Business

NIMASA Lauds WAS Over Ship Building

Published

17 years ago

November 2, 2009

The Director General of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Tenisanren Omatseye has commended the management of West Atlantic Shipyard for its high level productivity.
Mr. Omatseye said this shortly after an official visit to the company recently.
In a short speech after a facility tour of the shipyard, the Director-General of NIMASA Mr. Omatseye remarked that he was highly impressed over the company’s production activities. “Let me say that I am overwhelmed by what we have seen in the company”, the NIMASA DG said after the inspection of West Atlantic Shipyard.
He assured that NIMASA will give every necessary support to WAS, especially under the Cabotage Act regime.
He opined that the company has shown uncommon commitment and capabilities in their chosen areas, and insisted that for that purpose WAS needs all the support and assistance, government can give.
The DG of NIMASA also added that he is happy that West Atlantic Shipyard’s success story is coming at a period the Federal Government is on a relentless drive for foreign investments in the country, in order to help diversify the economy from its dependence on monolitic income base.
Earlier while conducting the Director-General of NIMASA, Mr. Temisanren Omatseye and his team round West Atlantic Shipyard facilities, the Production Manager of the company, Mr. Jason Markwell said that the company which has trained about three hundred (300) staff in various fields, started business of building aluminium boats in the year 2004, on a 60,000 square metres expanse of land.
He noted that with the shipyard project, Nigerian nation has launched itself into the elite West African sub-region.
According to him, the comprehensive shipyard is made up of workshops, jetty and largest Floating Dry Dock of about 7000 tons and 110 metres length in the entire African continent with seasoned workforce”.
He explained that their company business covers both fabrication and maintenance/repairs work on various vessels. He noted that plans are under way to construct for the first time in Nigeria Steel hulled Platforms Supply Vessels (PSV), anchor handling tug supply vessels (AHTS), and ships repairs.
Mr. Jason Markwell added that on a long term plan, that his company is also geared towards the Nigerian offshore fleet, West African Offshore fleet and Atlantic Tuna Fishing fleet, and personalized orders.
He told NIMASA boss and his entourage of the many advantages of West Atlantic Shipyard Limited Services. Such services he said include building and construction of boats/vessels to exact client’s specifications.
On his company’s quest to meet the construction standards, he said the workshop is designed as three warehouses, covering an area of 8000 square metres.
“These entire investment portfolios are a strong statement of faith in Nigeria and a positive affirmation of commitment to the enhancement of Nigeria local content and technological transfer”, Mr. Jason Markwell concluded.
However, the high-point of NIMASA Director General’s visit to West Atlantic Shipyard was a ride on board a completed and floated vessel.
Meanwhile the NIMASA team, also made a quick stop over at Intels, in Onne where he commended them over infrastructural development.

Business

FG Approves 4 New Channel Management Firms For Seaports

Published

4 days ago

October 26, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved four new channel management companies for seaports across the country in a move aimed at improving vessel navigation and port operations.

Speaking at the recently concluded Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), former General Manager, Marine and Operations, Capt. Ebubeogu Ihenacho, disclosed that there would be changes in the ownership of the Lagos Channel Management Company Limited and the Bonny Channel Management Company.

According to Ihenacho, the four channels serving Nigeria’s major port clusters will have different channel management companies as approved by the FEC.

He said a new company had been approved to manage the Lagos port channel, with a change of name, while the Calabar Channel would be managed by the Calabar Channel Management Company.

He added that Bonny Channel Management Company had also undergone a change of ownership.

On the Warri Channel, Ihenacho said the Federal Government had approved China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and two other companies to form a consortium to manage the Escravos Channel.

He said: “For Warri, it was approved for China Harbour Engineering Company, CHEC, and two other companies, who would now form a consortium.

That consortium will now form a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with the Nigerian Ports Authority to manage the Escravos Channel.”

Recall that the management of the NPA had declined to renew the concessions of the Lagos Channel Management Company Limited and the Bonny Channel Management Company, opting instead for six-month extensions of the existing arrangements.

By; Enoch Epelle

Business

RIRS Warns Against Unauthorised Tax Collection

Published

4 days ago

October 26, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS) has warned motorists, transport operators and business owners against paying taxes, levies or charges to Unauthorised persons and organisations, insisting that only the Service and its duly appointed agents are legally empowered to collect taxes on behalf of the state government.

The Service gave the warning in a public notice dated October 21, 2026, signed by its Executive Chairman, Sir Israel O. Egbunefu, FCTI, in which it clarified that the Rivers State Ministry of Transport was not authorised by the state government to collect road tax or any other tax, levy or charge from motorists and transport operators.

RIRS also specifically disowned Explore Strategic Alliance Ltd, located at No. 7 Rumuodaolu Market Road, Port Harcourt, declaring the company had not been appointed or authorised by either the state government or the Service to collect Motor Vehicle Transport (MOT) tickets or any other tax on its behalf.

The revenue agency consequently cautioned members of the public against making payments to the company or any of its staff, stressing that anyone who ignored the warning would do so at their own risk.

It reaffirmed that only the legally authorised agency responsible for tax collection in Rivers State and the appointed agents that would carry out such duties in accordance with the law.

The Service urged taxpayers to demand official identification from anyone claiming to be its tax agent and verify the person’s credentials directly with RIRS before making payments.

It further warned that individuals or groups found impersonating tax consultants, agents or their representatives to collect Unauthorised taxes would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

RIRS also called on members of the public to report suspicious persons and activities relating to Unauthorised tax collection to the Service for appropriate action.

The agency advised taxpayers seeking clarification or assistance to visit any of its offices or contact it through its official email address, info@riversbirs.gov.ng.

The Service reiterated its commitment to protecting taxpayers, promoting voluntary compliance and safeguarding the integrity of tax administration in Rivers State.

By: King Onunwor

Business

Bayelsa consumers Groan Over Inflation As Traders Remain Helpless Over Low Patronage

Published

4 days ago

October 26, 2026

The Tide

Consumers and traders at the Swali ultramodern market in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State have continued to groan over high prices of commodities and poor Patronage due to cost-push inflation.

The Tide reports that in the past weeks prices of goods and services in Yenagoa metropolis has experienced increase.

Notable services like transportation have also increased lately due to increase in the pump price of fuel that has recently further exacerbated inflation in the prices of staple foods like rice, beans, garri and others.

Speaking with The Tide on a market survey, a trader, Mrs Tovie Barakabo said a bag of bean which sold between N120,000-N130, 000 now goes for N140,000-N145,000.

Mrs Barakabo also hinted that the only commodities whose price has not gone up was price of millet which sells N60,000, while big bag of garri now sells for N30,000.

The Tide further gathered from other inside Source that 25 litres of Kings cooking oil currently sells N75,000 as against the former price of N57,000.

Other commodities such as delicious vegetable oil now goes for N68,000, Pure vegetable oil currently goes for N66, 000, while spaghetti is now N18,800 per bag.

The market survey also discovered that Sonnia tomato mix sells N75,609, while a big and small basket of fresh tomatoes are sold for N30,000 and N6,500 respectively.

A disappointed custom, Mrs Juliet Domo who fielded questions from The Tide expressed her worries over the inflation, calling on government to take decisive stands against inflation.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa