Maritime Agencies
DETENTION OF EXITED CONTAINERS: Freight Forwarders Set To Cripple Port Operations
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
As officers of the Marine Police have persisted in illegal arrest and detention of containers already examined and released out of the ports by the Nigeria Customs Service, freight forwarders threaten a showdown, warning that they might be forced to embark on a massive protest that could cripple activities at Nigeria’s major seaports in Lagos.
Emeka Obinali, Vice Chairman, Apapa Chapter of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) sounded the warning in Lagos while condemning officers of the Maritime Police who arrest and detain already-cleared and released containers and even detain the customs brokerage agents with a view to extorting money from them.
The freight forwarders group lamented that this anti-trade facilitation act from officers of the Marine Police is coming despite repeated protest letters NAGAFF sent to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (the ports Economic Regulator), the Inspector General of Police, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and many other regulatory agencies of the government.
“What these Maritime Police officers do is to connive with shipping companies and we have identified LANSAL in this type of connivance. Through the shipping companies, they get access to the manifest and the container numbers. In some cases, they ask the shipping line that the affected container is on security watch list and it should be blocked.
It is recalled that some freight forwarders recently embarked on a peaceful march in Apapa and the seaports environs to protest what they described as criminal extortion by officers of the Maritime Police who illegally arrest and detain containers already cleared from the port with a view to extorting huge sums of money from the owners of the containers.
The freight forwarders say that as a container is blocked, the clearing agent naturally comes under intense pressure to get it released to avoid demurrage. Through this means, the police officers extort money from the freight forwarders that runs in several millions of naira. Sometimes, they even detain the agent and ask him to bail himself with huge sums of money.
Obinali said: “You can agree with me that this does not make for the 48-hour clearance of cargo, neither does it promote trade facilitation, a situation whereby Customs in conjunction with relevant and statutory government agencies would inspect cargo at the ports and release them only for Maritime Police officers to detain same cargo for no justifiable reason.
“We are tired of these extortions in our own fatherland; we have petitioned relevant government agencies and this has persisted. The only option left to us is to embark of a mega strike action that would cripple activities of the seaports so that Maritime Police would allow us to do our legitimate businesses. I have started discussions with other chapter Executive members and we are ready to fight this battle to liberate our members from these shackles of the Maritime Police”, Obinali assured.
Meanwhile, Special Adviser to the National Coordinator of the NAGAFF 100% Compliance Team, Comrade Sunday Sylvester, who also bemoaned this ugly trend, regretted that it was not in the best interest of the Nigerian economy.
He regretted that the direct implication is that the additional cost that arises from Police extortion is naturally passed down to the final consumers of the goods by the importers, who cannot afford to absorb such unnecessary and avoidable additional cost because they must remain in business.
Comrade Sylvester said: “It has become necessary and urgent for relevant government agencies to step in this matter. There is no place in the world where Customs would examine and release a consignment from the seaports only for the Police to wait for the same consignment on the way to seize and detain it in order to extort money from the owner.
On the massive showdown freight forwarders are contemplating, he said that the seaport industry cannot afford the effect of such a strike or service withdrawal because it will hurt the economy and, to a high extent, Nigerians, especially the poor masses, who would bear the brunt of additional cost associated with Police extortion. “This is why the authorities should urgently put a stop to this.”
However, the freight forwarders are concluding plans to send one more protest letter to the Port Commissioner of Police as a last warning, which would be followed by the mega protest if the situation persists.
The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Hon. Emmanuel Jime recently said that the Maritime Police would be overstepping their bounds if they intercept or block cargoes already cleared and released out of the ports by the Nigeria Customs Service.
He spoke through the agency’s Director of Regulatory Services, Mrs. Ifeoma Ezedinma at a recent event in Apapa.
“It will not be nice for the agencies to protect their territories. What we need is synergy,” he stated.
“The problem we have right now is that Customs is on one side and Police on the other side, and both of them are checking cargoes, which causes impediments and this is not good for trade.
“If Customs clears cargo, Police do not have the right or authority to detain the cargo. If the Police have intelligence on any cargo, they can follow it to the final destination and check it there since Police have access to everywhere, but not for them to congest our seaports or the access roads. We see these problems on a daily basis. All the agencies have their responsibilities cut out for them, so we should always interface with one another in order to harmonise and facilitate trade. By blocking or detaining already cleared containers, Police are not facilitating trade”, Jime further warned.
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.”
Maritime Agencies
STARZS CEO Commissions School Projects, Champions Environmental Protection and Tree -Planting to Mark 40th Anniversary.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
As part of elaborate celebrations marking her 40tth anniversary, Starzs Investments Company Ltd (SICL), Wednesday, embarked on a campaign for environmental sanity and sustainability, beginning with planting of trees in some schools within her areas of operation.
SICL also collaborated with the Rivers State chapter of the Nigerian Environment Society to inaugurate school clubs whose mandate is to work towards protecting the environment through planting trees and promoting overall cleanliness even beyond the immediate environment of different schools.
Schools that received waste plastic bags, trees for planting and other relevant materials from the Company to give teeth to this campaign effort included Government Boys’ Secondary School, Elelenwo and Government Community Boys’ Secondary School, Elelenwo. Others were Community Boys’ Junior Secondary School, Elelenwo, Community Girls’ Secondary School, Elelenwo, and the Government Secondary School, Onne.
Infrastructural upgrade was the major focus at Government Secondary School, Onne and the Community Secondary School, Ogu in Ogu-Bolo Local Government where SICL inaugurated rehabilitated classrooms fitted with new chairs, tables, whiteboards, etc. The Company commissioned a giant solar-powered borehole at Ogu- Bolo alongside a befitting male and female school toilets for use by students.
The General Secretary of the Rivers State chapter of the NES Dr Olowu Emmanuel, delivered a talk on the importance of a good environment followed by an exhortation by the Principal, Dr Alfred Wosa.
The event recorded an impressive excitement from the students and teachers who saw it as a new beginning in a committed effort to uplift the environmental and infrastructural standard of the schools involved by the Starzs Investments Company Ltd.
Frank Loveday, a chieftain of the Rivers State chapter of the Nigerian Environmental Society also inaugurated the Students’ Environmental Club of the schools.
He said: “I hereby inaugurate the Environmental Club of these schools, Government Boys’ Secondary School, Elelenwo, Government Community Boys’ Secondary School, Elelenwo, Community Boys’ Secondary School (Junior), Elelenwo, and Community Girls’ Secondary School, Elelenwo”.
By way of motivation, cash prizes were given to some students among which were DaGogo Destiny and Christopher Godwin. Others were Umor Samuel and Philip John.
Frank Loveday charged the students to see themselves as leaders of tomorrow who must show exceptional interest in protecting the environment.
”If I say ‘NES’, your response is: Act, Think, Sustainable Environment!'” he tasked them and the response was spontaneous.
He thanked the STARZS Group, an indigenous company fully and sincerely impacting the nation’s waters, for moving upland, to protect even the land, explaining that if the land environment is not protected and sustained, there could be dire consequences.
He described the Nigerian Environmental Society as a non-profit-making organization, comprising pure-minded professionals who, over the years, have taken time to develop themselves on environmental issues.
”As you know, the environment is our mainstay; it is our home. Everything we’re going to be doing, and we have been doing, and we’ll be doing, is actually packaged on this bed as the envelope that is housing us. And it is our core responsibility not only to be a watchdog, but to be participatory professionals by way of contributing our part and our quota in activities and actions that will help, not only to sustain, but also to manage the environment.
”It is on the premise of that, that we are here today to do this programme. And we are doing it in conjunction with the STARZS Investment Company and Marine. This is an indigenous group that has, since 1986 or thereabouts, been on marine activities.
”They have shown distinction, and I must emphasize distinction, in the way their activities have been carried.” Others should emulate the company, he counselled.
Speaking on the need to maintain a safe environment, Mr Adeyi Adeniyi, Starzs Deputy Managing Director, assured that the Company would continue to support and promote environmental protection and sustainability.
Recalling the old image of Port Harcourt as a garden city, he explained that aside protecting man from the harshness of the sun, houses against the winds, trees also provide oxygen while filtering away carbon dioxide.
”There is something we do, as an organization. Basically, we go for trees that are medicinal, or of medicinal value; and of trees that are of economic value.
”However, please note too, that the essence of our strategy is to ensure that while we are providing the economic value, we are also providing oxygen, we are protecting the environment, and we are also beautifying the environment.
Maritime Agencies
Starzs’ 40th Anniversary : Group’s CSR Will Rewrite Our Story, Benefitting Communities Say.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
As Starzs Investments Company Ltd revels in her 40th anniversary celebration, her
host communities in Rivers State remain upbeat, pouring encomium on the establishment and her enduring corporate social responsibility. They express commitment to nurture the Company’s goodwill which stands to positively rewrite the story of their people.
These communities include Eleme, Onne, Rumuadolor, maritime training institutions,etc.
Mr. Bright Ngolo, the Onne CDC Secretary who represented the CDC Chairman and Andrew Jiala the Crown Prince of Onne community representing the Royal Palace and the community, applauded SICL’s good intentions, stressing that it would surely put smiles on the faces of both the direct beneficiaries and the entire Community.
”If there is anything that makes me happy, it’s to see the smiles on the faces of my people. When you see their smiles, you also, as a community, will be happy. So, anything that makes them happy also makes me happy.
”I want to say Onne is one of your host communities and a very peaceful host community. I believe that you enjoy a very cordial relationship with Onne as one of your hosts. And I assure you that what you are doing today, we are very excited about it.”
”I don’t know the numbers of persons that will be empowered today. But I want to assure you that your relationship with Onne will still continue to cordial.
”We are very grateful for honoring our youths by giving them skills. Because if there is anything any youth needs, it’s the skills. You can’t go in life without a special skill.
”So, we are very honored. Thank you and God bless you.”
In the same vein, Elvis Aguma, the Youths President of the Rumuadolu Community thanked the STARZS management for their past and present community programme.
”We are pleased and honored for this program that you organized today. It is a state-of-the-art program. And over the years, that you have had investments in Rumuadolu, it has been a very good cordial relationship between us. And with this that you are currently doing, we are also going to reciprocate further.
For the Ogu Community, the STARZS Group has actually been a huge economic blessing. Chief Fidelis Opouye who put this in words while speaking for Chief Taripaka Gbobbo Amos consequently commended the company.
”We have come to see that this establishment started with good footing. You have been very cordial, very fair to all the youths who have been here. Sometimes ago, not in this hall, somewhere else, they were invited. I was also there. And I made a speech last year.
”So, we, as a community, when we see progress, when we see people reaching out to meet our needs, we encourage them. We build the platform for them to operate. And we don’t want to stop their operations”, he said, stressing that skills acquisition will change their lives permanently.
”We will continue to be careful and cordial. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you!” he stressed!
Aside from the community leaders and the management staff of the STARZS Group, Nnamdi Amadi, the Charkins Registrar and Thlawur Dunya – Coordinator Academic Affairs representing the Rector, were also present.
Speaking in the same vein, Elvis Aguma, the Youths President of the Rumuadolu Community thanked the STARZS management for their past and present community programme.
”We are pleased and honored for this program that you organized today. It is a state-of-the-art program. And over the years, that you have had investments in Rumuadolu, it has been a very good cordial relationship between us. And with this that you are currently doing, we are also going to reciprocate further.
For the Ogu Community, the STARZS Group has actually been a huge economic blessing. Chief Fidelis Opouye who put this in words while speaking for Chief Taripaka Gbobbo Amos consequently commended the company.
”We have come to see that this establishment started with good footing. You have been very cordial, very fair to all the youths who have been here. Sometimes ago, not in this hall, somewhere else, they were invited. I was also there. And I made a speech last year.
”So, we, as a community, when we see progress, when we see people reaching out to meet our needs, we encourage them. We build the platform for them to operate. And we don’t want to stop their operations”, he said, stressing that skills acquisition will change their lives permanently.
”We will continue to be careful and cordial. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you!” he stressed!
Aside from the community leaders and the management staff of the STARZS Group, Nnamdi Amadi, the Charkins Registrar and Thlawur Dunya – Cordinator Academic Affairs representing the Rector, were also present.
In the meantime, the Managing Director of the Diopter Technology, a key partner in the training scheme, Emmanuel Ugwumba has emphasized that the present course of action will bring light to the families of the beneficiaries.
Recalling the experience from his village, he also highlighted that anybody with a good training record will want to recreate such value to other individuals .
”When STARS came up with this, I just understood the culture of the company. The culture, reflects a lot from their core values. They also have respect for good results”, he said, tasking the beneficiaries to genuinely appreciate the wonderful opportunities the Company was offering them.
Host Communities Pour Encomiums As STARZS Dole Out Scholarship To 40 Youths
Eleme, Rumuadolor, others acknowledge the Special Skills Acquisition programme would positively change their lives.
In his intervention, Head of Human Resources of the Starzs Group,Tari Agiobu says Monday’s celebration of special Corporate Social Responsibility is a reflection of SICL’s enduring partnership with host communities and other stakeholders including maritime institutions.
”We’re going to be equipping members of our host communities with skills that we believe will empower them and subsequently empower their communities down the line”, Tari Agiobu pledged.
Starzs Group Emphasizes Sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility, Urges Government to Strengthen Education Infrastructure.
STARZS CEO Commissions School Projects, Champions Environmental Protection and Tree -Planting to Mark 40th Anniversary.
Starzs’ 40th Anniversary : Group’s CSR Will Rewrite Our Story, Benefitting Communities Say.
Starzs’ 40th Anniversary: Company Doles out Scholarships to 40 Youths from Host Communities, Maritime Institutions.
STARZS 40TH ANNIVERSARY: ‘We are Faith-based, And Doing Well’- CEO Iroghama …Thanks Founder For Laying Solid Foundation
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