Maritime Agencies
BOAT MISHAPS: Training Key To Overcoming the Menace, NIWA Insists
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Saturday, March 9, 2024, the Lagos Area Office of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) mobilized what an industry watcher has described as the highest number, in recent times, of boat captains and deck hands invited to join hands with the waterways regulator to deliberate and fashion out how best to address a nagging matter: frequent boat mishaps. The well-attended gathering was for operators from Zone A comprising Badagry, Tincan and Ijegun area.
It was a no-holds- barred engagement. Boat operators – irrespective of status – were offered unfettered opportunity devoid of any encumbrances to air their views on the issue of safety at sea. Boat drivers and deck hands who ordinarily would feel shy saying the truth in the presence of their bosses and the regulator were encouraged to speak out while their employers were urged to freely accommodate candid views from their subordinates for the sole purpose of achieving safety on the inland waterways, going forward.
In his opening remarks, NIWA Managing Director, Hon Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji represented by the Manager, Lagos Area Office, Engr (Dr) Sarat Braimah, urged all present to see the day’s engagement as a free thing designed to take a serious look at reasons boat mishaps persist on Lagos waters despite all measures the agency has put in place to curtail or even eradicate it. Have people been failing in roles they play or are supposed to play to curb the menace? What are the problems of captains, deck hands, passengers, government regulators and any other stakeholder? How are these to be realistically tackled to collectively offer a reliable platform to address incidents of boat mishaps in the Lagos area? Are there things the regular is yet to do to solve this nagging issue? Are there fresh ideas and suggestions that can help out?
For captains, Engr Braimah reeled out a number of competencies and skills they must not do without. Prominent among these is proficiency in swimming. How many of them can swim during emergencies? She requested those among this group who cannot swim to willingly show up to be trained by NIWA since they are the first line of help to passengers should there be a boat mishap.
“Today is not a day to blame anybody but a time to open up on reasons for frequent boat accidents.”
To her, training for all category of boat handlers remains a constant factor that must never be overlooked because it exposes the trainee to all rudiments, activities and processes he must be familiar with to ensure safety of all on a boat.
Last two incidents in Banana Island, Lagos, she explained, were caused by captains who left the channel and drove to the shore. The second incident occurred because the captain of the boat involved in was struggling with another boat in a speed competition. Speed competition on water? For what purpose?
“Training, training, training is compulsory. I know it’s difficult to get money in Nigeria today. But you must suffer yourself and struggle to pay to get training. Please starve yourself to get trained. If you don’t have your boat captain’s licence, you can’t be on the waterways.”
She emphasized that training would have exposed the boat captains to know when and how to move to the shore or the implications of boats competing for speed especially in a marine environment fraught with uncertainties.
Among their complaints, the boat drivers complained of meagre payments that cannot sustain them.
They requested NIWA to reduce the fees for training to enable them afford it. Reacting, Engr Braimah encouraged them to imbibe the habit of saving to raise the money, realizing the implications of not getting trained on their job.
“You can’t sit down in your house and learn”.
Corroborating Engr Braimah’s stand, Saka Stephen, a boat captain, confirmed that training is very important as it offers needed skills in navigation, weather reading, how to mount ropes, among other skills. Training, Stephen emphasized, cannot be compromised.
In his intervention, Comrade Friday Essien appealed to NIWA to streamline the cost of her licence with the one from NIMASA which, he stated, is cheaper.
Prominent among causes of boat mishaps, the operators said, is the physical condition and old age of boats. There are those of fibre, wood and others with holes which continuously battle with uncertainties which include water streaming in during voyage.
There is also the presence of wrecks majorly caused by people who throw all kinds of junks into the water. In most cases, these wrecks are not visible and cannot be sighted by captains and drivers. They appealed that these be identified and promptly removed as boats don’t have what it takes to detect or remove them from the channel.
Exchanging views with the press after the well-attended event, Engr Braimah advised captains and boat drivers to always cool down to know the rights and wrongson the waterways.
We have told them that they should not sail at night.
“Actually, I can say that 80% of night sailing is not in Lagos. We have told them why they should let us have information whenever they see any wrecks on the waterways so that these can be removed immediately. Some of these wrecks are caused by dredgers. We know all dredgers on the inland waterways. We will call to tell them what to do with the wrecks.”
Speaking on boat seaworthiness, she announced that henceforth, NIWA intensify quarterly inspections to ensure boats are seaworthy.
“Before now, all Ikorodu boats have been inspected. The ones qualified for now are allowed to sail; those not qualified will not be allowed until they are refurbished. We are working with the Marine Police.”
Lately, maritime stakeholders have urged the Federal Government to consider offering loans to boat operators from the CVFF to enable them procure new boats and make repayments installmentally.
Aligning with this view, the Area Manager observed that most boats in use now are old even as most boat owners do not have the funds to buy new ones.
“Government has to come in maybe through forming cooperatives, to concretize arrangements so that it will not be easy to evade repayment if such loans are secured. To get a good boat is nothing less than N70K or N80 million, “she explained.
Braimah also reiterated the importance of lifebuoys which 6 or more passengers can hold on to so as to remain stable and avoid panic during an emergency.
To check overspeeding, NIWA has also instructed that speedometers be installed on boats at least for passengers to know when overspeeding is taking place.
Concerning cost of training, splitting the sum into 30 – 30% initial instalment payment and completing it before collecting the certificate gives a trainee a soft landing.
“I believe in training because there’s nothing you can learn or do even in the corridor of your house without experience acquired through training. How do you not have a licence and you want to drive a boat? It’s like being a doctor without going to school. Training is key; that’s what I have been telling the associations that it is better we work together and help ourselves.”
“They can’t be saying that N80,000 is too big for training. It’s not like they’re doing this training every year. It’s for three years. This money is paid once in three years.
NIWA, she stated, has zoned patrols to Ikorodu, Epe and Badagry axis.
“When they know that NIWA patrol is coming, they (boat drivers) will take caution. It’s just like Police being on the road. We have the personnel and that’s why we put ourselves in groups. For instance, in the Lagos Area Office, we’re almost 50 staff plus the Marine Police and the Joint Task Force (JTF).
In his submission earlier, Emmanuel Prowess, a trainer and Licenced Life Guard at Landmark Beach took time to dwell on the importance of life jacket. He urged captains, deck hands and drivers to always check and wear their life jackets while on water.
“Develop the habit of putting your life jacket on before asking passengers to do same. Have excess for passengers and always wash and clean them. To earn the commitment and good conduct of boat drivers, captains and boat owners must provide reasonable incentives to make them happy.”
Concerning boat inspection survey, it is mandatory, the trainer said, that captains inspect and ascertain the readiness of boat engines before navigation. Driving at a cautious speed, he said, enables the boat overcome waves and other natural occurrences.
Passenger loading must not exceed the specific number approved for the boat.
On rescue operation, he said the captain who must possess sound swimming experience should take the lead.
“Knowledge is important. Knowing how to swim places him (the captain) in a position to secure himself and be able to save the passengers.
“When your boat begins to take in water, take it towards the shore. At the jetty, your engine must be on stand-by.
Speed control is very important. An old engine cannot run at its maximum speed: the younger, the faster and better.”
He explained that captains must be conversant with the geography of their areas of operation so as not to infringe on the rights of fishermen and others that maritime laws permit to ply their trade on water. Their fishing nets must not be unduly tampered with. Similarly, dredgers and their equipments have rights that must not be violated.
When approaching a jetty, Emmanuel Prowess counselled, captains must not allow passengers disembark immediately until he secures and anchors the vessel. Before take-off too, all passengers must be secure and settled in the boat. Passenger manifest is a must.
Engr Sarat Braimah implored captains and boat drivers to promptly report to NIWA the presence of wrecks, dredgers, pipes,etc on the channel for necessary action. She distributed dedicated phone numbers for this purpose.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The retired Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Effiong Harrison has described the posting of his successor, Comptroller Chidi Chukwumeziri Nwokorie from the Kebbi Area Customs Command as a welcome development, praising his background and experience as assets the Command stands to gain from.
Retired Comptroller Effiong Harrison spoke in Lagos, Wednesday, September 10, while handing over the leadership of the MMIA Command to Comptroller Chidi Chukwumeziri Nwokorie, following his disengagement after 35 years of meritorious service.
In his valedictory remarks, Harrison expressed gratitude to officers and men of the command for their dedication and professionalism during his tenure.
“I want to express my appreciation to all of you from different units and to all of the services that we have rendered to the government and ourselves as members of the Nigeria Customs Service. In our time, we had no incident or trouble that warranted somebody being dismissed or interdicted. We leveraged on intelligence and worked in the best possible way, day and night”, he said.
“When I heard that the new Customs Area Controller (Nwokorie) is coming from Kebbi, I felt highly elated, that at least we have somebody who will have the national security consciousness at the back of his mind. I am confident that, from your experiences in other sectors and the service you have rendered to your country, you will be able to take us to the next level”, he noted.
He urged officers to extend their loyalty and support to the new Customs Area Controller to sustain the progress achieved at the command.
In his response, Comptroller Nwokorie thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the MMIA Command.
“I want to thank the Almighty God for a special day like this. I also thank the CGC, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for finding me worthy to come and represent him here. While sitting here, there’s no way I’ll know everything that’s happening. You, the officers on the field, are my eyes. I strongly believe that we will all work together in peace and harmony”, he stated.
The new Customs Area Controller assured officers he would adopt an open-door policy and inclusive leadership style. He pledged to work as a team player in driving the Command’s performance and contributions to national revenue, security and trade facilitation.
Maritime Agencies
LEKKI FREE TRADE ZONE CUSTOMS: Comptroller Abubakar Decorates Promoted Officers, Stresses Hard Work, Dedication to Duty.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
In furtherance of her commitment to hard work, dedication and promotion of the spirit of service which are special attributes that define operations in the Nigeria Customs Service, the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) Command, Wednesday, decorated officers who benefitted from the recent staff promotions nationwide.
Speaking during the event, the LFTZ Customs Area Controller, Comptroller (Mrs) HKA Abubakar announced that a total of 29 officers and men were favoured in the promotions.
”I am pleased to inform you that a total of twenty-nine (29) officers and men of the Command have been promoted as follows:
Deputy Controller (DC) to Controller (CC) – 2, Assistant Controller (AC) to Deputy Controller (DC) – 6, Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) to Assistant Controller (AC) – 5 and Superintendent of Customs (SC) to Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) – 7.”
”Deputy Superintendent of Customs (DSC) to Superintendent of Customs (SC) – 2, Assistant Superintendent of Customs I (ASC I) to Deputy Superintendent of Customs (DSC) – 2, Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASC II) to Assistant Superintendent of Customs I (ASC I) – 2, Inspector of Customs (IC) to Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASC II) – 2 and Assistant Inspector of Customs (AIC) to Inspector of Customs (IC) – 1″.
According to Comptroller Abubakar, promotion in the Service is not given lightly but earned through commitment, discipline and the consistent demonstration of capacity and integrity in the discharge of duty.
”For those we are decorating today,”she added, “this recognition is a testament to your perseverance, loyalty, and invaluable contributions to the growth and success of this Command and the Service at large.”
She reminded the celebrants and other officers that promotion to higher ranks come with greater responsibilities.
” Promotion is not only a reward but also a call to higher expectations. You are now positioned to serve as role models, to inspire your subordinates, and to raise the standard of professionalism, discipline and efficiency within our Command.”
”The Lagos Free Trade Zone Command has continued to play a strategic role in revenue generation, trade facilitation and enforcement of Customs laws. Our collective progress is made possible by the unwavering commitment of officers like those we honour today. It is my firm belief that this promotion will further energize you to contribute more diligently to our common objectives of improved revenue, compliance in Free Zones and the Port, as well as stronger stakeholder engagement.”
She enjoined officers not favoured in the promotion not to despair but to continue to demonstrate resilience and loyalty to duty.
”Be assured that your efforts are recognized, and in due time, your turn will surely come. The Service remains fair and just in rewarding hard work.”
Appreciating sister agencies who honoured the Command’s invitation to the decoration event, she said their attendance, solidarity and collaboration remain invaluable in the discharge of the Command’s collective responsibilities.
”Your support not only strengthens inter-agency synergy but also reinforces the spirit of partnership needed to enhance national security, trade facilitation and revenue generation. On behalf of the Command, we thank you sincerely for joining us on this special occasion and for your continued cooperation in service to our nation.”
For the newly decorated officers and their families, she stated that the promotion serves as a source of renewed strength, motivation, and commitment.
”I urge you all to continue to give your best, uphold the values of the Service, and justify the confidence reposed in you,” Comptroller Abubakar concluded.
Maritime Agencies
PTML CUSTOMS: Comptroller Joe Anani Takes Over from ACG Daniyan, Harps on Improved Compliance.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Comptroller Joe Anani, the new Customs Area Controller of the PTML Command of the Nigeria Customs Service says the successful roll-out and subsequent revenue collection and trade facilitation achievements associated with the B’Odogwu, the Unified Customs Management System, remains a great milestone that must be improved upon.
He has, therefore, implored all customs officers, sister government agencies and private sector stakeholders to join hands with him in the journey to keep the great records of Ports Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) high.
He particularly appealed to stakeholders to always stick to compliance because they stand to benefit more from being on the right side of the law at all times.
Comptroller Anani stated this in Lagos, Friday, while taking over the mantle of leadership from the immediate-past Controller, ACG Tenny Daniyan, at a brief but colourful ceremony marking the change of guards. Describing the Command and stakeholders as well organised, he promised to build on the various pioneering feats recorded by his predecessor. He enjoined everyone to feel free to interact with him either directly through visits or virtually.
“While thanking God and the CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for the opportunity to serve here, let me state that our journey to succeed must remain a collective task. I am not here to do it alone.”
”I hereby call on all customs officers, sister government agencies, private sector stakeholders and the press to support me in our goal to sustain PTML as a model port of excellence, known for security, efficiency and diligent trade facilitation”.
”I pledge to build and improve on the gains achieved by my predecessors in the area of faster cargo clearance which aligns with Time Release Study (TRS) programme.
”I am aware that this Command holds an outstanding record of two hour cargo release time for compliant RoRo consignment. The key word here is compliance. With improved compliance and efficient system, we can do less than two hours”.
Compliance, he recalled, is the key to trade facilitation. It is critical for smooth port operations and ensures adherence to regulations, reduces delays, mitigates risks and fosters trust among trading partners.
”Compliance minimises bottlenecks and enhances efficiency in global trade and PTML cannot be an exception.”
” I want to urge all our stakeholders to imbibe the tenets of compliance because it results in a win-win situation for everyone, saving time and money. Whereas non compliance leads to interventions, issuance of demand notices, waste of time and possible seizure , detention and arrest. Let’s continue to make this area a great example that it has always been.
He promised full enforcement of the CGC’s directive on zero tolerance for smuggling even as he acknowledged that stakeholders are already on the right track.
Welcoming Comptroller Anani, stakeholders who turned out in their numbers commended ACG Daniyan for his outstanding performance in seeing to the success of B’Odogwu from its pilot phase to full deployment across various commands nationwide. They described the ACG’s leadership as outstanding with trail blazing effects on increased trade, revenue ,anti smuggling and robust interaction with stakeholders.
The President of the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) Otunba Frank Ogunojemite described Daniyan as a man whose records speak volumes positively. He urged ACG Daniyan to carry his working zeal ahead into NCS management team.
Chairman of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, PTML Chapter, Chief Charles Nwarrienne described Daniyan as an excellent officer deserving to be issued a “certificate of project completion” for diligently achieving the success of B’Odogwu from beginning to a state of consolidation.
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LEKKI FREE TRADE ZONE CUSTOMS: Comptroller Abubakar Decorates Promoted Officers, Stresses Hard Work, Dedication to Duty.
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