Maritime
Ogbe Urges Nigerian Coys To Seek Deep Water Opportunities
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Felix Ogbe, has urged leading Nigerian oil and gas service providers to channel their expertise into the deep water segment of the industry, where significant opportunities are opening up.
Ogbe made the call during an Inspection Tour of West African Ventures Nigeria Limited’s fabrication yard, machine shop, and jetties at the Federal Ocean Terminal in Onne, Rivers State.
The NCDMB boss said the firm and other established indigenous companies must look beyond traditional onshore and shallow-water operations and position themselves for the deep water space, where global oil majors are steadily moving their activities.
In a statement signed by the General Manager, Corporate Communications, NCDMB, Obinna Ezeobi, Ogbe commended not just WAV’s facilities but its long-standing contributions to the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
He described the company as a model of local capacity and proof that indigenous players are ready for more complex assignments in offshore projects.
“You have worked hard; you are a very good company,” Ogbe said, recalling his days as construction manager at Chevron Nigeria Limited when he awarded WAV its first offshore pipe-laying contract, a project he confirmed was executed satisfactorily.
According to him, the infrastructure he saw at WAV’s Onne base underscores its ability to handle world-class projects.
“You have worked hard and you are a very good company. What I have seen today is an eye-opener. You have a 50mm rolling mill; you have ocean-going vessels; you have a good fabrication yard; load-out equipment like the JASCON 8; and a crane with a 160-ton capacity. With these, WAV should participate more actively in offshore and deepwater operations, because all the big players are moving there,” he stated.
Ogbe emphasised that all contracts in the oil and gas industry are awarded through competitive bidding.
He reaffirmed the NCDMB’s commitment to transparency and professionalism, stressing that Nigerian firms have the technical depth and operational experience to compete effectively with international contractors in the deepwater domain.
The NCDMB boss assured WAV that the board would continue to promote indigenous companies with proven expertise, especially as Nigeria looks to increase local participation in high-value deepwater operations adding that firms like WAV, which have built capacity over decades, are strategically positioned to play bigger roles as the industry evolves.
Responding, WAV’s Managing Director, Michael Amaeshike, highlighted the company’s more than four decades of operations as a strong showcase of Nigerian capacity in oil and gas services. He noted that WAV had not only delivered critical projects but had also shaped the careers of countless professionals across engineering, maritime, procurement, and construction.
“West African Ventures has consistently portrayed local content the way it should be,” Amaeshike stated, pointing out that the company recently completed a major infrastructure project for a marginal field operator, further underlining its ability to deliver on complex industry demands.
WAV’s Fabrication Manager, Chimeziri Onwukwe, provided a technical overview of the firm’s operations, which span fabrication of platforms, jackets, modules, tanks, and other essential oil and gas structures. He added that WAV’s integrated operations are supported by advanced pipe profiling and plate-cutting machines, alongside an offshore base that provides logistics and marine load-out services.
Onwukwe, however, lamented that despite the company’s huge investments and consistent track record, patronage from operators in the industry has been relatively low.
He called on the NCDMB to help create greater awareness of WAV’s capabilities so that the firm can attract more projects.
By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu
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The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) says it’s new scanner machine is capable of examining over 200 containers per hour at the Apapa Port
NCS said the scanners, which are part of the ongoing Trade Modernisation Project (TMP), are expected to speed up cargo clearance, tighten security, and reduce congestion at the port.
Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Oluwadare Oshoba, stated this during an inspection of the sites designated for the equipment.
He said the scanners would be strategically positioned close to the berthing area to ensure that all containers arriving at the port are subjected to high-tech, non-intrusive checks.
“No consignment will escape inspection as the scanners will be examining 200 containers per hour,” Oshoba said.
“This is a major step that will save time, increase revenue, enhance national security, promote trade and prevent port-related crimes right from the point of entry.”
Oshoba commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for driving the modernisation programme
. He explained that the installation is to be handled by the Trade Modernisation Project in partnership with APM Terminals, will last about 45 days.
“Two scanners will come from the TMP while APM Terminals will provide an additional unit, with a mobile scanner on standby to prevent downtime”.
Oshoba urged officers to get ready for intensive “train-the-trainer” sessions and capacity building for ICT staff who will handle first and second-level maintenance of the scanners, which he described as the first of their kind in West and Central Africa
Oshoba called on Port users and stakeholders to support the project to ensure its success.
“All hands must be on deck to see this dream through, saying this is the beginning of a new era in customs operations.”
The installation of the scanners is part of a wider modernisation plan aimed at automating customs processes and aligning Nigeria’s trade practices with global standards. Similar upgrades are expected to be introduced at other major ports and border locations once the Apapa pilot is completed.
The Area Controller warned importers, exporters and agents to make honest declarations, noting that the technology will expose concealments and false documentation.
Speaking at the event, TMP Team Leader at the site, Aliyu Suleiman, said the scanners are the NUCTECH FS6000 model from China.
He explained that they use high-penetration dual-energy X-ray transmission technology to inspect trucks and containers in one pass at speeds of up to 15 km/h, providing detailed images that can reveal concealed contraband and dangerous materials.
Suleiman added that the system’s modular design allows integration with other tools such as License Plate Recognition (LPR) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).
The Apapa Command handles the largest volume of container traffic in Nigeria and has for years faced delays caused by manual cargo checks.
Stakeholders believe the deployment of the scanners would cut clearance times, boost revenue and make Apapa a benchmark for other ports in the country.
By: Chinedu Wosu
The Federal Government says its new National Marine and Blue Economy policy is designed to cut logistics costs.
It also said the policy is designed to boost trade competitiveness and attract private sector investment into the transport and maritime sectors.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this at the 2025 Transportation Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) Annual Summit, in Lagos.
Represented by the Director, Maritime Services, Department of Marine & Blue Economy, Dr Mercy Ilori, Oyetola explained that the policy would provide a framework for seamless intermodal integration across road, rail, barge and pipeline channels.
He added that the policy was aimed at transforming Nigeria into a logistics hub for West and Central Africa.
“By lowering the cost of doing business, improving turnaround times and creating an enabling environment for private capital, we are positioning Nigeria as a preferred logistics destination in Africa,” Oyetola said.
Oyetola highlighted key interventions already underway to include the operationalisation of the Lagos–Ibadan Standard Gauge Rail line.
The Minister said that the rail line was to enable port cargo evacuation, expansion of barge operations at Lagos and Onne ports and the completion of the Apapa–Oshodi Expressway.
He included the commissioning of the 27 kilometers Lekki Port Access Road as another intervention.
Oyetola identified the development of inland dry ports in Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano and Funtua, to ease pressure on seaports and support regional economies.
He stressed that the success of the reforms depended on collaboration among shipping lines, terminal operators, freight forwarders, investors and regulators.
Oyetola insisted that Nigeria must adopt digital, green and climate-resilient logistics solutions, to remain globally competitive.
Also Speaking, Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, stated that government had recently approved the National Land Transport Policy after decades of futile struggle.
Represented by the Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, Alkali said that the policy would undoubtedly serve as a veritable tool to facilitate all developments in the land transport sub-sector.
The minister appreciated President Bola Tinubu for spearheading the National Transport Sector Reform project through laudable policies, initiatives and commitments.
He said these commitments would aid the actualising of the Renewed Hope Agenda, by making public transportation efficient, effective, safe, secure, integrated and affordable.
Earlier, Chairman, TCAN , Tola Adenubi, regretted that Nigeria is yet to have an acceptable protocol to guide the entire transport system, leaving the space open to all comers.
Adenubi added that though transportation addressed challenges of moving from one point to another, doing so seamlessly had remained man’s major headache.
“While Nigeria is grappling with the absence of a national transport policy that should guide her modes of transport, the pressure exerted on the roads by petroleum tankers and trucks have left many roads in sorry state.
“Also, the remaining modes rail, air and waterways have their own share of challenges and there should be solutions to them,” he said.
By: Chinedu Wosu
The Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), Ogun I Command Chapter, Idiroko, has donated mosquito nets and 50 pieces of bed sheets to General Hospital and Medical Center in Idiroko.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Zakari Chado, who disclosed this in a Statement made available to newsmen, said the initiative was part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to give back to the society.
Speaking during the exercise, COWA Chairman, Mrs. Fausat Otunla emphasised that the initiative was part of COWA’s commitment to community development and the well-being of families within and around Idiroko.
Otunla reiterated the Association’s resolve to continually support health institutions and enhance the living conditions of the people.
“This CSR activity underscores the compassionate vision of COWA and its contribution to the health and welfare of communities,” she said.
The statement noted that, Chairman of COWA, Mrs. Fausat Otunla was received by the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr Kilanko Margaret, chief matron and other members of staff, who took the visitors on a tour of the hospital.
“The visitors were taken on a guided tour of the hospital wards where patients and pregnant women attending antenatal clinics were presented with mosquito nets.
“In addition, the Association also donated 50 pieces of bed sheets to the hospital,” he said.
Responding, the Chief Medical Director CMD Dr. Kilanko Margaret, expressed gratitude for the benevolence of COWA, saying that the donations would go a long way in improving patients’ welfare.
She assured the association of the hospital’s readiness to extend medical outreach to COWA members and their spouses.
Also Speaking, Mrs. Sodiq Ola, who spoke on behalf of pregnant women, thanked COWA for the thoughtful gifts and offered prayers for the continued success and well-being of the association.
Similarly, COWA donated mosquito nets and customised bed sheets at Customs Medical Center, Idiroko
The items were received with great appreciation by Superintendent of Customs (SC) Dr. Abdulmalik Zakariyyah on behalf of the medical staff, who conveyed their appreciation to the association for impactful support.
By: Chinedu Wosu
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