Maritime

Maritime Stakeholder Hails Court Ruling On NSC

Published

11 years ago

February 13, 2015

A Port Harcourt based
stakeholder in the Maritime Industry, Nze Bob Onyeama Theodore has described the recent Federal High Court ruling on the eligibility of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) to operate as the economic regulator of port activities in the country as a landmark judgment and best thing that had happened to the industry.
In an exclusive interview with our correspondent in his office in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Theodore said the council which had been operating since 1978 had been labeled a toothless bull-dog because there was no legal backing to effectively carry out its recent assignment by the Federal Government.
The maritime guru noted that with the court ruling, NSC is expected to carry out its duties legitimately to protect the interest of all stakeholders in the Port industry.
According to him, the council with the powers vested on it, could now regulate the commercial activities of all operators in the port, stressing that their activities will also include check and balance to the terminal operators, shipping companies, importers, exporters, clearing agents, freight forwarders and other service providers as well as the port concessionaires.
He expressed optimism that with the judgment, NSC will have powers over the activities of the shipping lines commended the Federal Government for their foresight.
Theodore, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Goldlink Maritime Services Ltd further said most illegal payments, fees and activities would stop forthwith, as the whole system would adopt international best practices.
“It is a great relief to the shippers, the importers and exporters as there will be no more shipping agency charges within the Nigerian maritime sector,” he opined, pointing out that all those cargoes that were diverted to other neighbouring West African countries due to these illegal charges would gradually find their ways to the Nigeria seaports, and it is going to boost the economy of the country.
It would be recalled that a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos recently upheld the status of the NSC as the the economic regulator of the nation’s seaports.
The presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba also ordered that terminal operators like the Seaports Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) and Association of Shipping Line Agencies (ASLA) to revert to the various 2009 charges as directed by the NSC.
They were also directed to refund excessive revenue made from 2009 to date to the Cargo Defence Fund (CDF) as well as account for all monies collected by these shipping companies from 2009 to date as one charge or the other.
The stakeholder however advised the Nigeria Shippers Council not to over step their boundaries or go beyond their limit but ensure that they carry out their roles according to specifications and guidelines, praying God to give them the wisdom, courage and protection to stand the storm.

Collins Barasimeye

Business

Navy Hands Over Five Suspected Stowaways to NIS

Published

2 hours ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft has handed over five suspected stowaways to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)

The suspects were discovered aboard a merchant vessel, MT Chinafrie Happiness, in an attempted illegal voyage out of the country.

This was contained in a statement issued by Sub Lieutenant A.O. Ajayi, Naval Assistant to the Commander, NNS Beecroft.

The statement said the Handover is part of ongoing inter-agency collaboration aimed at strengthening maritime security, curbing illegal migration, and enhancing safety within Nigeria’s maritime environment.

According to the statement, the suspects were discovered on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, concealed inside the rudder compartment of the vessel while it was berthed at Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.

The five suspects were safely evacuated by Naval Personnel’s and taken to NNS Beecroft for preliminary investigation, profiling, and documentation before being transferred to immigration authorities for further action.

The statement gave their identity as Segun Samuel Boyewa (31), Kingsley Chukwu (43), Joseph Judge (33), Moses Aletor (24), and Abdullahi Danlami (31).

Preliminary findings indicated that the individuals allegedly boarded the vessel while it was docked at Tin Can Island Port with the intention of stowing away to India without valid travel documentation or authorisation.

The statement also noted that stowaway attempts pose significant risks to human life and maritime safety, as individuals often hide in hazardous compartments of vessels under extreme conditions that could lead to injury or death.

The Naval statement warned that illegal boarding of ships remains a serious maritime security challenge and called on parents, guardians, and community leaders to discourage youths from engaging in such dangerous and unlawful acts.

The statement reaffirmed the commitment of NNS Beecroft to sustained maritime security operations in line with the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, aimed at maintaining a professional and effective naval force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and supporting joint operations for national security.

Chinedu Wosu

Business

Navy Nabs 13 Black Sand Miners In Bayelsa –Impound Two Boats

Published

2 hours ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy has arrested Thirteen 13 Black Sand miners in Bayelsa state

The Service also impounded two Wooden Boats used for the illegal operations

Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, said this in a statement issued to Newsmen in Abuja.

Folorunsho said with the operation, the Navy had recorded another operational success in its efforts to curb illegal exploitation of natural resources

According to Folorunsho the operation was conducted by Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO, following credible intelligence on the movement of boats suspected to be involved in illegal mining activities.

He said the intelligence revealed the boats were operating within the coastal communities of Brass Local Government Area.

“Acting on the intelligence, Naval personnel intercepted the boats at Lekeson and Liama communities, where large quantities of suspected illegally mined black sand were discovered onboard.

“A total of 13 crew members were arrested in connection with the activity,” he said.

The Naval Director of information said that the successful operation underscored the Navy’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s maritime environment and preventing the illegal exploitation of natural resources that undermine economic development and environmental sustainability.

“The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining operations against illegal resource extraction and other maritime crimes, while maintaining security and stability within the nation’s waterways,” he said.

Folorunsho also said that the two wooden boats recovered, the black sand and the 13 suspects have subsequently been handed over to the Divisional Police Officer, Nembe Division, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

He said this was done in line with the extant procedures and directives of the Bayelsa Government.

The Naval spokesperson reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders and security agencies to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime resources.

Folorunsho assured that it would also ensure that the nation’s waterways remain safe and secure for legitimate economic activities.

CHINEDU WOSU

Maritime

NCS Holds Free Medical Outreach For 2,000 Daura Residents

Published

1 month ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has held its 7th Retreat Medical Outreach in Daura, Katsina State,

Customs said the Free medical outreach is aimed at providing free healthcare services to residents of the area.

Speaking during the event, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Ahmad Tijjani-Abe, said the programme would provide general medical consultations, dental care, eye and ear care, as well as minor surgical operations for beneficiaries.

Tijjani-Abe said medical teams deployed for the exercise would also provide free medications to patients attending the outreach.

He added that the service would visit schools within the area to deworm students and distribute health kits and mosquito nets to help prevent malaria among children.

Also Speaking, Dr Ethelbert Ikechukwu, Medical Team Leader of the outreach said the exercise was part of the initiative of the Comptroller-General of Customs, which had been carried out in different parts of the country over the years.

According to him, the programme is designed to support communities where customs personnel operate by offering free medical consultations and medications to residents.

Ikechukwu further explained that patients whose conditions could not be fully managed at the outreach centre would be referred to appropriate medical facilities for further treatment.

Ikechukwu urged members of the public to take advantage of the exercise, noting that the medical teams comprised highly qualified healthcare professionals.

The outreach targets about 2,000 patients across various areas of medical care.