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
Comptroller Oshoba of the Apapa Customs Command has said that the latest seizures highlights the Command’s unwavering vigilance and preparedness to intercept prohibited items, particularly illicit drugs that endanger public health, safety and national security. He emphasized that the action aligns with the zero-tolerance directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR against all forms of illicit trade in the nation’s ports.
The CAC reaffirms the Command’s resolve to facilitate legitimate trade while rigorously enforcing the law against the importation of prohibited and restricted goods even as he commended officers of the Command for their diligence and professionalism in carrying out the examination.
The Comptroller was unveiling Twenty-Six Billion, Five Hundred and Sixty- Nine Million, Eight Hundred and Forty-Seven Thousand,Seven Hundred and Seventy-One Naira (₦26,569,847,771) only worth of Cannabis Indica weighing 4,143.5 kilograms confiscated during a routine examination in collaboration with the personnel of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Command’s Enforcement Unit.
Relying on credible intelligence together with the NDLEA, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba had directed that the 1×40ft container number FANU1933352, be subjected to thorough examination which resulted in the discovery on Friday, 10 July 2026.
The container was found to contain Three (3) used vehicles- Red Nissan Micra (2015 model) Black Toyota Corolla S (2019 model) and Gray Toyota Corolla (2015 model) A thorough search of the container led to the discovery of 162 bags containing a total of 8,287 parcels of Cannabis Indica. Each parcel weighs 500 grams.
A breakdown of the seizure shows that Four (4) bags were found concealed inside the Red Nissan Micra (2015 model). The remaining 158 bags were recovered from the floor of the container and in the spaces between the 3 vehicles. No illicit substances were found in the Black Toyota Corolla S (2019 model) or the Gray Toyota Corolla (2015 model).
According to a release by Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, the Command’s image maker, the CAC said:
”This seizure once again demonstrates our untiring commitment in ensuring that only lawful trade thrives in Apapa Port. As we intensify investigation into the matter, I want to reiterate that this command has made the port a no go area for any thing forbidden by our laws.
”Let me use this opportunity to rebuild the confidence of our compliant traders and assure them once again that they would always enjoy the many trade facilitation incentives emplaced by the Comptroller General of Customs”, he concluded.
Comptroller Oshoba ordered the seizure of the 1×40ft container in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and extant laws.
Maritime Agencies
STARZS INVESTMENTS COMPANY LTD: 40 Years of Private Indigenous Initiative, Shaping Nigeria’s Maritime Future.
The crew of Falcon Watch Online was in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to cover the 40th anniversary celebration of excellence, resilience and impactful contributions to Nigeria’s maritime industry hosted by Starzs Investments Company Ltd. In this report, we bring you the first part of our coverage of the Maritime Symposium which peaked the 7-day event.
Izuchukwu Ozoemena reports.
More than anything else, the analogy of the mustard seed aptly captures the story surrounding the establishment and growth of STARZS Investments Company Limited (SICL), Nigeria’s foremost shipping-owning and marine logistics conglomerate, which marked her 40th anniversary in a grand style last week.
In 1986, a Shell-trained young marine engineer, Engr Greg Ogbeifun, in the shipping parlance, chose open waters instead of safe harbours. He began, not with a fleet, but with a single consultancy practice at a time when indigenous participation in offshore marine logistics was almost non-existent and foreign conlomerates controlled nearly every vessel moving through Nigerian waters. That was the safe harbour most professionals would have stayed in. Engr Ogbeifun did not. And for the singular purpose of that drive, vision and commitment, it was said, his establishment blossomed leading to a grand 40th anniversary celebration in 2026.
Addressing the rich assemblage of who-is- who in Nigeria’s marine sector, policy makers and oil and gas moguls at the Maritime Symposium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, SICL Managing Director/CEO, Ms Iroghama Ogbeifun amplified this scenario of personal doggedness and unwavering vision when she recalled that forty years ago, one man’s vision set sail, and today that vision has become an institution, and “tomorrow, together we chart the course for the next generation of African maritime excellence.”
”Today is more than a celebration of a company reaching a remarkable milestone. Forty years, we will be beings, like they say. It is a celebration of vision, of resilience, of innovation, and the enduring power of purpose.”
”Forty years ago, STARZS began with a bold, very, very bold aspiration to build a world-class indigenous maritime economy that would contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s offshore energy industry. Four decades later, we stand on the shoulders of that vision, grateful for how far we have come and inspired by the possibilities that lie ahead. This occasion is particularly meaningful to me.
She explained that as a managing director and a representative of the second generation of leadership, she does not need to be constantly reminded that true leadership is not merely about inheriting an institution. It is about honoring a legacy while courageously preparing it for the future. With her crew, she said, it has become a privilege to build upon foundations laid through years of sacrifice, integrity, and professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
”Our responsibility is not only to preserve what has been built, but to strengthen it, modernize it, and position it for another 40 years of impact. The maritime industry is evolving rapidly. There’s digital transformation, decarbonization, local content development advancement, AI, energy transition, and of course regional integration.
These are all redefining the future of shipping and offshore logistics. These changes present both challenges and extraordinary opportunities for Nigerian companies. That’s why today is so important.
”Today’s symposium provides an opportunity for meaningful dialogue amongst policymakers, industry leaders, regulators, and the private sector. Together we can explore practical solutions that will strengthen Nigeria’s maritime competitiveness, deepen indigenous participation, and begin to develop the next generation of maritime professionals. We want to see more companies like STARZS emerge where second generation leadership takes charge.”
Ms Iroghama Ogbeifun explained that the day’s event was carefully designed not only as a celebration of the present attainments of SICL but as a platform to discuss what to do to build a globally competitive maritime ecosystem.
” How do we strengthen indigenous participation while remaining internationally competitive? How do we accelerate innovation without compromising safety? How do we prepare our workforce for the technologies that will define the future? How do we ensure that the blue economy becomes a catalyst for sustainable national prosperity? These are conversations that matter not just to Starzs but to our industry and also to the future of Nigeria.”
”So, as we celebrate our past, we must also ask ourselves an important question. What legacy are we building for the generations that will come after us? I believe our greatest achievement will not simply be the vessels we own, the contracts we execute, and the milestones that we celebrate.”
It will be the institutions that we strengthen, the people that we develop, the standards that we uphold, and the opportunities we create for future generations of Nigerians.”
She lavishly thanked Starzs’ clients and partners for their trust over the past 40 years. She appreciated regulators and government institutions for creating an enabling environment that functions to support indigenous participation and industry growth.
Not left out were the company’s employees who, according to her, are at the heart of the organization, cherishing their dedication, professionalism and resilience.
She pledged an unwavering commitment to the pursuit and achievement of the founder’s legacy which remains the overriding inspiration.
Maritime Agencies
Starzs Group Emphasizes Sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility, Urges Government to Strengthen Education Infrastructure.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
As part of activities marking its 40th anniversary, Starzs Investments Company Limited (SICL) on Wednesday commissioned a 6,000-litre solar-powered borehole and renovated male and female toilet facilities at Government Secondary School, Ogu, in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area , Onne, Rivers State.
Commissioning the projects, the company’s Managing Director, Ms Iroghama Ogbeifun, described the intervention as the first of many collaborative initiatives with the school and urged the school management to ensure proper maintenance and sustainability.
”We dedicate this project, which will be by God’s grace, the first of many, in our collaboration with this community and with this school, in honour of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
She also unveiled the commemorative plaque marking the company’s 40th anniversary.
”I also use the opportunity to unveil the plaque that will memorialize us as a business concern, in celebration of our 40th anniversary.-
“Starzs Investments Company Limited Solar Powered Ogu-Bolo Project, installed by Starzs Investments Company Limited. This water facility was installed to support access to clean and sustainable water for the school, transforming lives one boat at a time.”
Community leaders, including Engr. Boma Dasinokuma, as well as the school’s Principal and Vice Principal, pledged to ensure the facilities are properly maintained.
Addressing journalists, Ogbeifun said the intervention reflects Starzs’ commitment to sustainable corporate social responsibility, while stressing that the provision and maintenance of public school infrastructure remain the responsibility of government.
Speaking on the state of infrastructure at the schools visited, the MD said;
”For me, it’s a call for action to the government. It’s as simple as that. And the more we begin to talk about it, the better.
”The government has the core responsibility to ensure that these schools are maintained. Since this school was built in 2018, it has not been maintained or painted by the government. So why did the government build it? You can’t build schools with a plan that private companies will come here and do what you are meant to do.”
She maintained that while companies should continue to support education through corporate social responsibility, government must not abdicate its constitutional responsibilities.
”Yes, we encourage companies to come and do what they can but the core responsibility remains with government. And government must be called to action to live up to their responsibility and not wait for private companies.
”Whatever a private company does should just be an extra. They should be coming here and saying I want to give them what they don’t already have. What government has not already given to them.
”That’s what I’m saying. Let me come and put playground here and not to give you water to be able to flush your toilet. That’s unacceptable as far as I’m concerned.”
She explained that Starzs carefully chose projects that would have long-term impact on communities.
”Starzs Investments Company Limited is celebrating 40 years of existence. We haven’t only just existed, we have also thrived, by God’s grace!
”And in marking such a significant milestone, we have taken it upon ourselves to visit different communities, particularly the schools, to do some CSR projects. And they have ranged from tree planting, environmental maintenance, to more importantly, infrastructure projects.”
Ogbeifun said the lack of clean water and functional sanitation facilities in schools has significant health and hygiene implications for pupils and teachers alike.
”There are many implications of not having running water in a school like this, especially in this days. We have children from different levels of education. From kindergarten to primary, secondary and they don’t have clean, running water. And obviously, we must talk about the health implications of that. We must talk about the sanitary implications of that. And there are also teachers who live here. So, imagine not having access to running water…
”The toilets have not been used in years because there was no water. And one of the biggest problems that they also have is power. So, even if you drill a borehole, the borehole has to move with a pump and that pump has to be powered.
”So, my team came up with the idea of installing a solar-powered borehole. This will be the second kind of project that we as Starzs have executed. The other one was built in a community very close to where our office operates. So, this will be our second solar-powered borehole project.”
Expressing satisfaction with the quality of the work, she said the project had restored functional sanitation facilities to the school and would positively influence pupils’ health and behaviour.
” I’m very, very satisfied with what my team has done especially given the timeline, the time frame that was given to them to execute.
”It’s a fantastic job. We’ve gone around. We’ve seen the solar project. We’ve seen the borehole. We’ve tested it. We’ve visited the toilets that were renovated and cleaned up.
”All of them are working in two different classroom blocks. We have toilets in two different classroom blocks-for junior secondary and the senior secondary. Upstairs and downstairs. The water is running, the pressure is very good. It’s very satisfactory!
”I’m very happy with what I’ve seen. It will help the children to develop the right mindset. We are showing them that squatting outside in public is not the standard. Even for civilization. What we have done here today is correcting that mindset.
”And showing them that this is the standard sanitary practice. That you can have a toilet. You sit on it. Then when you’re done, you clean it up. You flush it. And the water comes out. Then you can also wash your hands in the sink.
”So, that way, when the teachers are teaching them about washing their hands in school; they’re not looking at you, lost. Like where do I wash my hands? Where is the running water to wash my hands?
”That’s the basic privilege of a child. Or a young child growing up. It should not be seen as a privilege. It’s a basic entitlement, as far as I’m concerned. So, for us as Starzs, we’re so happy that we could support the school management in this endeavor. To give them something that has sustainability attached to it. That is very important to us.
”Because with that borehole that is powered by solar, the school will always have running water. And then, we also connected their staff quarters so they can benefit from the existence of this borehole.
”So I think my in my heart… I feel a sense of fulfillment today. I must be honest. I’ve gone to a lot of other projects. But this one has impacted me the most because I know the implication of having running water, especially as a child.”
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