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Nigeria Loses $3bn Annually To Piracy

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13 years ago

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The spate of  piracy and armed robbery in Nigeria’s territorial waters is causing concerns for the economy given the frequency and sophisticated  methodology  used by these marauders; the attendant loss of lives, properties and stigma within the shipping community. Consequently,  the Nigerian government through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), is putting together a robust frame work to tackle this hydra-headed monster.

This is the outcome of a recent stakeholders conference on a draft priacy bill in Lagos.

Available statistics show that more than $3 billion dollars are lost annually to  piracy and armed robbery in the global waters while, not less than 300 vessels are lost annually to piracy and armed robbery at sea.

Given the limitations of existing legal instruments, the need to enact a more robust legislation has become imperative. The draft bill according to NIMASA, will not only incorporate the provisions of treaties signed into by Nigeria but also domesticated  protocols yet to be acceded to but which are considered important to fully entrenching an enduring legal frame work.

The one day stakeholders conference on the draft piracy bill was well attended by the who is who in the legal as well as shipping community in Nigeria. It was chaired by a legal luminary in the person of Hon, Justice E.O Sanyaolu (rtd), The Hon Minister of Transport ably represented by Mrs Chy Prezi declared the event open, while the Nigerian Navy and NSA were not also missing in the crowd as they were represented by Captain Ibrahim Majidadi Chonopo and Mr Njoku Leo Erasmus.

The participants noted that there is no available legislation on piracy and armed robbery at sea in Nigeria. The laws in Nigeria falls short of what is legally required to prosecute an offender. Hence, prosecuting those who run against the law when caught becomes almost impossbile, the conference noted it  also called for a legal frame work to domesticate treaties on piracy and armed robbery at sea.

Critiquing the bill participants applauded NIMASA for taking the bull by the horn as Nigeria has been ranked alongside Somali, as having some of the most frequent piracy and armed robbery attacks at the high seas.

According to sources, the draft bill which relies on the various treaties of the international maritime organization (IMO) ratified by Nigeria  is expected to provide a regulatory framework for defining piracy and criminality at sea, prosecuting and  punishing criminals.

Presenting the bill Legal consultant to NIMASA on the matter Mike Igbokwe (SAN), explained that there were no laws for successful prosecution of piracy incidences in the country.

 

Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

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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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