Maritime
2015 Polls: Police Assure On Security Of Waterways
The Assistant Inspector
General (AIG) in-charge of Maritime Command, Kalafixe Adeyemi has assured of adequate security of the waterways before, during and after the forthcoming general elections.
Adeyemi gave the assurance during a familiarisation tour of Ports Authority Police, Eastern Ports Command in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Monday.
According to her, the police would continue to proffer solution in containing violence and crisis during the elections as it is also putting in place all logistics in ensuring that the waterways are safer and protected during the exercise.
She reiterated that the police, especially those of the marine department had been adequately repositioned to face the challenges of possible security threats that might arise on the waterways during the elections.
The AIG Maritime Command said, “my men, especially the marine police are up and doing. They have been patrolling the waterways and we have been lecturing our men to be of good behaviour and I know they are going to perform well.
We are out to do our jobs and to be on steady patrol of the waterways. We have the capacity to face whatever challenges that may confront us”.
Adeyemi disclosed that the tour being a directive from the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba was to further strategise on how to provide all necessary needs before the elections, and that the Eastern Ports Command needed such urgent attention that the police is ready to look into, and charged all to be of good conduct before, during and after the polls.
“It is time to make sure that the men are well kitted and provided for logistically. Once again I am here to encourage them and tell them to be of good behaviour as to contribute their own quota to the success of the forthcoming elections”, she opined.
She however expressed optimism that the police would live up to expectation during the polls and further charged them to brace-up for whatever challenges in their constitutional duties.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police, Eastern Command, Mr James Caulcuick commended the AIG on the visit and disclosed that the command is being faced with operational vehicles, inadequate arms and ammunition to effectively police the ports and patrol the waterways, lack of patrol gunboats, accommodation for officers and men of the command, radio transmission network, inadequate staff and welfare packages, among others.
Caulcuick assured that with these provisions, they would perform their duties effectively with God on their side.
Also speaking, the Acting General Manager, Eastern Ports, Lawrence Alabi decried the reported incessant attacks by sea pirates robbers on the waterways, and called on the police authority to equip the marine police and provide conducive platform for them to meet up the challenges.
He also thanked the AIG, Maritime Police Command for her visit to get first hand information on the operations and challenges of the police at the ports in Eastern command.
Similarly, the AIG, Maritime Command, Mrs Adeyemi also paid familiarization visit to the Onne Port Complex Police Command.
Collins Barasimeye/Tammy Epelle
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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