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‘Intermodal Transport, Key To Economic Growth’

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7 years ago

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A former Commissioner for Transportation in Lagos State, Prof. Bamidele Badejo, has recommended intermodal transportation system for the country, saying it will reduce the huge money and man-hour spent on road transportation by Nigerians.
Badejo, the Guest Speaker at the TransQuest Media Group 11th anniversary in Lagos last Saturday, said the intermodal system would ensure integrated transportation by air, rail, waterways and highways.
The Quest Media Group is the publishers of TransQuest Magazine, NewsQuest Weekly and TransQuest Online.
Speaking on a topic,  “Achieving Intermodal Transportation System in Nigeria: Myth or Reality?”, he advised the Federal Government to provide adequate funds for transportation infrastructure.
Badejo, a senior lecturer at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye in Ogun State, said ‘there was need to fortify existing institutional regulatory mechanism and intensify human capacity development for a transport system.
“There is also the need to introduce policies and regulations that will create favourable and robust conducive environment for private sector participation and investment in transportation,’’ the don said.
The Editor-In-Chief of TransQuest Media Group, Mr Felix Kumuyi, said the annual event had provided a platform for promoting transport and maritime issues in the country.
According to him, the company is also using the opportunity to bring salient issues affecting the industry to the fore and give awards to those who have distinguished themselves in the industry.
He observed that Nigerian ports which were supposed to take the centre stage in terms of intermodal transport system are faced with myriads of problems.
“Road transportation has over the years become the only mode of evacuation of imports from the Nigerian ports to their final destination as well as exports from their sources to the ports.
“”Apart from the fact that evacuation of cargo through road transportation has become outdated in modern port system, it also impedes fast and efficient cargo delivery system,’’ Kumuyi said.
He suggested that efforts should be made by the Federal Government to take advantage of the opportunities of Nigeria’s membership of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) to improve on intermodal transport system.
A Deputy Editor-In-Chief with the News Agency of Nigeria NAN), Mr Adeleye Ajayi, who was conferred with the “Evergreen Award in Maritime Journalism Practice, urged the Federal Government to improve on ports infrastructure in order to transform Nigerian ports to preferred final destination of a large percentage of cargo meant for Africa.
Ajayi, a former President, Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN), thanked the media group for the award in recognition of his contributions to the industry while he called the shots as MARAN boss.
Other recipients of the award include  Comptroller Jayne Shoboiki of Murtala Muhammed Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Dr Taiwo Afolabi, the CEO of Sifax Group,and  Dr Abdullahi Kirawa, National Coordinator, Comptroller-General of Customs Strike Force.

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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1 week 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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1 week 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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1 week 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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