Transport
FCT Election: Okada Riders Make Brisk Business
Many commercial mo
torcycle riders, popularly called Okada riders, in Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT defied the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), restriction of movement order during Area Council polls to make brisk business.
The Tide source reports that the riders were seen conveying passengers to and from various destinations, especially to the polling units during the exercise.
Shaba Usman, an Okada rider told The Tide source that he had made N1, 200 since he started work in the morning of the exercise, adding that Saturday, slated for the polls, was a normal day for him to conduct his business like other days.
“I have made so much money today, but I try to avoid the military checkpoints and police posts so that they will not stop me,” he said.
According to him, he had to feed his family, election or no election.
Usman, however, promised to exercise his franchise as soon as possible while the exercise lasted and go back to his business.
Another Okada rider, who will not give his name, said that there were more passengers on the road wanting to go somewhere.
He added that the development motivated hin to be serious with his business in spite of restriction of movement during the election, adding that he had made a lot of money for the day.
The Tide source reports that the atmosphere was however different with motorists as those seen during the exercise were mainly on essential duties.
In a similar vein, some petty traders were seen in their small kiosks selling items such as soft drinks, biscuits among other provisions.
Mr Isah Jubrin, who owns a kiosk within the vicinity of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, told The Tide source that he had made some money but that the patronage was low.
The petty traders were also seen lurking within and around the various polling stations to make brisk business.
At the Kutunku Primary School, which has 10 polling points and over 300 voters, the traders were seen under shades selling water and soft drinks to voters.
Some of them sold items like snacks, bean cake (Akara), food and other local delicacies like cow skin (kpomo) in pepper sauce.
Mrs Asabe Haruna, who sold snacks and soft drinks said that she had to go back home to get fresh supply of drinks.
“This is the second set of water that I am selling today, the first one finished very fast.
“It was as if the people were just waiting for us to bring water,” she said.
The Tide source reports that as at the time of this report, elections in five wards visited were going on peacefully and orderly but under the watchful eyes of the security personnel.
Transport
Immigration Steps Up Anti-Touting Vigilance
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Passports Command, Ikoyi, has increased its surveillance on touting in a bid to check extortion within its jurisdiction.
Speaking in an exclusive chat with The Tide in Lagos, last Friday, the Immigration Comptroller, Passports Office, Ikoyi, Lagos, Deputy Comptroller Liman A.I , said the negative impact of touting on the nation’s economy would not be allowed to continue under his watch.
He said ,”we are applying persuasion, dialogue and seeking the support of all well meaning stakeholders in this area to spread the anti-touting message and dissuade people from unlawful acts. However, we could apply coercive power as the need arises.
“With the selfless leadership shown by the Comptroller General, Alhaji Mohammed Babandede, we at the PCO, Ikoyi, Lagos, have decided to re-dedicate ourselves to duty and complement the efforts of the CGIS.
“We are prepared more than ever to wage the anti-miscreants war relentlessly.
Liman assured the general public of friendly environment for legitimate transaction in an effort to strengthen the national economy, warning deviants to shun touting and other related vices.
According to him, “the command has keyed into the various strategies including the use of ICT in gathering of intelligence, among others.
“The service believes that the fight against miscreants within its corridor cannot be undertaken by the service alone, hence our call on Nigerians to partner with us in ensuring that the passport seekers do not patronise touts to defraud them. Our resolve is unshaken and our commitment is total”.
On her part, the Public Relations Officer of the command, a Deputy Superintendent of Immigration (DSI), Mrs Adetoun Shiyindemi, commended the Deputy Comptroller Liman, for his selfless service, pointing out that he has really given the officers and men of the command a sense of belonging.
“Since the Comptroller came in, it has been a servant-leader relationship here at Ikoyi PCO and we are all motivated to put in our best with what the CGIS has given us, you will see a new immigration service”, she assured.
By: NkpemenyieMcdominic, Lagos
Maritime
Union Urges NIMASA, RSG To Dredge PH/Bonny Jetty
The Bonny Maritime Transport Association (BMTA) has called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Rivers State Government to dredge the Port Harcourt/Bonny Jetty to enhance marine operations.
The union said the low shore of the river hampers its operations and grounds boats.
The Marine Safety Officer, BMTA, Comrade Kings Don, who made the call, said the low shore of the jetty was not helpful to marine operations.
According to him, drivers and passengers find it difficult to ply the route whenever the tide is low, thus wasting man hours.
“Sometimes, we push the boat to a level it would afloat due to low tide suffered in the jetty. We are appealing to NIMASA and the state government to assist and dredge the jetty for more efficiency”, he pleaded.
Don described the Port Harcourt/Bonny Jetty as the gateway to Bonny Island and other riverine communities, and called on NIMASA and the state government to intervene and make the marine sector viable in the area.
He said that the prompt dredging of the jetty would enhance water transportation in the state and improve its revenue generation.
He, however, commended the security agents, especially the Nigerian Navy and the marine police, for rescuing the waterways and creeks from all forms of criminality.
Comrade Don appealed to the security agents to engage in 24-hour patrol of the routes and other channels to save lives and property.
By: Chinedu Wosu
Maritime
Boat Mishaps: Ship Owner Blames Absence Of Safety Regulations
A renowned ship owner in the country, Alhaji Aminu Umar, has decried lack of standardisation and enforcement of safety measures on the nation’s inland waterways by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
He also blamed lack of will to enforce regulations, safety, standard and regulations on overloading, night voyage, rickety and old craft as causes of mishap on the inland waterways.
Alhaji Umar, who is a former president, Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), said in Minna, Niger State, recently that enforcement of safety and standard on the nation’s inland waterways was weak.
Reacting to incessant boat mishaps in the country, Umar said, “there is no standard applied on movement of people, as all kinds of boat are being used. It is important that we standardise, because lack of safety and standard will increase accident.
“I think, the task of NIWA is to standardise conditions and procedures on the nation’s waterways”.
He also called for the regulation of movement of badges and passenger boats across the port environment.
“It’s a huge risk allowing badges moving containers around the port area side by side with boats carrying passengers.
“Moving people and containers at the same time is a huge risk, and a safety concern.
“NIWA and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) should see to this and tackle the menace”, he said.
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