Transport
Stakeholders Caution Traffic Agencies Against Public Outcry
The statutory agencies responsible for traffic management and control in Rivers State have been reminded that ill-gotten wealth does not pay and should therefore work with a human face.
This advice was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a one-day joint interactive session between the Police, Rivers State Road Traffic Management Authority (TIMARIV), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) organised by the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Port Harcourt Area Command, held at the Police Officers Mess, Old GRA, Port Harcourt yesterday.
The nine-point Communique said the call was necessary inorder to ensure that the efforts of Rivers State Government in wooing investors and providing a conducive atmosphere to do business in the state was not in vain.
It said all actions taken by the various agencies to minimise public out cry and forestall the breakdown of law and order should be taken seriously, and called on them to be transparent in their dealings with the public up to the grassroot, adding that the public must be enlightened on the fines applicable to each offence and enlightened also on adequate road signs as well as the rule and regulations on the road.
The communiqué enjoined the public to co-operate with the traffic management authorities by knowing and obeying traffic rules and regulations and reporting erring officers to the appropriate authorities for disciplinary measures.
“As is to be expected, there are bad eggs in these organisations and each organisation is working at flushing them out,” it stated, and stressed the need for the agencies to liaise with the state government to provide packing lanes on the roads.
It lauded the Port Harcourt Area Command of PCRC for enabling stakeholders reason together on ways and means of letting the public know the provisions of the law establishing TIMARIV with a view to dousing ill feelings towards the organisation and engendering co-operation.
The communiqué was signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Mr Thomas Etomi for the commissioner of police, Mr Muhammed Ndabawa, Mr Confidence Eke for the Controller-General, TIMARIV, Dr. Nelson Jaja, Mr. S. Okey Ordu for the sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps, Chief .S.O .Dappa, State Chief Vehicle Inspecting Officer (VIO), the Port Harcourt Area Commander of Nigeria Police, Bello Makwashi and the Chairman, PCRC Area Command, Mr Godfrey Agorom.
Transport
Immigration Steps Up Anti-Touting Vigilance
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Passports Command, Ikoyi, has increased its surveillance on touting in a bid to check extortion within its jurisdiction.
Speaking in an exclusive chat with The Tide in Lagos, last Friday, the Immigration Comptroller, Passports Office, Ikoyi, Lagos, Deputy Comptroller Liman A.I , said the negative impact of touting on the nation’s economy would not be allowed to continue under his watch.
He said ,”we are applying persuasion, dialogue and seeking the support of all well meaning stakeholders in this area to spread the anti-touting message and dissuade people from unlawful acts. However, we could apply coercive power as the need arises.
“With the selfless leadership shown by the Comptroller General, Alhaji Mohammed Babandede, we at the PCO, Ikoyi, Lagos, have decided to re-dedicate ourselves to duty and complement the efforts of the CGIS.
“We are prepared more than ever to wage the anti-miscreants war relentlessly.
Liman assured the general public of friendly environment for legitimate transaction in an effort to strengthen the national economy, warning deviants to shun touting and other related vices.
According to him, “the command has keyed into the various strategies including the use of ICT in gathering of intelligence, among others.
“The service believes that the fight against miscreants within its corridor cannot be undertaken by the service alone, hence our call on Nigerians to partner with us in ensuring that the passport seekers do not patronise touts to defraud them. Our resolve is unshaken and our commitment is total”.
On her part, the Public Relations Officer of the command, a Deputy Superintendent of Immigration (DSI), Mrs Adetoun Shiyindemi, commended the Deputy Comptroller Liman, for his selfless service, pointing out that he has really given the officers and men of the command a sense of belonging.
“Since the Comptroller came in, it has been a servant-leader relationship here at Ikoyi PCO and we are all motivated to put in our best with what the CGIS has given us, you will see a new immigration service”, she assured.
By: NkpemenyieMcdominic, Lagos
Maritime
Union Urges NIMASA, RSG To Dredge PH/Bonny Jetty
The Bonny Maritime Transport Association (BMTA) has called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Rivers State Government to dredge the Port Harcourt/Bonny Jetty to enhance marine operations.
The union said the low shore of the river hampers its operations and grounds boats.
The Marine Safety Officer, BMTA, Comrade Kings Don, who made the call, said the low shore of the jetty was not helpful to marine operations.
According to him, drivers and passengers find it difficult to ply the route whenever the tide is low, thus wasting man hours.
“Sometimes, we push the boat to a level it would afloat due to low tide suffered in the jetty. We are appealing to NIMASA and the state government to assist and dredge the jetty for more efficiency”, he pleaded.
Don described the Port Harcourt/Bonny Jetty as the gateway to Bonny Island and other riverine communities, and called on NIMASA and the state government to intervene and make the marine sector viable in the area.
He said that the prompt dredging of the jetty would enhance water transportation in the state and improve its revenue generation.
He, however, commended the security agents, especially the Nigerian Navy and the marine police, for rescuing the waterways and creeks from all forms of criminality.
Comrade Don appealed to the security agents to engage in 24-hour patrol of the routes and other channels to save lives and property.
By: Chinedu Wosu
Maritime
Boat Mishaps: Ship Owner Blames Absence Of Safety Regulations
A renowned ship owner in the country, Alhaji Aminu Umar, has decried lack of standardisation and enforcement of safety measures on the nation’s inland waterways by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
He also blamed lack of will to enforce regulations, safety, standard and regulations on overloading, night voyage, rickety and old craft as causes of mishap on the inland waterways.
Alhaji Umar, who is a former president, Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), said in Minna, Niger State, recently that enforcement of safety and standard on the nation’s inland waterways was weak.
Reacting to incessant boat mishaps in the country, Umar said, “there is no standard applied on movement of people, as all kinds of boat are being used. It is important that we standardise, because lack of safety and standard will increase accident.
“I think, the task of NIWA is to standardise conditions and procedures on the nation’s waterways”.
He also called for the regulation of movement of badges and passenger boats across the port environment.
“It’s a huge risk allowing badges moving containers around the port area side by side with boats carrying passengers.
“Moving people and containers at the same time is a huge risk, and a safety concern.
“NIWA and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) should see to this and tackle the menace”, he said.
-
Business4 days ago
MOWCA Strengthens Maritime Crime Prevention
-
News4 days ago
Emulate Otti, Obey Court Order Stopping Pension To Ex-Govs, SERAP, OBJ Tell Tinubu, Govs
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
Group Commences Mangrove Restoration Initiative In Cross River Communities
-
Sports2 days ago
Tornadoes Fight-Back To Stun Shooting Stars
-
Rivers3 hours ago
PH NiMECHE Inaugurates 9th Executive
-
Editorial4 days ago
Delta Killings: Need For Caution
-
Rivers4 days ago
Show Example In Leadership, Cleric Urges Nigerian Leaders
-
Niger Delta2 days ago
Diri Appoints New SSG, CoS, Retains CPS