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NIMASA Moves To Ensure Compliance With Ports Regulations

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13 years ago

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In line with the mandate to ensure that Terminal Operators, Stevedoring Contractors and Dockworkers comply with existing regulations and standards as stipulated in Part VII Section 1a, c and d of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Act of 2003, the agency has commenced a routine audit of the level of compliance in the Eastern ports.

In a letter written to the Ports & Terminal Operators (Nig) Limited (PTO) Controlling Terminal A, Rivers Ports and Patrade Nigeria Limited, the employer of Tally Clerks/Security men, signed by O. A. Abass, NIMASA Eastern Zonal Co-ordinator, and made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt on Monday, PTO has been urged to forward to the office of the zonal co-ordinator (EZ) within one week a comprehensive list of dockworkers employed by them, copy of the wages sheet and bank schedules from January 2011 to February 2012.

Others are evidence of NSITF registration and deductions/contributions made on behalf of dockworkers, the total amount accrued to each dockworker as at February 2012, evidence of current medical retainership and list of the statutory 0.5 per cent deductions to the agency and evidence of insurance policy and workman compensation for dockworkers.

PTO was also urged to henceforth submit copies of the monthly wages sheets and bank schedules to the Maritime Labour Services Pool Office in Port Harcourt at the end of the first week of every month and that NIMASA labour inspectors would be visiting their offices regularly for routine inspections.

In case of Patrade Nig. Ltd, the company was found wanting in late payment of dockworkers’ monthly wages, provision of Medical Insurance for dockworkers, provision of Life Insurance/Workmen Compensation for workers, Provision of Ambulance and daily bussing in and out for workers, provision of complete sets of personal protective equipment for dockworkers under their engagement, implementation of the 15 per cent increase to applicable rates, provision of current identity cards for workers and provision of evidence of NSITF/Pension deductions.

In view of the above anomalies, the company was advised to immediately rectify the identified deficiencies on or before April 5, 2012 or face cancellation of revocation of their licence for contravening the NIMASA Act 2007.

Efforts to contact the Managing Directors of the respective companies failed as they were not on seat when The Tide visited for their comments.

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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7 days ago

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June 27, 2025

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The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure  and equipment  modernization drive  with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the  clearing  of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying,  “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President  of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

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7 days ago

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June 27, 2025

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National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement 

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7 days ago

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June 27, 2025

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In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of  NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the  Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu
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