Maritime

Union To Sanction Boat Drivers Found Drinking

Published

5 years ago

November 23, 2020

The Bonny Maritime Transport Association (BMTA) has threatened to sanction any of its drivers and staff caught drinking alcohol while on duty.
The union said any of its drivers or staff caught indulging in alcoholism during official duty risks six months suspension.
The Safety Officer of the association, Kingdom Kingsley, made this known in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, recently.
The association frowned against taking alcohol during official duty, describing it as an irresponsible act.
Kingsley pointed out the dangers inherent in taking alcohol by boat drivers, saying it is has the potential of causing accident and loss of lives.
He said the six months suspension would serve as a deterrent to others and reduce the cases of water accident along the route
“Any boat driver found drunk while on duty will be sanctioned for six months because safety of lives of our passengers is our top priority.
“Avoid taking alcohol on the water; if you are intoxicated, you may endanger the lives of passengers as well as yourself, as excessive drinking of alcohol causes accidents on water”, he said.
He said the association has put various policies in place to ensure the safety of lives on the sea.
Kingsley insisted that the safety of passengers plying Bonny waterways is one of the cardinal objectives of the association.

Maritime

Customs Kaduna Command Generates ?5b Revenue In Oct

Published

4 days ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kaduna Area Command, has achieved a new revenue milestone, generating ?5.16 billion in October 2025

The Area Command said the feat was the highest monthly revenue ever recorded.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Ridwan Yusuf, revealed this in a Statement made available to Journalists

The figure, Yusuf said, represent 96 per cent increase above the monthly target and a 196 per cent target performance.

Yusuf said that the command collected ?39.79 billion between January and October 2025, compared with ?24.06 billion generated during the same period in 2024 reflecting a substantial year,on year growth.

the Area Controller, Comptroller Saad Hassan, attributed the record performance to the dedication and professionalism of officers and stakeholders, in line with the modernisation agenda of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi.

He identified improved stakeholders’ engagement, digitalisation of excise operations, and enhanced officers’ motivation as key factors driving the Command’s success.

“The Command’s performance demonstrates the effectiveness of our current operational strategies and our unwavering commitment to national economic stability,” Hassan said.

He assured that the command would continue to sustain the momentum by facilitating legitimate trade and improving revenue collection mechanisms.

The Command also reaffirmed its resolve to uphold professionalism and integrity in line with the service’s overall mission of trade facilitation and economic growth.

By; Chinedu Wosu

Maritime

NSC Facilitate Release Of 90 Imported Containers From Maritime Police

Published

4 days ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Shippers’Council(NSC), through its Complaints Unit, has successfully facilitated the release of 90 imported containers from the Maritime Police Command

The containers were released between Monday, 27th to Friday 31st October, 2025.

Speaking during the compilation and review of Case by Case Study Session held at the Complaints Unit, the Head, Complaints Unit, Dr. Bashir Ambi Mohammed, reiterated the importance of proper documentation of all Maritime Police related disputes.

He stated tha the NSC’s intervention aligns with internationally recognized frameworks such as the International Maritime Organisation IMO’s Facilitation Convention (FAL), promoting efficient clearance of goods and reduction of administrative bottlenecks.

The other is the UNCTAD Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), emphasizing faster release of cargoes and reduced transaction costs.

Also is the World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards, ensuring secure and transparent supply chain operations.

Ambi Mohammed added that through these coordinated efforts, the Council ensures reduced Container Dwell Time as well as improving terminal throughput.

According to him, the efforts so far has minimized Demurrage and Storage Costs thereby protecting shippers’ financial interests.

It further enhanced Inter-Agency Cooperation and Improved Supply Chain Visibility, which he said collectively contributes to Nigeria’s goal of achieving World Class Port Efficiency and Global Competitiveness in Maritime Trade.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Maritime

Shipper’s Council Advocates Sensitization Of Staff On NSITF Scheme

Published

4 days ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has called for proper Sensitization of staff on the proposed insurance scheme by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, NSC, Akutah Pius, made the call while playing host to a courtesy visit by NSITF officials to his office, in Lagos.

Represented by Director of Human Resources Management, Alhaji Mustapha Zubairu, Akutah emphasized the Nigeria Shipper’s Council commitment to prioritizing staff insurance and health, citing existing policies with positive impacts on employees’ lives.

He requested NSITF to strengthen its legal framework to enable the NSC to fully benefit from the scheme.

Earlier, the Team Head, NSITF’ Adegbite Oludotun said that the organization provides compensation for insured government employees in case of injury, disability, or death during active service.

While commending the NSC for registering with the scheme, Oludotun assured adequate compensation for employee claims and safety.

By: Chinedu Wosu