Connect with us

Maritime

NPA MD Assures CILT Youths Of Support

Published

5 years ago

on

The Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman, has assured the youths of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) of her support toward developing capacities to grow the nation’s maritime industry.
Bala-Usman gave the assurance in a statement signed by the Assistant General Manager, Corporate Communications and Strategy of NPA, Malam Ibrahim Nasiru, yesterday.
She spoke after the inauguration of the NPA’s Chapter of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport CILT codenamed: NPA/CILT NEXT GENERATION CHAPTER held during the weekend in Lagos.
According to her, youths of the organisation can come together to explore opportunities in CILT for development of not only their individual careers, but also the progress of the nation’s maritime sector.
She observed that such efforts by the youth would give people like her the confidence that the future would be better.
Bala-Usman urged young people who were diligent at work and committed to continuous searching for knowledge and professional development, adding that the sky could only be the limit for the industry.
”The inauguration of the youth association will give the antecedents and personal experiences where youths have been found to be unable to accept responsibilities and take advantage of opportunities at their disposal for their future growth and advancement.
”In my experience, I have come to realise that one of the greatest pitfalls of youth is the inability to quickly come to terms with the responsibility that the future places on them.
”When youths do not understand the roles that they have in the future of a society, they are unable to explore the opportunities that the present offers them and build the necessary capacity for the future.
”On a lot of occasions, when opportunity falls on the laps of young people, they are not sufficiently prepared to make the best of those opportunities to the benefit of the society.
”This is why I am happy about NPA/CILT Next Generation Chapter,’’ she added.
Bala-Usman said: “It is heartwarming that you have not just come together in unity as one would expect of every staffer of any organisation that aspires for progress, but you should also make it a point of duty to develop yourselves and build the capacity of your members through your regular Zoom webinar series.
”I encourage you not to relent in these efforts. Regardless of the challenges that you face, be rest assured that you will reap the reward of every investment that you put into the initiatives in the future to the benefits of yourself, the maritime industry and Nigeria, at large,” she said.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Maritime

Weak Shipping Line Regulation Undermines Customs Reforms —-Says SEREC

Published

2 weeks ago

on

January 28, 2026

By

The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) says poor regulation of shipping lines could undermine the credibility of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) reforms.
Head of Research SEREC, Dr Eugene Nweke  made this Known to Newsmen in Abuja
Nweke said that customs efficiency was linked to the performance of the Nigeria’s maritime and trade ecosystem.
Hr described the NCS as central to the success of the National Single Window (NSW) risk-based clearance and trade facilitation reforms.
“However, Customs efficiency gains are systematically eroded when upstream shipping practices introduce artificial delays, speculative charges, remote cargo release approvals and opaque cost structures”.
“In effect, weak regulation of shipping line conduct externalises inefficiencies into the Customs clearance process, inflates transaction costs, distorts compliance behavior and undermines the credibility of customs-led trade reforms,”
Nweke said that SEREC had submitted a white paper to the government advocating that shipping line governance, port economic regulation, and customs trade administration should be treated as inseparable policy domains.
SEREC said Nigeria’s Port challenges were not only infrastructure-driven but governance-related, warning that weak regulation, missing oversight reports and unchecked discretion in systems like the NSW could undermine reform efforts.
SEREC recommended reforms for Nigeria’s shipping sector, including public release of committee findings, statutory refund timelines with penalties, banning speculative demurrage billing, mandatory local cargo release and alignment of shipping practices with the NSW among others.
Nweke said that the aim of the white paper was to draw attention to sharp practices and regulatory weaknesses that had evolved beyond operational inconveniences into macroeconomic and governance risks.
“For NCS trade reforms to deliver their full impact in 2026 and beyond, shipping practices must align with the same principles guiding Customs modernisation: transparency, predictability, automation, accountability and local control.
Nweke said that by 2026, stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry hope to transition from opaque and arbitrary port operations to a transparent, rules-based system managed through digital technology.
He stressed that the shift should align with ongoing reforms and international best practices, facilitated by the government through providing enabling environment and enforcing regulations
“These include predictable costs, enforceable service standards, transparent billing, time-bound cargo release, and institutional accountability particularly as Nigeria advances the National Single Window (NSW), port economic regulation, and revenue optimisation objectives.
“The expectation is not the creation of new laws, but disciplined enforcement of existing instruments, public disclosure of regulatory outcomes, and insulation of regulators from political and commercial capture,” Nweke said.
By: CHINEDU WOSU
Continue Reading

Maritime

Tinubu Approve Take Off Of Olokola Deep Seaport In Ogun State

Published

2 weeks ago

on

January 28, 2026

By

Nigeria President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate take-off of the Olokola Deep Seaport project in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area
The approval brings  to an end years of delay surrounding the multi billion dollar Port.
Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun made this Known to Journalists during an interactive session
 Governor Abiodun said the Seaport would help decongest Lagos ports, while oil drilling at Tongeji Island would boost economic activities and inclusion in coastal communities.
“The Olokola deep seaport project, which has been on the drawing board for several years, has been revived following a series of meetings with the President”.
“I want to sincerely thank Mr President because this is solely his initiative. In the last two weeks alone, we have held several meetings on Olokola, and he has clearly expressed his desire to see the port become a reality,” he said.
The Governor said the seaport would be known as the Blue Marine Economic Zone, would leverage the coastal road as an alternative logistics corridor and further ease pressure on the Lagos ports.
He commended the Nigerian Navy for establishing a Forward Operations Base at Tongeji Island, saying the move would enhance security and prevent infiltration from neighbouring Benin Republic.
The Governor said that the state government was working to provide basic amenities for residents of the island to improve living conditions and support emerging economic activities.
Abiodun thanked the Navy for its contribution to security in the state, attributing the relative peace in Ogun to collaboration among security agencies.
By: CHINEDU WOSU
Continue Reading

Maritime

Gov Eno Vows To Actualise Ibom Deep Seaport Project 

Published

2 weeks ago

on

January 28, 2026

By

 Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno says his administration is  commitment to deliver the Ibom Deep Seaport project as a critical infrastructure to boost the state’s economy and transform the region.
The Governor said this during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state government and the Interaf Group Consortium at the Government House, Uyo.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Enobong Uwah, Eno emphasized on the project’s significance.
“The project is a necessity for the people of the state as my administration is fully committed to putting the necessary requirements in place to get it on course,” Eno said.
The Governor urged the consortium to work closely with the Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation, AKICORP, and the government’s representatives to ensure its timely execution.
He commended the organisation for its interest in ensuring the actualisation of the project
The Governor thanked the former Petroleum Minister, Mr Don Etiebet, for being a part of the team, and for working toward the actualisation of the facility.
Earlier,Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Interaf Group Consortium, Mr Ezinwa Ibekwe commended the government for the confidence reposed in the company.
Ibekwe assured the government of the consortium’s readiness to deliver on its mandate, promising a collaborative approach to ensure the project’s success.
By: CHINEDU WOSU
Continue Reading

Trending