Maritime

Shippers Council Cautions MWUN On Planned Strike

Published

4 years ago

February 28, 2022

The leadership of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has appealed to the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) to shelve their proposed indefinite nationwide strike scheduled for 1st March, 2022 across all the nation’s seaports.
Executive Secretary of NSC, Mr Emmanuel Jime, disclosed this in Lagos during a meeting with the President General of MWUN, Mr Adewale Adeyanju.
Recall that MWUN had issued a 14-day strike notice to the Federal Government over the refusal of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to allow stevedoring companies access to their platforms to begin operations.
“Any disruption at the port can affect in a very tragic way the economy of the country.
“The conversation is about the notice to down tools, and we as a port economic regulator should ensure that there are little or no disruptions to operations at the port.
“We have to show concern when there is disagreement that has risen to a level to cause disruption, especially in the maritime space.
“We are also disappointed about the state of affairs that has led to this situation of giving the notice which has been recurring as far back as 2014 with regards to engagement of stevedoring companies.
“We are disappointed that what has come to stay as a policy is being abused and we will not stand by and see the policy, which will benefit the Nigerian people and assist in operations, is not obeyed,” he said.
Jime appreciated the union for staying off strike when the Minister of Transportation intervened earlier, noting that this showed that the union was disposed to listening.
“Obviously, it has gotten to a point whereby you believe that nothing else can be done and the only option being a strike, this can mean that you have probably exhausted every avenue.
“I plead with you to tarry a while just like you have done in the past to give negotiation a chance. This time with shippers’ council playing a midwife, because I will be meeting with the Minister on this issue.
“I assure you that the council is ready to work with you to resolve this issue. In enforcing policy, I suggest that for IOCs that are not compliant, you can picket that IOC to send the right signal,” he said.
Earlier, President General, MWUN, had said as a responsible union, they do not back-out anyhow, but follow due process and would not do anything funny.
He said they believed in sincerity of purpose to come from employers of labour, and believed in working closely with each other to achieve objectives.
Adeyanju noted that the law of the country must be respected concerning stevedoring contract, and berated the IOCs for not doing so.
“We have been given a mandate that the strike must commence and that is what is before you.
“The strike is imminent and it is way of telling the world that the IOCs are not bigger than this country,” he said.
Adeyanju wondered why the IOCs were running away from their responsibility and preventing the stevedoring contractors from coming in.
“If they are not hiding anything, why won’t they obey the instructions of the Minister of Transportation? So, by next week, which is very close, we are not shifting ground on this issue.
“We cannot do such in their countries, so they must respect our laws,” Adewale said.

Maritime

Lagos Ready For International Boat Race–LASWA

Published

22 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The Lagos State Government says it is fully prepared to host the forthcoming international boat race, assuring participants and residents of adequate safety on waterways.

The General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Emmanuel Oluwadamilola, while speaking to Newsmen, at the Weekend, said the state had over the years invested heavily in safety infrastructure to secure its waterways.

Oluwadamilola explained that Lagos had consistently enhanced facilities, making it the safest state for water transportation in Nigeria, with all necessary safety infrastructure in place.

He said patrol boats had been deployed, while collaboration with the Marine Police and the Nigerian Navy would ensure effective surveillance across the waterways.

He added that Lagos now operated a control room using advanced technology to monitor waterways, describing it as the best time to host such an event.

According to him, the government had also undertaken shoreline cleaning, provided security boats, and designated docking zones for vessels participating in the competition.

“We are delighted this race can now happen in Lagos, proving the state’s readiness and capacity to successfully host such an international event,” he said

Maritime

NCS Sensitises Stakeholders On Automated Overtime Cargo Clearance System

Published

22 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has sensitised stakeholders in Zones B and D ob the newly introduced Automated Overtime Cargo Clearance and Disposal System.

The sensitisation, held at the Customs Training College, Goron Dutse, Kano, at the Weekend, was themed ‘Driving Transparency, Efficiency and Accountability in Cargo Clearance’.

Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the initiative was designed to deliver an efficient, transparent, and technology-driven process for managing overtime cargo clearance and disposal.

Represented by the Controller in charge of Post Clearance Audit Zone B, Mrs Deborah Adeyemi, Adeniyi said the system would address congestion, paperwork, bottlenecks, abandoned cargo and delays in clearance processes that had slowed economic activity.

“This initiative marks a turning point in our operations.

“With the Automated Overtime Cargo Clearance and Disposal System, we are demonstrating that Customs can be both a facilitator of trade and a guarantor of integrity,” the CGC said.

Adeniyi explained that the platform would enable the stakeholders, including consignees, customs brokers, terminal operators, and customs officers, to apply, track and receive approvals online without physical contact.

He said the system was backed by the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, which provides the legal framework for electronic processes, overtime cargo timelines and disposal consignments after 120 days, with provisions for condemnation, auction or other disposal methods.

The Custom’s boss listed the benefits to include transparency through time-stamped actions, accountability through strict timelines, efficiency in terminal operations and data integrity with all documents integrated on Customs servers.

He urged stakeholders across the commands in Kano/Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger and Kogi to familiarise themselves with the process, train their teams and constructively engage with Customs officers for effective implementation.

“The Nigeria Customs Service is not merely automating a process, we are transforming a culture.

“Delay, opacity and congestion are being replaced with efficiency, transparency and accountability,” the CGC said.

In his remarks, the Customs Area Controller, Kano/Jigawa Command, Mr Dalhatu Abubakar, assured the stakeholders that the command was committed to eliminating overtime cargo.

“As terminal operators, with proper sensitisation and capacity building, we have no reason to admit cargo as overtime in Kano.

“I urge you to take this opportunity seriously to achieve that,” he said.

Also speaking, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Headquarters, A. A Abdulkadir, explained that the system was not new but a digital transformation of the manual overtime cargo clearance process, which comes with added simplicity and efficiency.

The Chairman, Clearing Agents Association, Kano, Alhaji Hafiz Rilwan, on behalf of the stakeholders, commended the CGC for the initiative and pledged to support its implementation through wider sensitisation.

Maritime

Minister Tasks Academy On Thorough-Bred Professionals

Published

22 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has charged the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) to remain committed towards producing thorough-bred professionals for the maritime industry.

Oyetola gave the charge at the 2025 third quarter Citizens’ and Stakeholders’ Engagement of the Institution, in Oron, Akwa Ibom State, with the theme ‘Implementation of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy for Onboard Training of Nigerian Merchants Navy Cadets and the Critical Needs of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria’.

Represented by the Deputy Director, Research, Planning and Statistics, MAN, Joshua Ayebameru, the minister urged the authorities of the institution not to compromise standards.

Oyetola said “Over the years, the academy has trained qualified personnel for the maritime industry. The academy remains a cornerstone institution in the maritime sector.

“Through its programmes, training, and commitment to excellence, the academy continues to produce the manpower required to keep the sector vibrant and competitive”.

Oyetola further stated that the engagement was to enable stakeholders brainstorm on how to advance Nigeria’s marine and blue economy through collaborations, training and innovation.

He insisted that seafarers, cadets, and other maritime professionals from the institution must be well-equipped to compete globally and to drive the growth and sustenance of the sector.

The minister called for stakeholders collaboration towards developing the maritime sector, saying, “the future of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy depends on all of us”

In his remarks, the Chairman of MAN’s Governing Council, Kehinde Akinola, said that the council had developed a comprehensive five-year strategic development plan for the academy.

Akinola said that the plan, when approved, would accelerate institutional reforms, enhance training standards, deepen industry linkages, and reposition the academy for greater efficiency.

He said that the governing council was partnering shipowners and operators to secure practical training for the cadets.

“It is an obligation because we must prepare our cadets to meet international standards,” he said.

Earlier, Dr Kevin Okonna, the Acting Rector of the academy, Dr Kevin Okonna, noted that the academy, within the past 10 months, had been repositioned to enhance teaching and learning.

Okonna said that the institution had been collaborating with maritime professional associations and the academy’s alumni to facilitate the employment of more maritime professionals.

“We have employed about seven marine professional lecturers to enhance cadets teaching and learning.

“We have also obtained the commitment of shipowners and their associations to provide onboard training opportunities for our cadets,” he said.