Maritime
Adviser Commends Trawler Crew On Successful Voyage
The Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor, on
agriculture and deep sea fishing, Hon Kurotamunoye Briggs has commended the
crew members of the state-owned fishing trawler boats MV RV on their successful
third voyage and large catch of fish and other sea foods.
Hon Briggs made the commendation while receiving a
delegation from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development led
by a consultant with the ministry, Mrs Olalade Adegoke at the Borikiri Fishing
Terminal recently.
The Special Adviser, who also commended the management of
Petroquip Nigeria Limited, a core-investor at the terminal disclosed that the
state government is in synergy with an
Israeli firm that is currently
building farms at Buguma, in Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Ubima in Ikwerre
LGA and Andoni in Andoni Local Government Area.
According to him, the project when completed would create employment, generate revenue and
meet the growing fish demands of the state.
While appreciating the efforts of the crew of the trawler
boat, MV RV2 for the large catch also advised them to be safety conscious by
making use of the safety equipment provided by the state government.
He thanked the state governor for deliberately giving
agriculture, especially Agriculture and Deep Sea Fishing its rightful place in
the scheme of things and also lauded other delegates, which include Mrs Kaine
Ladapo from the Federal Department of fisheries, Mr C.I. Jiloge, the SS Regional
Officer, Mr Tommy Udo-ine, Mr R.A. Dick, Mr Nelson Nwakawas, and Mr Bamagmoye
Ojo, all of the Federal Department of fisheries, Abuja for finding time to
visit the state and see things for themselves.
In her response, the leader of the delegation, Mrs Adegoke
said the agricultural transformation agenda is a policy geared towards creating
employment and income generation, and hailed the management of Petroquip Nig
Ltd and the crew of RV2 for their successful voyage and enjoined them to keep
up the tempo.
In his remarks, captain Eleyi Elias, who spoke on behalf of
Petroquip Nig Ltd thanked all for the opportunity given to Petroquip and
reiterated that they would not rest on their oasis until fish sufficiency at an
affordable rate is achieved in the state.
The special Adviser and the delegates were later conducted
round the cool rooms of the trawler that brought nine tones 460 bags of fish,
and nine baskets of tiger prawns with a market value of N3 million.
Collins Barasimeye
Maritime
Illegal Migration: NIS, NIWA Move To Strengthen Partnership
Following the spate of illegal migration into the country by migrants, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have concluded plans to strengthen their partnership to curb illegal migration through the Lagos State waterways.
The plan to deepen partnership was discussed when the new Comptroller of Immigration Service in charge of Lagos Seaports and Marine Command, CIS Joseph Dada, visited the NIWA, Lagos Area Manager, Mrs Sarat Braimah in Lagos.
Speaking at the visit, Dada said the service would fare better in achieving its mandate with a strategic partnership with the waterways regulator.
“We have some challenges on the waterways, even though we do patrols. Collaborating with NIWA will guarantee stronger waterway operations.
“We are not saying people shouldn’t migrate or ‘japa’ from Nigeria. Migration is part of life and people have a right to seek greener pastures.
“However, they must do it the right way. They have to get their passports, visas and travel through the appropriate channels”, he said.
Dada lamented that several Nigerian ladies are victims of human trafficking for prostitution usually disguised as job offers for care workers abroad.
Also Speaking, Managing Director, NIWA, Mrs Sarat Braimah, welcomed the idea of strategic collaboration with the NIS, stressing that both agencies are working for the common good of Nigeria and its citizens.
“We expect this collaboration to prohibit illegal migration. Migration is part of life and as you observed earlier, it fosters tourism, culture and development.
“Nonetheless, we will assist the NIS in achieving their objective, which is that people shouldn’t migrate illegally.
“A lot of passengers board ferries from Marina jetty to Badagry and Port Novo. We don’t know their final destination or verify their identity; but we’re open to NIS partnership to carry out migration checks”, she said.
She noted that NIWA could train immigration officials on how to go onboard vessels safely, and also provide boats, lifejackets, among other equipment, when the Immigration make such requests.
Maritime
NPA To Generate N629bn Revenue In 2024 -MD
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says the authority will generate N629.89 billion in 2024.
NPA is also seeking for N200 billion loan from Afrexim Bank for ports development.
Managing Director, NPA, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, stated this while defending the 2024 budget before the House of Representatives Committee on Ports and Harbours in Abuja.
He said the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF) was also listed as one of the financial institutions from which to source the loan.
Koko said the total projected expenditure was N464.32 billion, while the operating expenses were projected at N212.03 billion and the capital expenditure stood at N252.29 billion.
“Part of the main trust of the 2024 budget is the urgent need to rehabilitate, reconstruct and moderate the dilapidated port infrastructure facilities”, he stated.
The Managing Director said defects in the facilities were hampering efficiency and productivity in the ports, saying that the defects include the quay walls and the replacement of old gravity walls.
According to him, another is need for rehabilitation of Escravos breakwaters.
“This is aimed at improving port efficiency and increasing cargo traffic through investment funding from the financiers, UKEF and Afrexim”, he said.
Earlier, Chairman of the committee, Nnolin Nnaji, said the agency is very dear to the country, hence the need for the committee to visit some of the facilities outside Lagos.
“We need to see those things you are telling us. The House of Representatives is very serious about budget defence, while they do screening on the other side, budget defence is here”, he said.
He commended the Managing Director for the budget presentation, saying that he believed in the subsequent budget
“We accept this budget, and we will move further with it”, he assured.
The lawmaker also said the drainage channels were full of wreckages and expressed concern over lack of information on wreckage removal.
Nnaji noted that as long as the NPA avoided the wreckage, it will keep occurring because of the abandoned ships facilities.
Maritime
COWA Distributes Food Items To Members In Abuja
In a bid to cushion the hardship and hunger faced by ordinary Nigerians, the Customs Officer’s’ Wives Association (COWA) has distributed food items to its members in Karu Customs Barracks, Abuja.
National President, COWA, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, who flagged off the exercise, said the distribution of the food items was part of COWA’s plans to ease life for its members.
“This is not the first time COWA is conducting this initiative of distributing food items to the members and non-members of the association, and we decided to distribute these items considering the season of Ramadan.
“Everything we are doing now is for you. Please register so we can make provision for all of you. This will help us keep proper data of everyone and we will continue doing this subsequently to alleviate the situation”, Adeniyi said.
She further said food items were also being distributed to COWA members across all Customs formations in the country.
Some of the food items distributed include rice, spaghetti, noodles and cooking oil.
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