Maritime

Retirees Send SOS To Jonathan

Published

16 years ago

July 9, 2010

Nigerian Ports Authority retirees of 1991 have appealed for President Goodluck Jonathan’s intervention over the non-payment of their terminal benefits.

The retirees lamented that nearly 20 years after they were unlawfully retrenched, the management of the authority has not given them their statutory rights as its former employees.

Speaking to The Tide in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, one of the affected retirees who preferred anonymity said many of their colleagues have lost their lives, children, with wards thrown out of schools and homes as they could no longer meet their basic responsibilities over the years.

In a save our souls’ (SOS) letter addressed to President Jonathan, he said, the 1991 retirees of NPA said their appointments were unlawfully terminated on June 10, 1991 by NPA without compliance with the federal government circular on pensions and gratuity.

According to him, the content of the letter states that the federal government circular supersedes any circular of NPA in the event of any conflict. Noting that the federal government had on September 13, 1991 issued a circular No. B.632 16/S.1/X/618 through the Federal Ministry of Establishment to all federal ministries and all federal parastatals on pension review.

“This circular took effect from January 1,1991. The circular ref No B. 632/6/S.1/x/618 of September 13, 1991 as the amendment of the pension act of 1990 and the federal government official gazette No. 98 volume 69, amendment act 1982, and NPA condition of service. At this time, the circular has duly covered us while in service.

“The circular stipulates that we are entitled to pension and gratuity. That is pension for those of us who served the authority for a period of 10 years and above but less than 15 years, and gratuity for those who served the authority for a period of 5 years and above but less than 10 years.

The retirees expressed dismay that a demand for the payment of their entitlement was not accepted by the management of the authority over the years despite repeated appeals to several quarters.

“We consider it a denial of our entitlement and had no alternative than to go to court because we could not have wasted more time since NPA is a statutory body to avoid time barred. We instituted suit No LD/1827/92 to secure the payment of our entitlement from NPA. The conclusion of the trial by the Hon. Justice A.R.A Shaid of the Lagos High Court was on July 12, 1996 was in favour of the retrenched staff.

“The court had declared that pension and redundancy be paid to those of us who served NPA for years and above but less than 15 years and gratuity for those of us who served for 5 years above but less than 10 years. Let us make it abundantly clear to the general public that NPA management and its board never intended to pay our entitlements, hence, the refusal and denial of same 19 years after disengagement despite court judgement and all ministerial directives for our payment”, they said.

The former employees of the authority said the management of NPA refused to honour the judgement of the high court against the judgement in suit No. CA/L/42597.

“This appeal was on February 16, 1998 dismissed for want of diligent prosecution. The NPA and its board ignored all communication from our lawyer, Mr. Makinde, for modalities to settle the retirees and went ahead to institute a fresh suit NO. LD/1021/99; this time to set aside the judgement of Justice A.R.A Shaid of Lagos High Court.

This new suit was dismissed our lawyer wrote again to NPA notifying it of the dismissed suit NPA went to Appeal Court in suit NO CA/L99/2002 and the appeal was allowed, so we went to Supreme Court in suit No SC/190/2003. The judgement of this suit was on May 11, 2007 in favour of the retrenched staff. This judgement of the Supreme Court affirmed the judgement of the court of Lagos by Hon. Justice Shaid. Yet NPA refuses to pay till date.”

“As a result of this the retrenched staff went to the Senate with an appeal to the Committee on Establishment and Public Services. The Senate directed the managing director to comply based on the Supreme Court judgement. They refused to obey. We went to Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Alhaji Mohammed Adoke’s office with an appeal.

“The minister wrote to the Managing Director of NPA advising NPA to comply immediately with the judgement. Yet it refused to obey. We do not know who is standing against our payment or where NPA gets its strength for what it is doing,” the aggrieved former employees added in their letter to Jonathan.

Maritime

Maritime PCRC Seeks Intelligence Sharing With Western Ports Police

Published

3 days ago

February 9, 2026

The Tide

The Maritime Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has called for stronger intelligence sharing and collaboration with the Ports Authority Police (Western) Command to enhance security across Nigeria’s Western ports.

The called was made during the official visit by members, Maritime PCRC to Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja, at the Command Headquarters in Lagos.

The visit was aimed at deepening the partnership between the Nigeria Police Force and port stakeholders through the PCRC, while reinforcing community-based policing as a strategy for safeguarding critical national assets and port facilities.

Speaking during the visit Chairman, Maritime PCRC, Elder Udoh George, commended the Commissioner of Police Oluwatoyin Agbaminoja for her proactive leadership and professionalism in maintaining security within the port environment. He noted that intelligence-driven policing remains critical to crime prevention in the maritime sector, stressing that the Committee is ready to support the Command through timely information sharing and stakeholder engagement.

According to him, the PCRC will continue to work closely with the police in crime prevention, intelligence gathering and community mobilisation, in order to promote peace and operational efficiency at the ports.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Police Agbaminoja appreciated the visit and described the PCRC as a vital bridge between the police and the port community.

She said effective policing thrives on trust, cooperation and the active participation of stakeholders.

Oluwatoyin assured the Committee of the Command’s readiness to sustain collaboration, noting that consistent engagement with port users and adjoining communities is key to maintaining security, orderliness and uninterrupted port operations.

By: CHINEDU WOSU

Maritime

Customs Hands Over Seized Cannabis Worths N4.7bn To NDLEA

Published

3 days ago

February 9, 2026

The Tide

The Customs Command in Tincan Island, Lagos, has handed over 2,366 packs of cannabis indica, valued at over N4.7 billion, to the NDLEA.

The seizure comprised of a 40-feet container holding 55 jumbo bags of cannabis indica intercepted during routine enforcement operations at the port.

Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, disclosed this in a Statement issued by the Command’s Spokesperson Oscar Ivara.and copied Newsmen

Speaking during the handover, Onyeka said officers acted in line with global standards on border protection and public safety.

“Today, we inform you of developments in securing our borders, aligning with the 2026 International Customs Day theme of vigilance and commitment,” he said.

Onyeka said the container was examined on Jan. 28, 2026 alongside NDLEA and DSS operatives, following intelligence-led profiling.

“A 40-feet container was found to contain 2,366 packs in 55 jumbo bags of cannabis indica,” he said.

He added that officers also discovered a Colt MK IV .45 calibre pistol with an empty magazine inside the container.

According to him, three used vehicles were deployed to conceal the prohibited items, including a Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Sienna and Toyota Matrix.

“Interestingly, we apprehended one suspect in connection with the seizure,” Onyeka said.

He warned that Customs would not tolerate drug smuggling or transnational crime threatening national security and public health.

Receiving the consignment, NDLEA Commander, Solomon Omotoso, commended Customs for strong inter-agency collaboration.

Omotoso assured that the NDLEA would intensify investigations and prosecution in line with existing laws.

By: CHINEDU WOSU

Maritime

Customs Hands Over Three 21 Ft Containers of Expired Drugs To NAFDAC

Published

3 days ago

February 9, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Customs Service, Tincan Island command, has handed over Three Containers of expired drugs drugs to NAFDAC.

Customs Area Controller at Tincan Island, Comptroller Frank Onyeka disclosed this during the formal handover in Lagos

According to him,”Today marks the formal handover of three 20ft containers of expired pharmaceutical products to NAFDAC for appropriate regulatory action,”

Onyeka explained that two containers, numbered PONU031958/6 and MSKU711656/0, were found to contain expired Tramadol tablets.

He said detailed examination revealed that one container held 86 cartons of Vingil Tramadol BP 50mg, while the second contained 250 cartons of the same expired product.

The third container, MSKU413519/1, contained 370 cartons of expired Diclofenac Sodium BP 50mg tablets without a valid NAFDAC registration number.

“This consignment is illegal and dangerous for public consumption,” Onyeka warned, stressing the public health risk posed by such drugs.

Beyond seizures, Onyeka said Tincan Island Customs had improved cargo examinations, intelligence gathering, and enforcement operations to intercept prohibited and falsely declared goods.

“The Command proactively intercepts controlled pharmaceuticals, arms, ammunition, narcotics, and items threatening public safety and economic stability,”

Onyeka reaffirmed the command’s commitment to public health and national security, pledging a tougher crackdown on illicit drugs across the nation.

On his achievements, he said the Command enforced the anti-smuggling drive, safeguarding public health and national security.

He explained that enforcement is strengthened while facilitating legitimate trade, contributing significantly to revenue generation, in line with Customs’ core mandate.

“These achievements result from discipline, integrity, and strong inter-agency collaboration,” he added, highlighting the strategies behind successful operations.

Onyeka commended NAFDAC for its cooperation, noting that their synergy helps prevent fake, substandard, and expired drugs from reaching the public.

He assured that collaboration with NAFDAC would continue to intercept dangerous pharmaceuticals before they enter the Nigerian market.

Onyeka lauded the officers for their dedication, describing their efforts as key to the command’s credibility and operational effectiveness.

He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for leadership and reforms empowering customs operations nationwide.

“Our command will not relent in combating illicit trade and enforcing compliance with existing laws,” Onyeka said.

He promised continued collaboration with sister agencies to safeguard lives and property across Nigeria.

Receiving the drugs, NAFDAC Chief Regulatory Officer, Kareem Adekunle, said the expired products would be destroyed by burning.

Adekunle commended Customs for their exemplary collaboration and pledged continued partnership to protect Nigerians’ health.

By: CHINEDU WOSU