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Lawmaker Charges Okrika Speed Boat Drivers On Safety

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15 years ago

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A member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, representing Okrika Constituency, Hon. Belema Okpokiri has enjoined speed boat drivers in Okrika to be safety conscious at all time.

Hon Okpokiri, who made the call during a meeting with a newly formed Okrika marine stakeholders forum in Port Harcourt said this became necessary following the ugly incident that occurred on Christmas Eve which led to the untimely death of a 6–year old boy at the Abuloma Jetty Waterfront.

He said such could be avoided if the driver had been a bit conscious, despite the indiscriminate packing of barges and thug boats, adding that they should always regard safety as their watchword.

According to him, the meeting was conneyed in order to address the issue of indiscriminate parking of barges and thug boats along the Marine Base, Abuloma, Okrika water ways, saying that as stakeholders in Marine Business they should find a lasting solution to ensure that the waterways are not blocked and there is free flow of boats in the area.

The lawmaker decried the attitude of some youths at Abuloma Waterfront and warned them to desist as all necessary machineries are being put in place to make the water ways safer and convenient, calling on the Ministry of Transport, Rivers State, National Inland Waterways and other relevant authorities to ensure the safety of passengers and remove the wrecks as well as smooth speed boat operations along the area.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Okrika Local Government Area, Barr. Tamuno Williams who described the meeting as timely said all hands must be on deck to ensure the safety of all passengers, and sympathised with the family of the young boy that lost his life in a boat mishap at the Abuloma Jetty, stressing that the people of Okrika would not condone such act of lawlessness by the operators of the Jetty.

Barr. Williams however disclosed that the Council had concluded arrangement to site flood lights at the waterfronts of some communities in the area for safety at night and also enjoined the operators of the Abuloma Jetty to do same, while noting that his end of year free transport scheme of December 31, 2011 to January 1, 2012 from Marine Base to Okrika would be extended to other communities in the area this year, and also thanked the lawmaker for his effort.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman, Peoples Democratic party (PDP), Okrika Chapter, Hon. Gilbert Fiberesima, the Chairman, Okrika Speed Boat Owners Association, Chief Opeya Sunday, among others.  House, Abuloma, Moses Pina, Sir Dan Harrison, Chairman Marine Equipment Owners/Leasing Association of Nigeria, Abuloma, Elder F.S. Elijah of Fiala Marine Jetty Abuloma, J.E. Job of Adam Marine Services Abuloma among others.

 

Collins Barasimeye

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Business

Navy Hands Over Five Suspected Stowaways to NIS

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3 weeks ago

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June 29, 2026

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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
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Business

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

Published

3 weeks ago

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June 29, 2026

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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
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Maritime

NCS Holds Free Medical Outreach For 2,000 Daura Residents 

Published

2 months ago

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May 18, 2026

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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.
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