Maritime
NPA To Write Off Rickety Trucks At Apapa Ports
The Nigerian Ports Au
thority has concluded plans to rid off rickety trucks from entering any of the Lagos ports.
The port manager, Lagos port, Mallam Nasir Anas Mohammed who disclosed this to our correspondent urged all stakeholders to support the NPA management as to reduce the falling of containers on innocent road users and incessant breaking of trucks on Lagos road.
The Lagos Port boss, last week in Lagos explained that plans were in the final stage to stop trucks that do not meet the minimum standards required of them for operating at the ports.
“We are worried that trucks come into the ports to pick consignments and they break down on roads. But we at NPA are interested that you did not pick from the port, but get it safely to the owner’s warehouse or end users conveniently”, he said
“We want to put it on the front burner this year, because we are not happy seeing trucks breaking down on the roads everywhere around the country.
Mohammed, who emphasized the essence of the management stands, said disaster do not warn, thus the need for adequate preparation by ensuring stakeholders co-operate with the NPA management decision. According to him, “This is in consonance with the federal government position on vehicles inspections and other unwholesome practices not only within the ports industries but within the country at large.
The Lagos Port boss, noted that Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) and operatives of the Lagos State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) would be fully involved in enforcing the trucks minimum standards.
According to him, “this departments are the critical stakeholders and we realised that we have not engaged them, but now, they must be carried along, because they are the one expected to regulate the activities of the truckers and their trucks.
The timely intervention of stakeholders like shipping companies, clearing agents, haulage companies who argued that they need an extension to comply, the implementation was relaxed in the last quarters of 2014.
“We set out to achieve full implementation but along the line, we had request and complaints from critical stakeholders. We collectively agreed to step down the policy with the understanding that the full implementation will take off in 2015.
He said that there would be no going back on the full implementation this year as no amount of appeal or excuse would stop it.
Nasir Mohammed, appealed to stakeholders to imbibe safety strategies and be security conscious in their operations, noting that it was priority in current international ports operations.
Maritime
Illegal Migration: NIS, NIWA Move To Strengthen Partnership
Following the spate of illegal migration into the country by migrants, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have concluded plans to strengthen their partnership to curb illegal migration through the Lagos State waterways.
The plan to deepen partnership was discussed when the new Comptroller of Immigration Service in charge of Lagos Seaports and Marine Command, CIS Joseph Dada, visited the NIWA, Lagos Area Manager, Mrs Sarat Braimah in Lagos.
Speaking at the visit, Dada said the service would fare better in achieving its mandate with a strategic partnership with the waterways regulator.
“We have some challenges on the waterways, even though we do patrols. Collaborating with NIWA will guarantee stronger waterway operations.
“We are not saying people shouldn’t migrate or ‘japa’ from Nigeria. Migration is part of life and people have a right to seek greener pastures.
“However, they must do it the right way. They have to get their passports, visas and travel through the appropriate channels”, he said.
Dada lamented that several Nigerian ladies are victims of human trafficking for prostitution usually disguised as job offers for care workers abroad.
Also Speaking, Managing Director, NIWA, Mrs Sarat Braimah, welcomed the idea of strategic collaboration with the NIS, stressing that both agencies are working for the common good of Nigeria and its citizens.
“We expect this collaboration to prohibit illegal migration. Migration is part of life and as you observed earlier, it fosters tourism, culture and development.
“Nonetheless, we will assist the NIS in achieving their objective, which is that people shouldn’t migrate illegally.
“A lot of passengers board ferries from Marina jetty to Badagry and Port Novo. We don’t know their final destination or verify their identity; but we’re open to NIS partnership to carry out migration checks”, she said.
She noted that NIWA could train immigration officials on how to go onboard vessels safely, and also provide boats, lifejackets, among other equipment, when the Immigration make such requests.
Maritime
NPA To Generate N629bn Revenue In 2024 -MD
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says the authority will generate N629.89 billion in 2024.
NPA is also seeking for N200 billion loan from Afrexim Bank for ports development.
Managing Director, NPA, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, stated this while defending the 2024 budget before the House of Representatives Committee on Ports and Harbours in Abuja.
He said the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF) was also listed as one of the financial institutions from which to source the loan.
Koko said the total projected expenditure was N464.32 billion, while the operating expenses were projected at N212.03 billion and the capital expenditure stood at N252.29 billion.
“Part of the main trust of the 2024 budget is the urgent need to rehabilitate, reconstruct and moderate the dilapidated port infrastructure facilities”, he stated.
The Managing Director said defects in the facilities were hampering efficiency and productivity in the ports, saying that the defects include the quay walls and the replacement of old gravity walls.
According to him, another is need for rehabilitation of Escravos breakwaters.
“This is aimed at improving port efficiency and increasing cargo traffic through investment funding from the financiers, UKEF and Afrexim”, he said.
Earlier, Chairman of the committee, Nnolin Nnaji, said the agency is very dear to the country, hence the need for the committee to visit some of the facilities outside Lagos.
“We need to see those things you are telling us. The House of Representatives is very serious about budget defence, while they do screening on the other side, budget defence is here”, he said.
He commended the Managing Director for the budget presentation, saying that he believed in the subsequent budget
“We accept this budget, and we will move further with it”, he assured.
The lawmaker also said the drainage channels were full of wreckages and expressed concern over lack of information on wreckage removal.
Nnaji noted that as long as the NPA avoided the wreckage, it will keep occurring because of the abandoned ships facilities.
Maritime
COWA Distributes Food Items To Members In Abuja
In a bid to cushion the hardship and hunger faced by ordinary Nigerians, the Customs Officer’s’ Wives Association (COWA) has distributed food items to its members in Karu Customs Barracks, Abuja.
National President, COWA, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, who flagged off the exercise, said the distribution of the food items was part of COWA’s plans to ease life for its members.
“This is not the first time COWA is conducting this initiative of distributing food items to the members and non-members of the association, and we decided to distribute these items considering the season of Ramadan.
“Everything we are doing now is for you. Please register so we can make provision for all of you. This will help us keep proper data of everyone and we will continue doing this subsequently to alleviate the situation”, Adeniyi said.
She further said food items were also being distributed to COWA members across all Customs formations in the country.
Some of the food items distributed include rice, spaghetti, noodles and cooking oil.
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