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‘PMS, Priority For Nigerian Roads’

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8 years ago

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An expert in building and maintenance of roads, Engineer Benibo Basoene Joshua, says the adoption of Pavement Management System (PMS) in roads maintenance is what Nigeria needs to have durable roads.
Joshua, who stated this recently during the 2nd Rivers-Bayelsa Chapter of the Highway and Transportation Engineers Conference and Annual General Meeting (HTECAGM) of the Nigeria Institute of Highway and Transportation Engineers (NIHTE) in Port Harcourt, noted that the PMS approach was the best for Nigerian roads, particularly in the Niger Delta region.
In a paper titled, “Popular Participation in Promoting Pavement and Asset Management”, Joshua explained, however, that PMS was “a planning tool used to aid pavement management decisions”.
He said the system was preferred globally because “it Gives enhanced decision-making and management of the network assets, using multi-year performance, financial and economic analysis”.
According to him, “The information available to the system is extended and the resultant prediction models further refined and adjusted to reflect actual record with continuous data gathering in each year.
“Using the data gathered from the surveys, the PMS incorporates software specifically designed to use it in analysis and prediction tools for current and future condition, and remaining life prediction.
“Furthermore, modules to assist in evaluating whole life cost analysis for maintenance and construction, deterioration models, assessment of value to the asset, risk-based analysis, and prioritisation according to strategies and available budgets.
“Importantly, the PMS translates condition data to information management”, he said.
The former chairman of several engineering bodies, including Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Port Harcourt Branch, stated further that road pavements in Nigeria, specifically the Niger Delta, do not have what it takes to fit into the PMS currently.
“The condition of our road pavements in the Niger Delta can hardly fit into the PMS model currently being used in advanced countries”, he said.
This, he explained, was because “Our roads lack a number of basic features required for application, and, more so, lack budgetary provision for effective maintenance funding as may be required”.
Beyond this, he stated that road pavements in the Niger Delta were neglected after construction with no road markings, and no minor improvement schemes.
To take care of this and other problems,  Joshua, who was the “Distinguished Lecturer” at the occasion, proffered several solutions which should begin with required attention to roads.
“The network of roads in this country is a valuable asset. Therefore, we should give priority attention to maintenance before it deteriorates into poor state.
“Road pavements have a life span of 20 – 40 years, and we should adopt ‘clinical’ approach to prevent it from dying permanently”, he added.
Highlight of the AGM was the election of a new Executive, which saw the emergence of Engr Nwadike Jones as chairman, Engr Francis Oriakhi as vice chairman, and Engr Nwankwo Felix as general secretary.
Others are: Engr Uduak Asukuo (assistant general secretary), Engr Keka Timothy (financial secretary), Engr Onome Unuavwodo (treasurer), Engr. Oguzie Moses (technical secretary), Engr Uduak Anwankwo (assistant technical secretary), Engr Uzoigwe Paul (PRO), Engr Ezenekwe Obadiah (ex-officio), and Engr Emem Abasiattai (ex-officio).

Soibi Max-Alalibo

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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6 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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6 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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6 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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