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Maritime Agencies

MARPOL @ 50: Ex Gulf of Guinea Scribe Questions Nigeria’s Claim To Be A Maritime Nation.

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Ambassador Ukonga(centre) and other dignitaries at the event

 

 

 

 

 

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As long as Nigeria and many other African nations do not have ships to enable them participate in global shipping and maritime transportation in the true sense of it, they cannot lay claim to being addressed as maritime nations.

 

Former Executive Secretary, Gulf of Guinea (GoG) Commission, Ambassador Florentina Adenike Ukonga stated this in Lagos, Tuesday, while speaking at the 2023 Lagos International Maritime Week (LIMWEEK 2023) hosted by Zoe Maritime Resources Ltd.

 

She particularly regretted that Nigeria cannot be called a maritime country when foreign vessels in this time and age still dominate her territorial waters while the few indigenously-owned are being denied what it takes to breathe and remain in business. The theme of the conference was MARPOL at 50: Pollution from Ships, Africa’s Commitment to Clean Oceans, Seas, Inland Waters and the Maritime Environment.

 

Falcon Watch Online recalls that 2023 marks the 50th year since the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Convention was enacted. The aim was to prevent pollution of the marine environment by ships whether it arises from how the ship is operated or from accidents involving ships and other ocean-going crafts.

Even though Nigeria and other African nations have domesticated the MARPOL as major component of their municipal laws, it is debatable if adequate enforcement policies exist to give real meaning and effect to the global instrument to counter pollution on the waters. As long as it remains so, Ukonga contended, Nigeria and other African nations that ratified the MARPOL Convention cannot be called maritime countries in the real sense.

 

“Maritime transportation in Nigeria and in the West and Central Africa is grossly underdeveloped. Majority of the ships providing maritime transportation services in West and Central African region are from Europe, Asia and the Far East.”

Mrs Ukonga said it should be a huge worry to maritime industry watchers that maritime transportation with so much potential for economic emancipation and development in Africa is virtually being run by non-Africans. Goods cannot be shipped along the coast of West and Central Africa without first of all passing through Europe or Asia, depending on which of these foreign nations own the vessel used for the trans-shipment.

 

“If maritime transportation is well developed, even if it is within the region,there should be ships plying these routes, stopping in almost all the ports in the region with shorter periods of transportation not exceeding two to five sailing days enroute.

 

The former envoy, however, acknowledged that being a signatory to the Convention is a first step in the right direction as this ensures that African environment is no longer perceived as a dumping ground for maritime toxic waste, garbage and other hazardous excretions from factories abroad. She encouraged African entrepreneurs to invest in maritime transportation either to transport goods or people especially in inter-state maritime haulage.

 

“African countries should be involved in regional maritime transportation sector even if we do not yet want to go to Europe, US, Asia or Far East”.

 

In his contribution, Ambassador Michel Deelen,the Consul-General of Netherlands in Nigeria, referred to the huge potentials embedded in the blue economy and stressed the need to shield these from the destructive effects of pollution from ships and other ocean-going crafts. Nigeria, he suggested, must be serious to put in place structures to discourage ocean pollution not just from ships but other causative factors such as households, factories and random dropping by individuals who see water bodies as dumping ground. Existing laws and sanctions, he recommended, need to be fiercely imposed on ships polluting the Nigerian maritime space as well as manufacturing companies who indiscriminately dump waste in the ocean.

 

“There is the subject of marine environment pollution. We see all these when we go to the beautiful beaches in Lagos. Recently, we had the World Beach Clean-up Day. But as you can clean up the beach, the next day, everything washes ashore again.”

 

“So, we need to find structural solutions to this; structural solutions for manufacturing companies, plastic wastes and for the way big international cargo vessels are proposed because the fuel they use in these vessels are not the best quality. Environmentally, a lot of progress still needs to be made in this regard,” the Dutch envoy stressed.

 

In his goodwill message, His Royal Majesty, the Oniru of Iru Land, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun 11, represented by Chief Olumide Oniru, recommended what he called environmentally-friendly and responsible policies to manage the maritime environment which, according to him, his domain has been part of from time immemorial. He recalled that the ocean and Lagos lagoon completely surround his kingdom and that marine and port businesses still impact on the lives of his people.

The monarch assured that despite the hazards of environmental pollution, Iru people will continue to cooperate with the authorities in whatever steps taken to ensure the waters remain clean.

 

Earlier, Barr Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore, Chair, Zoe Maritime Resources Ltd, the conveners of the event, said Africa’s economic growth and wellbeing is directly related to the ocean economy. She stated that to prevent the pollution of the marine environment by ships, security and other cardinal factors must be addressed.

While hailing the recent creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry in Nigeria, she looked forward to fruitful engagement with stakeholders such as her organization as government strives to combat the problem of water pollution.

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Maritime Agencies

Dantsoho, NPA Boss, Inaugurates MWUN Headquarters Annexe, Pledges Port Infrastructure Upgrade.

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Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, PG, MWUN (left) presenting a souvenir to Dr Dantsoho, NPA MD.

 

 

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

 

As the Federal Government strives to modernize and expand outdated facilities at the Tincan and Apapa ports which were built in 1977 and 1958 respectively, plans are underway to make similar infrastructure available to other seaports across the country. This is the commitment of President Tinubu and the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, HE Adegboyega Oyetola.

Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho disclosed this in Lagos, Wednesday, while commissioning the recently-built headquarters annexe of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN). The need for modern port infrastructure, he noted, is to enable Nigeria maintain and drive efficiency and increase in cargo throughput in her port system.

From records, he observed, the country’s ports receive only 2 million containers annually, a far cry from what is obtainable in neighboring countries such as Ghana and Cotonou whose population cannot be compared with Nigeria.

“Nigeria is a country of more than 200 million people in population. Now, our port capacity today, from our own records, is that we’re only bringing 2 million containers to Nigeria. It’s not a true reflection of our population.

“So, we have to do what we can to ensure that we get more containers in a genuine way into Nigeria. We can’t say that they are getting more containers in Lome, Cotonou and Ghana but Nigeria is getting less. It doesn’t make sense at all.”

He implored all stakeholders including the MWUN to work harder to ensure that more containers are generated especially through exports as that is the only way to be more productive. It will ensure more youth employment and global recognition for Nigeria. This remains a major challenge.

He assured that the government is committed to improving these ports and building new ones.
“It’s not possible for us to grow and participate more in international trade by depending on very old ports. So, we need new infrastructures,” he stated.

“We need new ports. We are going to expand the Tin Can and Apapa the way it is. It’s going to be improved. “That is the commitment of Mr. President and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy. In the not-so-distant future, you will see new events towards improving infrastructure in Apapa and Tincan. “Nigeria cannot be behind Cotonou or Ghana and other countries. It’s a very important challenge for us, but it should not be a challenge that only the federal government will face. It’s something that we are all stakeholders must give our best to ensure that Nigeria takes her proper position globally. ”
He called on maritime workers and other stakeholders to deepen their operations and processes through improved technology as this is the only way to position Nigeria to compete with other countries in the region and beyond.

Commending the MWUN leadership for the rapid transformation, Dantsoho pledged that the NPA is ever willing to offer support.

“I want to appreciate the leadership of my brother (MWUN PG). We look forward to cooperating with you because our objective, again, is to ensure that our own staff and officers, their welfare is number one, which will make them more productive. We are not going to play with that because we have had experience that when you motivate workers, you make them happy; you give them what it requires to be productive, they will be productive.” However, he called for more revenue so as to meet the demands of workers.

In his welcome remarks, MWUN President-General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, thanked Dr Dantsoho for making time to honour the Union with his presence, the first of its kind by any Managing Director of the NPA. No doubt,Comrade Adeyanju stated, the guesture demonstrates a workers-friendly disposition.

Describing the MWUN as an organised and reformed professional labour union, Adeyanju said: “We are no longer regarded as touts. We have been transformed to a standard. That era of thuggery, era of banging table, era of shutting down the port operation have been stopped under my command, ” he told the NPA MD.

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Maritime Agencies

Matawalle Commends President Tinubu For Prompt Payment Of Pensions And Other Military Entitlements.

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Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle

 

 

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

 

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been commended for the decisive action to ensure prompt payment of military salary increase with three months arrears. He has also received accolades for the release of funds for the payment of pension and other entitlements owed retired military personnel.

Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, Minister of State, Defence, made the commendation while confirming that alerts regarding the three-month salary increase for military personnel have begun to be received.

The Minister commended President Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of both serving and retired military personnel, emphasizing that the payment of pension arrears owed retirees will continue to receive critical attention. This initiative reflects the President’s dedication to enhance the living standards of those who have served the nation, he disclosed.

As stated in a statement released Thursday by Henshaw Ogubuike, the image maker of the Defence Ministry, the Minister acknowledged the efforts and support of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, who has been very committed in the actualization of these payments.

Dr. Matawalle urged the Nigerian military to remain steadfast in their duties, reassuring them that President Tinubu is fully committed to boosting their morale and providing the necessary support to combat insecurity in Nigeria.

“Despite initial setbacks, be rest assured that Mr. President will do everything within his power to uplift our military forces as they confront the challenges of insecurity,” he affirmed.

Highlighting the significant contributions of the Nigerian military in combating insurgency, terrorism, and other forms of criminality, the Minister reiterated the vital role these brave men and women play in ensuring the nation’s security.

He assured the officers and personnel of the Nigerian Armed forces of President Tinubu’s unwavering resolve to eradicate insecurity in Nigeria, bolstered by the readiness and resilience of the military.

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Maritime Agencies

NIWA Implores States To Collaborate To Achieve Safer Inland Waterways

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By

Hon Bola Oyebamiji, NIWA MD.

 

 

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

 

A passionate call has gone out to state governments on the need for increased collaboration with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to enhance security and safety on inland waterways transportation.

NIWA Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji made the call while speaking at a one-day consultative forum on safety and insecurities on inland waterways organized in Ilorin, Kwara State, by the Nigeria Transportation Commissioners’ Forum.

Speaking on the theme “Prevalent Safety, Security Hazards and Practices in Inland Waterways: Passenger Transport Safety in Ilorin, Kwara State”, Mr Oyebamiji drew attention to the pressing issues facing the inland waterways sector.
He emphasized the critical role of safety and security in fostering a thriving water transportation system.

The forum is apt, coming on the heels of the recent merchant boat tragedy incident in Ene community, Kupa South LG of Kogi State, Friday, November 29, which claimed many lives shortly after NIWA conducted a far-reaching public sensitization about safety on inland waterways.

Mr. Oyebamiji acknowledged the ongoing efforts of his agency to improve safety such as the recent unveiling of the transportation code for public use, the inauguration of several operational assets including survey boats, gunboats, water ambulances, and a passenger ferry.

Safety campaigns, he told the forum, have been launched across all operational bases, targeting local communities in their native languages.

The NIWA CEO highlighted the support from the National Assembly, including the ongoing discussions on establishing coastal guards and the attention safety and security on inland waterways have received from the House of Representatives Committee on Inland Waterways.

Oyebamiji appealed to the Honourable Commissioners for Transportation across the littoral States in Nigeria to collaborate with his agency in areas such as training, safety campaigns, infrastructure development and financial empowerment. While the challenges are enormous and significant, he noted, they are surmountable through collective action.

The NIWA CEO expressed optimism for actionable and implementable outcomes from the forum, which he believes will contribute significantly to ensure safer and more secure inland waterways.

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