Blue Project Gets Reinforcement With Signing Of Exchange Notes

Honorable Minister of State Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba (right) and Ambassador Extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Japan to Nigeria, His Excellency Kazuyoshi Matsunaga (left) holding the signed Exchange of Note (E/N) document while the Director General, (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh (middle) looks on The Federal Republic of Nigeria has signed  an Exchange of Note (E/N) with the Japanese Government for an Economic and Social Development Programme involving the acquisition of High-Speed Boat to reinforce services for coastal security in Nigeria, with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, as the implementing partner.   The Honorable Minister of  State Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba signed on behalf of Nigeria, while the Ambassador Extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Japan to Nigeria, His Excellency Kazuyoshi Matsunaga signed on behalf of the Japanese Government, with the Director General of

CVFF: Saraki Gives Assurance on Disbursement of $350m ... Describes Delay as National Shame

The Minister   of State for Transport, Senator Gbemi Saraki, last Friday gave a firm promise on the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) to indigenous shipping community, saying her Ministry will work with the National Assembly for the disbursement of the fund which value is now put at $350million. She described as disheartening and national shame the fact that the disbursement has taken this long since the passage of the Cabotage Shipping law in 2003. Saraki who spoke during a media briefing in Lagos after a one week tour of Lagos seaports and other facilities under her Ministry, said the fund remains intact contrary to speculations that it may have been misappropriated. She gave insight on the current stage of the disbursement efforts, adding that guidelines for the exercise have been set for presentation to the National Assembly for final approval. She assured that the Ministry has the political will to disburse the fund. “It is really very disheartening that th

NSC Set For 16th Maritime Seminar for Judges

Th e Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute is set to host the 16th edition of the International Maritime Seminar for Judges. The event, which would be under the chairmanship of His Lordship, Hon. Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour CFR, retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. In a statement originating  from the Head of Public Relations of the NSC, Rakiya Dhikru-Yagboyaju, the seminar will take place at Ladi Kwali Centre, Sheraton Abuja Hotel, from 5th – 7th July, 2022. The statement explained the importance of the seminar and why the ports economic regulator is organising it.  The statement reads, “As the industry arbiter, it is the mandate of the Council to ensure judicial officers, legal and maritime practitioners as well as Legal Advisers and in-house counsel in the employ of public and private sectors of the economy are abreast of contemporary issues in this special areas of the law that has to do with adjudication on maritime matters&quo

Operation Free The Ports Commences …. PSTT Set To Rid Shanties And Corruption off Port Corridors

In its bid to get rid the port corridors of corruption, shanties, illegal parking of trucks and trading along the Lagos Port corridors, the Federal Government through the Ports Standing Task Team (PSTT) has flagged off the ‘Second Phase’ of the Operation Free The Ports Corridor in Lagos. Speaking at t he event, the Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki who was represented by the  Deputy Director, Maritime Services at the Transport Ministry, Mr. Adams Ofie    commended all port stakeholders for their roles in ensuring the modest success recorded by the ‘Phase 1 of the operations and the Ports Standing Task Team (PSTT), for the initiative. She  however, noted that efforts would have to be intensified to attain more successes in the new phase of the operation. In his welcome address at the occasion, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Hon. Emmanuel Jime expresses his delight at the effort of Port Standing Task Team. He recall that, “In April

SON Laments Absence At Ports -As It Destroyed Cable Wire, Tyres And Others Products in Lagos

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has lamented the agency's absence in the port, as it seized and destroy thousands of substandard imported goods which include, Electric Cables, Engine OiL LPG, Gas Cylinders, Stuffed new Tyres, Substandard and unapproved Cigarettes and substandard low-grade Roofing Sheets. While briefing newsmen at the destruction ground in Lagos on Wednesday, the Director General of SON, Farouk A. Salim, lamented the absence of SON at the ports, stating that the goods could have been intercepted on arrival at the ports if SON was stationed inside the ports as customs officers according to him are only trained to collect revenue, and not to spot fake imported products. The DG SON said he is unhappy that a few Nigerians sometimes in collusion with foreigners continue to endanger the lives and properties of our people in the quest to acquire wealth, thus negatively affecting the Nation’s economy. According to him, Slated products for destruction include su

Saraki Tours NIMASA Facilities, Urges Synergy Among Maritime Agencies

The Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki had embarked on a tour of facilities and assets of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). Assets inspected included the NIMASA Command, Control and Computer Centre (C4i), the NIMASA Modular Floating Dockyard, the NIMASA E-library and Vessels belonging to the Agency undergoing dry docking at the Naval Dockyard Victoria Island. The Honorable Minister, who expressed delight at the equipment and assets of NIMASA stated that it underscores the importance the Federal Government attaches to combating maritime crimes and ensuring zero tolerance for illegal activities on the nation’s territorial waters. She commended the synergy and collaboration amongst Agencies of Government in the maritime sector for the fact that Nigeria has witnessed piracy free waters since 2022. In her words,  “for over 28 years, we have been in the press for the wrong reasons, over the piracy issues at the Gulf of Guine

PMAWCA: Bello-Koko, Joins other African Port leaders To Chart Ways Forward For Maritime Industry

From left: MD, NPA,, Mohammed Bello- Koko, DG Ghana Ports and Habours Authority and President PMAWCA, Michael Luguje, Secretary General PMAWCA, Jean Marie-Koffi and DG, Port of Guinee Conakry, Mamadou Biro Diallo at the opening ceremony of the Board of Directors meeting of the  PMAWCA, holding in Tema, Ghana. The Managing Director Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, Mohammed Bello Koko, Director General, Ghana Ports and Habours Authority and President Port Management Association of West and Central Africa PMAWCA Michael Luguje, the notable industry leaders currently discussing the future of maritime industry in Africa. The event is the meeting of the Board of Directors of the PMAWCA, currently holding in Tema, Ghana. The NPA-boss insists that deploying modern port infrastructure across all the segments of the industry in addition to robust automation of the ports systems remain the most viable option for seaports in the West and Central African sub-region and indeed Africa as a whole to comp

Gbemisola Saraki Tours Ports, Supports Infrastructural Overhauling at Tin Can Port

The Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki on Monday started a tour of the Lagos ports during which she gave her support for ports infrastructure overhaul at the Tin Can Island port. Senator Saraki during her tour said she was in full support of the reconstruction of the quay walls. In her words, “We cannot build on a weak foundation, it is vital that we get these two very important ports modernised and ready to berth modern vessels. The state of the ports show decades of neglect but it’s better late than never". It would be recalled that the NPA Managing Director, Mohammed Bello Koko had told newsmen recently that the authority was planning reconstruction of the Quay walls of the TinCan Island Port Complex. Bello Koko said this was because the walls have become weak.

WRECK REMOVAL: NIMASA SET TO CONDUCT POST IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON BADAGRY CREEKS

    The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA has commenced preparatory works to deploy high - resolution magnetometer to validate the on going wreck removal exercise of all identified wrecks listed for removal along the Badagry Creek in Lagos.   The  Director General of the  Agency,  Dr Bashir Jamoh who according to  release signed by Osagie Edward, the Assistant Director, Public Relaions   disclosed this during a review session of the ongoing wreck removal exercise by the Agency also stated that the impact of the entire exercise on the marine environment is being assessed by the Agency.   “We shall also conduct a full bottom sweeping operation by deploying sonar imagery system with a view to establishing any existing natural or artificial obstacles lying on the seabed within the area of survey for this phase of the wreck removal exercise. NIMASA is also taking into consideration, the impact of the entire operations on the marine environment with a view to  ensuri

Maritime Security: NIMASA Takes Delivery of 2 UAS, 9 Boats, 10 Armoured Vehicles

  The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has taken delivery of additional mobile assets for enhanced maritime security under the deep blue project.   The assets, comprising of two unmanned aircraft system, 9 interceptor patrol boats and 10 armoured vehicles have been added to the existing assets earlier procured by the Federal Government and commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari last year.   Dr. Bashir Jamoh, Director General of NIMASA, while thanking President Buhari for his sustained support in the fight against sea piracy and other maritime crimes said the additional equipment will improve on the gains recorded in securing the Gulf of Guinea and Nigerian maritime domain.   Jamoh who described the recently held Gulf of Guinea Maritime Collaboration Forum (GOG-MCF/SHADE) in Abuja as a success in rallying international support in the suppression of maritime crimes , added that Nigeria's commitment in regional maritime security will always be sustained.

Apapa Customs Intercepts 20ft Container Of Tramadol

Compt Yusuf Malanta Ibrahim (3rd from left) and the Apapa Commander of NDLEA, Mr Ameh Inalogwu displaying the seized tramadol on Friday The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service on Friday announced seizure of a 1x20ft container of Tramadol. The drugs according to the Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Malanta Ibrahim Yusuf, were laden in a 20ft container with numbers; PCIU 0183241falsely declared as Static Converter and Switches. While showcasing the seizure to journalists, Malanta said the command also intercepted another container with numbers; TCKU7580597 transiting to Kano Inland Container Terminal ladened with used clothing but manifested as Installation Fitting materials. Compt Malanta said the port of origin of the Tramadol is Singapore, but that in order to cover up their tracks, the importers moved the cargo from one country to another including Hong Kong and China. Giving a breakdown of the contents of the container, the customs boss said the container contain