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Bayelsa, NAOC To Partner On Agric Dev

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Following the numerous agricultural programmes initiated by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) towards boosting food production in the Niger Delta region, the Bayelsa State Government has expressed willingness to collaborate with the multinational, with a view to enhancing agricultural development in the state.
The Governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor, John Jonah, disclosed this during the 21st Farmers Day celebration of NAOC – Green River Project (GRP), with the theme “GRP actively leading the fortune of the Nigeria Delta”, held at Igbogene, Bayelsa State, last Saturday.
The governor commended NAOC for diversifying their operation from oil to the soil, also embarking on agricultural value-chain that has boosted food security in its host states.
He said that the State has embarked on laudable agricultural initiatives, which include cassava farm at Oloibiri, fish farm, rice farm at Peremabiri among others, adding that the State government is prepared to partner NAOC to boost the agricultural potentials of the State.
In his speech, NAOC’s General Manager district, Marco Rotondi, expressed the need for Nigeria to diversify its economy to agriculture, saying that it is on this premise that the initiative is focused on making it attractive and accessible, as well as encourage the youths and women to embrace modern and mechanized agriculture.
The Vice Chairman/Managing Director, NAOC, Massimo Insulla, stated that for the past 30 years GRP had been a prime source of employment and improvement of the standard of living for the respective host communities and had served as a veritable tool for sustainable development and food sufficiency.
The farmers’ day celebration had offered the platform to individual farmers, farmers’ co-operative society and Agro-Allied organizations not only to showcase their products, produce and services, also to interact with other agriculture stakeholders, he said.
The Chairman, NAOC/AENR/NAE, Umberto Carrara expressed gratitude that the objective of the scheme to introduce and expose host communities to modern technique of farming had been achieved.
The Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Otuoke, Prof. Seth Accra-Jaja, noted that the GRP initiative is capable of leading Nigeria’s agricultural development.
He said that the University has embarked on agricultural programmes, such as incentive share lending, growth enhancement scheme, agric resilience scheme and field alternative scheme, among others.
The Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) represented by Folanke Jolayemi, pledge the support of NAPIMS to the NAOC joint venture GRP in its lead to encourage agricultural best practices in modern farming and improvement of the livelihood of the people.
The Chief Executive Officer, Oando Energy Resources, Pade Durotonye, said the event is geared towards creating awareness on the importance of agriculture in spearheading the socio-economic development and economic diversification of the country.
He posited that the GRP have successfully sensitized community-based farmers on the importance of agriculture through the introduction of high yielding planting materials, fisheries activities and formation of co-operative societies and how to access micro-credit scheme.
Award of excellent and certificate of merit was presented to deserving GRP farmers.
Highlight of the occasion was display of cultural troupes and performance of the dance floor King, Timaya.

Executive Chairman, Rivers State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. T. Adoage Norteh, with Managing Director, Lulu-Briggs Foundation, Dr. (Mrs) Seinye Luku-Briggs, during the induction ceremony of honorary special marshalls of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Port Harcourt, last Saturday.

Executive Chairman, Rivers State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. T. Adoage Norteh, with Managing Director, Lulu-Briggs Foundation, Dr. (Mrs) Seinye Luku-Briggs, during the induction ceremony of honorary special marshalls of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Port Harcourt, last Saturday.

 

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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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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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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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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