Maritime

FG Re-Awards Calabar Port Dredging Contract

Published

11 years ago

October 24, 2014

The Federal Government
has re-awarded the contract for the dredging of Calabar Port channel to enable larger and deep drought vessels to berth .
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Calabar, last Friday, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, said the project when completed would boost investment and trade opportunities in Cross River, Anambra, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi States.
Represented by the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, Jonathan acknowledged that the port had made Calabar a business hub for trade and shipping activities in the country, adding, “on completion of this dredging, the seaport will witness huge traffic in business activities, thereby facilitating trade and increase revenue for the state”.
He, however, enjoined the contractors to expedite action and complete the project on schedule with specification, and disclosed that the project was a joint venture between the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) and Niger Global Engineering.
It was specifically awarded to a joint venture, Calabar Channel Management Limited (CCM) and Niger Global Engineering Services Limited.
Also speaking, the Acting Managing Director of the Calabar Chanel Management Operation; Mr Peter Hekken, said the dredging would enable NPA to develop its channel to ensure safety of navigation, protection of marine environment and expeditious movement of vessels in and out of the ports, stressing that it will also ensure quick turn-around time and facilitate international shipping in the country.
Hekken, who described the project as timely said it would address the quest by ship owners to have more dedicated ports that would play host to larger and deep vessels in line with international best practice and shipping trade, as there is renewed global interest in trade and investment in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
In his speech, the Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, said the dredging would increase the revenue profile of the state but decried the poor state of the road to the port.
It was however noted that the contract for the dredging of the port was being awarded for a record fifth time, as the first contract was awarded by a former Head of State, Late General Sani Abacha in 1996, but was not executed.
The Calabar Channel dredging was reawarded by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2002 at a whopping sum of $56 million while in 2006, the contract was again awarded by the then Minister of Transport, Abiye Sekibo at N14 billion.

Collins Barasimeye

Newly acquired Tug boat (M/V Hinna and Otuoke) by the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) at Berth 5, Rivers Port, recently.

Maritime

NSEMA Blames Boat Mishap On Overloading

Published

1 week ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

The Management of Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has attributed the recent boat mishap that claimed the lives of over 29 passengers to overloading.

Director General of the Agency, Abdullahi Baba Arah, disclosed this during an interview with newsmen in Minna.

Arah stated that preliminary findings showed that the mishap was caused by overloading and a collision with a submerged tree stump.

“Our desk officer who’s leading the search and rescue operations confirmed that the boat left Tungan Sule with 90 people on board, including women and children, on their way to Dugga for a condolence visit”, he explained.

He disclosed that none of the passengers wore life jackets, despite repeated sensitization and government directives on water safety in the state.

“So far, 29 bodies have been recovered, 50 passengers rescued alive, while two people are still missing”, Arah added.

The Managing Director noted that search and rescue operations were still ongoing to recover the remaining victims.

“At least 29 people have been confirmed dead while several others remain missing after a boat carrying about 90 passengers capsized in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State”, he said.

Arah said the ill-fated boat set out from Tungan Sule in Shagunu Ward, and was heading to Dugga Community for a condolence visit when tragedy struck at Gausawa.

Eyewitnesses said the vessel was carrying mostly women and children on board and suddenly began to experience difficulties before it eventually capsized.

Maritime

Customs Records N3.68tn Revenue In First Half, 2025

Published

1 week ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said the Service has recorded a revenue of N3.68 trillion in the first half of 2025.

The Service said the amount surpassed its revenue target by N390.20 billion, equivalent to 11.85 per cent.

Spokesman of NCS Abdullahi Maiwada, made this known in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja.

Maiwada said the Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) did a comprehensive review of the revenue, which was announced at its 63rd regular meeting.

The meeting, he said, was chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.

The Spokesman saidthe Board linked the achievement to the effectiveness of NCS`s ongoing reforms, improved compliance by stakeholders and enhanced deployment of technology in Customs operations alongside service’s strengthened capacity in revenue mobilisation.

Maiwada said, “between 1st January and 30th June, 2025, the Service recorded a total revenue collection of N3,682,496,530,576.48, representing a remarkable performance above expectations.

“In practical terms, this signifies that within six months, the NCS has already achieved 55.93 per cent of its annual revenue target”, he said.

On the Trade Modernisation Project, he said the Board acknowledged milestones recorded, including wider deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) and arrival of six scanners, including an FS6000 model to boost non-intrusive inspection.

Other achievements recorded by NCS include, procurement of Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) equipment, setup of the Centralised Image Analysis System (CIAS) at Customs Headquarters, and reinforcement of cybersecurity architecture.

The statement said the Board acknowledged that these developments further aligned with Nigeria’s clearance processes with international best practices.

According to Maiwada, the Comptroller-General of NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, congratulated the newly appointed and promoted officers and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them.

Adeniyi reaffirmed the service’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity, transparency, and excellence in service delivery, and also appreciated the Minister of Finance for what called “his continued support and guidance”.

Maritime

Shippers Partner NAPTIP, MMS Against Human Trafficking

Published

1 week ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) says it would partner with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and Money Management Series (MMS) to eliminate human trafficking at Nigeria’s waterways.

The Council said the collaboration would boost surveillance and collaborate with NAPTIP and MMS to combat this economic crime.

Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, NSC, Akutah Pius, made this known recently to newsmen during an interview.

He said the Council is commitment to supporting the fight against human trafficking, particularly stowaway and related crimes.

Pius assured NAPTIP and MMS of the Council’s readiness to provide necessary support to actualize their aspirations.

Earlier, the Director, NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, outlined the importance of strategic partnerships with agencies such as the NSC in preventing and reporting trafficking activities at the country’s waters.

Bello commended the NSC’s role in overseeing critical gateways to the nation’s trade and transport system.

Also Speaking, member, Women of Fortune Hall of Fame (WOFHoF) initiative, Hajia Lami Tumaka, referenced a report by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that the global shipping industry lost $8.9 million to 364 stowaways between February 2020 and February 2021.

The statistic, she said, underscores the need for collaborative efforts to combat human trafficking.

“The NSC, NAPTIP, and MMS are set to work together to strengthen surveillance and prevent human trafficking at Nigeria’s waterways.

“This partnership aims to protect the nation’s trade and transport system from the scourge of human trafficking”, she stated.