Maritime Agencies
BRT-TRAIN COLLISION: CILT Mourns, Tasks Government To Streamline Rail and Road Infrastructure.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport of Nigeria (CILTN) has stated that in line with international best practices, it is compulsory that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) provides and maintains rail-specific infrastructure such as barriers, gate houses, rails and level crossings with adequate signage and audio warnings to alert motor vehicles on the approach of locomotives especially at intersections.
Road transport infrastructure, it says,
are designed, constructed and maintained by a public service system separate from the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) which owns and maintains rail tracks and operates the trains. Therefore, some level of delineation measures must be on ground to avoid collision and loss of lives.
CILTN President, Barr Mrs Mfon Usoro stated this while commiserating with the families of victims of the BRT-train collision in Ikeja, Thursday, which claimed six lives with many passengers suffering various degrees of injury.
To forestall such occurrence, going forward, CILTN recommends a clear demarcation of responsibilities and efficient coordination between the road authority and the rail authority in managing intersections in the short term.
“The party responsible for funding safe operations of the rail infrastructure should be revisited. The present system of shared financial responsibility for the provision, manning and maintenance of the safety of infrastructure at intersections, CILTN observed, appears cumbersome and leaves room for lack of accountability.
It called for proper delineation of roles and adequate budgetary funding for the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
“There are minimum safe distances that must be observed at stops and intersections. A train requires a minimum of 320m adequate distance (safety over-run). This implies that to stop a train in motion, the driver must apply the brake about 320m to the stop point.”
“Level crossings are essential safety infrastructure for the free flow of transportation where there are intersections between two or more modes of transport”, CILTN stated.
The Institute said it is extremely difficult to successfully manoeuvre and stop a train in motion with shorter safety over-run.
This makes it necessary to install functional and well-manned road safety infrastructure at specific points and intersections. These barrier include road bumps, speed retarders, etc. In addition, law enforcement agents should be stationed at the level crossings to compliment the work of gate keepers.
CILTN called for aggressive safety awareness campaigns by relevant agencies such as the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and State traffic agencies to educate commuters on safety on the road and rail.
As a long term measure, CILTN suggested, number of intersections should be reduced even as separate routes for rail tracks and roads is encouraged.
“New constructions should, as far as is practicable, not include intersections in designs. Flyovers or tunnels are preferred options.”
Mrs Usoro commended the Federal Government for empanelling with despatch an investigation into the Ikeja train crash.
“The CILT re-iterates its call for the Government to set up an independent body that will be tasked with investigation of all transport-related accidents as recommended in the National Transport Policy. It is not best practice to expect the agencies directly or indirectly involved in accidents to investigate themselves.”
Expressing concerns about the delay in birthing the proposed National Transport Commission and the National Transport Safety Board, CITLN urged the Transportation Minister to submit the National Transport Policy to the FEC for approval.
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) is the world’s leading international professional body for all sectors of the Logistics and Transport Industry. CILT provides authoritative views on systems and policies relating to Logistics and Transport for government and industry. It parades highly knowledgeable, skilled and experienced professionals capable of enhancing efficiency in the transport sector applying best global practices.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL), the security outfit keeping surveillance over oil and gas installations and other critical assets in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, has secured an approval to deliver a technical lecture on Drone Security at the 2026 edition of the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC). This lecture will spotlight the use of drone technology in offshore oil platform protection.
The presentation, scheduled for next year’s global gathering of energy innovation will showcase Tantita’s pioneering efforts in leveraging unmanned aerial systems to monitor and secure Nigeria’s vast offshore assets.
Confirming the development, the company’s Executive Director of Technical and Operations, Captain Dr. Warredi Enisuoh, noted that the approval from OTC reflects growing international recognition of Tantita’s operational successes and technological innovation.
Tantita’s lecture will delve into real-time surveillance, threat detection, and collaborative frameworks for maritime security, aligning with OTC’s broader focus on digitalization, sustainability, and cross-sector innovation in offshore energy.
The 2026 conference is expected to attract thousands of global stakeholders, including engineers, policymakers, and investors, offering a platform for knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships.
Maritime Agencies
Stakeholders Cry Out, Seek FG’s Intervention To Avoid a Return of Apapa Gridlock.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
As renewed tanker and truck build-up begin to show up on the ports access route in Apapa, there are strong indications that the infamous traffic gridlock that once crippled business activities in Apapa and environs is gradually resurfacing, threatening to paralyze movement and port operations once again.
Port workers now battle renewed evening congestion as truckers and tankers swarm the port access roads daily, preventing other road users from seamless transit.
Investigations by the Network of Nigerian Maritime Journalists (NNMI) reveal that while Apapa roads remain relatively free during the day, a long trail of trucks begins forming by evening from both the Costain and Mile 2 entry points.
From the Ijora-Olopa Bridge to Apapa and from Coconut Bus Stop to Tin Can Island’s gates, trucks line up in droves, allegedly paying between N30,000 and N50,000 to secure a spot in the queue.
Officials of key government agencies, investigations show, are complicit in the illegal toll collection as they allegedly look the other way as the situation worsens.
These agencies include the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigeria Police.
The most affected areas include Wharf Road, Warehouse Road, Commercial Road, Burma Road, and Creek Road.
Speaking on the development, Moses Fadipe, former National Coordinator of the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT), attributed the resurgence to the return of vested interests who previously profited from the chaos. The Lagos State Government, he noted, knows what steps to take to prevent a full-blown crisis.
Martins Enebeli, President of the Nigerian Institute of Shipping (NIS) and the Nigerian Licensed Ship Chandlers Association (NILSCA), blamed government insincerity for the relapse.
He urged authorities to prioritise rail transport for cargo evacuation from Lagos ports and to revive Eastern and Delta ports to ease pressure on Apapa.
“Bonded terminals should be relocated far from the ports and connected by rail. Government must stop concentrating port operations in the West while neglecting other regions,” Enebeli stated.
Speaking anonymously, a senior official confirmed that a syndicate involving both state and non-state actors is profiting from the tolls collected from truckers, exacerbating the traffic crisis.
Meanwhile, stakeholders have been unanimous in their call for urgent federal government intervention to dismantle the alleged racketeering network and restore sanity to Apapa’s transport corridors.
Maritime Agencies
CILT Honours Dr Okonna, MAN Oron Acting Rector, with Outstanding Leadership and Service Excellence Award
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Following his outstanding contributions to capacity development in maritime education and training in Nigeria’s premier maritime training centre, the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Training (CILT), Nigeria, Thursday, conferred special honours on the Acting Rector, Dr Kevin Okonna.
Tagged “Award for Distinguished Leadership in Logistics and Transport”, the conferment was the highlight of the 2025 National Conference and Awards Ceremony of the Institute which took place in Lagos.
Speaking at the event , CILT Nigeria President, Barr. (Mrs.) Mfon Usoro, highlighted the Institute’s strategic partnership with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN). She commended Dr. Okonna for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to repositioning the Maritime Academy of Nigeria as a centre of excellence in maritime education in Africa.
“Dr. Okonna has shown exceptional leadership and professionalism in ensuring the Academy continues to meet international standards. His passion and zeal for the development of the Academy is worthy of emulation,” Mrs. Usoro stated.
In his remarks following the conferment of the award, the elated Acting Rector expressed appreciation to CILT Nigeria for the honour. He described it as a call to continue striving for excellence in his service to the maritime industry and the nation in general
“This recognition is deeply appreciated. It is a call to a higher responsibility. This award reflects the collective effort of the Management, Staff, Students and Cadets of the Academy, whose dedication continues to drive our progress.”
”It means that what we do quietly is seen and valued. We’re ready to continue doing more for CILT, the industry and the country as a whole,” he promised.
Dr. Kevin Okonna, a seasoned maritime academic and administrator, has dedicated over thirty years to the service of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron. As a lecturer, he assiduously rose through the ranks to clinch the position of Acting Rector.
In ten months since he became the Acting Rector, MAN Oron has recorded significant milestones. His leadership has heralded extensive reforms in firming up on training standards, infrastructure renewal, upgrade of teaching facilities and restoration of public power supply to the Academy’s campus and environs. Other key areas include the pursuance of ISO Certification for the Academy, development of Conditions and Scheme of Service, development of Courses on Port State Control, enhancement of staff and cadet welfare and many others.
His tenure has also strengthened collaboration with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Nautical Institute, UK, Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), and other global maritime bodies.
The CILT recognition, industry watchers say, underscores the Acting Rector’s enduring legacy of excellence. It also reinforces the Academy’s stance as Nigeria’s foremost maritime education and training institution.
Distinguished officers of MAN Oron witnessed the CILT conferment on the Acting Rector. These included the Acting Director, School of Maritime Transport Studies, Mrs Theresa Eyo; Senior Lecturers – Mrs Nse Okon, Dr. Imoh Ekpo, Dr. Obot Idopise and Dr. Ufia Friday. Others were the Lagos Liaison Officer, Mrs Dorcas Titilola Imogore and Domo Umoekpe, the Academy’s Head of Public Affairs Department.
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