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Sea Pirates Cause Lull In Marine Transport – Chairman

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There has been a lull in
Marine transportation business due to the activities and incessant attacks by sea pirates along the sea routes and creeks of Bonny, Kula in Rivers State and Brass, Nembe, Ayatoru in neighbouring Bayelsa State.
The Chairman, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Nembe waterfront unit, Comrade David Teke dropped the hint in a chat with The Tide correspondent in his office in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Teke said passengers and even the drivers of the speedboats plying these riverine communities are always scared of being attacked, as anytime these hoodlums strike, they made away with the speed boat, properties of the passengers after disembarking them at the mangrove, while some whom they perceived as known faces were shot dead or maimed.
He said the situation had been worrisome as a result of no security gun boats along these waterways.
According to him, it would have been worst if the earlier scheduled tomorrow’s election would have taken place as most of the speedboat operators were ready to decline conveying election personnel or materials to the riverine communities for fear of being attacked by the sea pirates or political thugs.
“Although, we are going to vote for the candidate of our choice on that day, but we cannot guarantee providing speedboats for electoral exercise, except adequate security arrangement was made by the authorities and our safety assured”, Teke opined.
The Nembe unit marine transport boss disclosed that in January this year,  there was an attack at kilometer 60, but the smart driver was able to meander his boat into another creek where he now called for rescue team from the base here at Nembe waterfront that went and brought them to Port Harcourt.
He disclosed that as they were coming with the displaced passengers and the boat, the sea pirates attacked them again but fortunately, no life or property was lost as they could not succeed.
The Comrade however, also hinted that one of their speedboats that was snatched away by sea pirates last year was recovered at Abonnema, and the culprits nabbed but later released by the Joint Taskforce without proper investigations.
According to him, the speedboat was later brought to Nembe waterfront and the case reported to the Police in Nembe, Bayelsa State and later transferred to Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS in Rivers State for proper action.
“My plea with the government is that they should provide adequate security operatives of the Marine Police and the Navy and equip them with sophisticated weapons to face the fire power of these bad boys,” he posited.

 

Collins Barasimeye

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Maritime

NSEMA Blames Boat Mishap On Overloading 

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The Management of Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has attributed the recent boat mishap that claimed the lives of over 29 passengers to overloading.
Director General of the Agency, Abdullahi Baba Arah, disclosed this during an interview with newsmen in Minna.
Arah stated that preliminary findings showed that the mishap was caused by overloading and a collision with a submerged tree stump.
“Our desk officer who’s leading the search and rescue operations confirmed that the boat left Tungan Sule with 90 people on board, including women and children, on their way to Dugga for a condolence visit”, he explained.
He disclosed that none of the passengers wore life jackets, despite repeated sensitization and government directives on water safety in the state.
“So far, 29 bodies have been recovered, 50 passengers rescued alive, while two people are still missing”, Arah added.
The Managing Director noted that search and rescue operations were still ongoing to recover the remaining victims.
“At least 29 people have been confirmed dead while several others remain missing after a boat carrying about 90 passengers capsized in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State”, he said.
Arah said the ill-fated boat set out from Tungan Sule in Shagunu Ward, and was heading to Dugga Community for a condolence visit when tragedy struck at Gausawa.
 Eyewitnesses said the vessel was carrying mostly women and children on board and suddenly began to experience difficulties before it eventually capsized.
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Maritime

Customs Records N3.68tn Revenue In First Half, 2025

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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said the Service has recorded a revenue of N3.68 trillion in the first half of 2025.
The Service said the amount surpassed its revenue target by N390.20 billion, equivalent to 11.85 per cent.
Spokesman of NCS Abdullahi Maiwada, made this known in a statement issued to newsmen  in Abuja.
Maiwada said the Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) did a comprehensive review of the revenue, which was announced at its 63rd regular meeting.
The meeting, he said, was chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.
The Spokesman saidthe Board linked the achievement to the effectiveness of NCS`s ongoing reforms, improved compliance by stakeholders and enhanced deployment of technology in Customs operations alongside service’s strengthened capacity in revenue mobilisation.
 Maiwada said, “between 1st January and 30th June, 2025, the Service recorded a total revenue collection of N3,682,496,530,576.48, representing a remarkable performance above expectations.
“In practical terms, this signifies that within six months, the NCS has already achieved 55.93 per cent of its annual revenue target”, he said.
On the Trade Modernisation Project, he said the Board acknowledged milestones recorded, including wider deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) and arrival of six scanners, including an FS6000 model to boost non-intrusive inspection.
Other achievements recorded  by NCS include, procurement of Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) equipment, setup of the Centralised Image Analysis System (CIAS) at Customs Headquarters, and reinforcement of cybersecurity architecture.
The statement said the Board acknowledged that these developments further aligned with Nigeria’s clearance processes with international best practices.
According to Maiwada, the Comptroller-General of NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, congratulated the newly appointed and promoted officers and  urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them.
Adeniyi reaffirmed the service’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity, transparency, and excellence in service delivery, and also appreciated the Minister of Finance for  what called “his continued support and guidance”.
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Maritime

Shippers Partner NAPTIP, MMS Against Human Trafficking 

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Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) says it would partner with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and Money Management Series (MMS) to eliminate human trafficking at Nigeria’s waterways.
The Council said the collaboration would boost surveillance and collaborate with NAPTIP and MMS to combat this economic crime.
Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, NSC, Akutah Pius,  made this known recently to newsmen during an interview.
He said the Council is commitment to supporting the fight against human trafficking, particularly stowaway and related crimes.
Pius assured NAPTIP and MMS of the Council’s readiness to provide necessary support to actualize their aspirations.
Earlier, the Director, NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, outlined the importance of strategic partnerships with agencies such as the NSC in preventing and reporting trafficking activities at the country’s waters.
Bello commended the NSC’s role in overseeing critical gateways to the nation’s trade and transport system.
Also Speaking, member, Women of Fortune Hall of Fame (WOFHoF) initiative, Hajia Lami Tumaka, referenced a report by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that the global shipping industry lost $8.9 million to 364 stowaways between February 2020 and February 2021.
The statistic, she said, underscores the need for collaborative efforts to combat human trafficking.
“The NSC, NAPTIP, and MMS are set to work together to strengthen surveillance and prevent human trafficking at Nigeria’s waterways.
“This partnership aims to protect the nation’s trade and transport system from the scourge of human trafficking”, she stated.
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