Maritime Agencies
NIWA Poised To Overcome Waterways Insecurity, Enlists Media Assistance.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
In what a keen observer has described as unprecedented in the annals of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the new Managing Director, Alhaji Bola Oyebamiji visited Lagos, Friday, with the full complement of his senior management staff to fete the maritime press and bring to public knowledge the agency’s activities and projections under his leadership.
Engr Sarat Lara Braimah, GM, Lagos Area Office, NIWA.
This move, according to him, underscores the level of regard the agency has for the press and the need to carry them along as he strives to discharge his responsibilities.
The interaction which took place at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, brought to the fore the trending issue of inland waterway safety and security, among others. Realizing the need to address it as exhaustively as possible following the widespread public concern, the NIWA boss emphasized the agency’s stiff resolve to address and overcome it in line with her statutory mandate. This is necessary to earn the confidence of people who sail on about 3,000 kilometres navigable stretch of Nigeria’s inland waterways.
A cross-section of NIWA Senior Management team.
On specific achievements so far, the Managing Director said: “Within one year, NIWA, through the supervisory effort of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under the leadership of His Excellency Gboyega Oyetola, CON, has a new Water Transportation Code, 2023.
“Within the same period, the agency has deployed several operational assets including 15 boats of varying capacities and uses to promote efficiency and service delivery”.
“Similarly, we have provided greater incentives to our workers through the official commissioning of several projects to promote a better working environment. Not only this, we have continued to treat the welfare of our workers as a priority.”
He regretted that notwithstanding, the twin cankerworm of safety and insecurity on the inland waterways as exemplified in occasional cases of boat mishaps appear to take the shine off the laudable steps being taken to enthrone better performance.
“To confront this headlong, we have reconsidered our safety campaign approach to focus more on the grassroots using community resources.”
On this score, he explained, NIWA has carried out more grassroots campaign in one year than any other time.
“Also, we have deployed water marshals across different loading and offloading points in the country. It may interest you to know that within three months of its launch, we have increased the number of our water marshals from 80 to 350 personnel. Recently, these officers were directed to commence 24-hour surveillance within selected locations to arrest the ugly incidents of night travel and overloading.”
He recalled an inclusive and critical stakeholders meeting in Abuja specifically convened recently to evaluate the current challenges on the inland waterways transportation and the best approach to tackle them.
The meeting attended by transportation commissioners from more than 24 states, among other groups, highlighted several measures that must be taken to arrest the twin issues of safety and insecurity on the inland waterways.
On the critical role of the media as the purveyor of information dissemination and public enlightenment, the Managing Director implored them to rise to the occasion and let the world know how far the agency is striving to promote her core responsibility of ensuring safer and more secure inland waterways. The key, he appealed to the media, is aggressive advocacy. He identified human error as the most potent cause of boat accidents and harped on the need to build better capacity while strictly applying the letters of the new Water Transportation Code to achieve results.
“A further evaluation reveals that poor attitude and blatant disregard of safety protocol account for the greatest causes of boat mishaps. We, therefore, call on you to join us in educating our people on the need to be safety conscious always.”
On the relevance of technology in managing the waterways, he compared Nigeria’s system with what obtains in other areas in the world.
“A recent visit to Spain revealed that a lot of activities within their waters are monitored with the aid of technology. We are in the process of having a cooperative agreement with the Spanish Ministry of Marine, Blue and Black Economy on how to deploy these in monitoring our waterways too.”
To improve the quality of service and reduce cases of boat accidents to the barest minimum, he said NIWA would intensify continuous training of boat drivers to bring them to speed with professional requirements in terms of conduct as they discharge their duties.
During his intervention on the issue of channel charting, the agency’s Head of Surveys, Engr Henry Adimoha, affirmed that NIWA has the capacity and expertise for hydrological charting and survey of the waterways because navigational aids are available to enhance operations.
Aside human error, he explained, most mishaps occur during heavy rains and high tides which overrun areas ordinarily made up of natural
vegetation, thereby forcing boat drivers to lose track, miss navigable channels and run into stumps and even trees that have become submerged in flood.
On the ongoing campaign against water hyacinth, Hon Olabamiji regretted that harvesters procured by the agency in the past to fight the stubborn weed have become obsolete. The option of outsourcing the collection and disposal to competent and qualified contractors with track record of performance is being seriously considered because it is cheaper.
Maritime Agencies
PORTBIZNESS Celebrates Excellence in Customer Service Delivery, Holds Special Awards Night
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Popular media outfit, Portbuziness, is set to thrill the maritime and business community on Lagos come June, 2025, in an award event tagged the Distinguished Customer Service Appreciation Night.
The event is to showcase and appreciate exceptional corporate organizations and individuals who have made a mark in various fields of business endeavour.
The Award will feature a series of thought-provoking discussions and receptions to celebrate corporate organisations and individuals that are placing measurable value on people, societies and the nation in general.
In a release by James Shodiya, the Convener and MD/CEO, Portbizness, the DCS Awards & Recognitions is one unique event that will bring together brands and persons from different walks of life under one platform to examine the importance of offering quality service delivery to customers and clients under the theme: Standard & Satisfactory Service Delivery in a Challenged Economy.
The Portbizness boss stressed that the DCS Awards & Recognition is considered the Gold Standard for Corporate organisations and individuals who have gone above and beyond in offering exceptional service delivery in different areas of business.
The event, Shodiya added, will be attended by the most innovative and high-impact Corporate Organisations and nominees will be evaluated through strict observations and recommendations by authorities in various business sectors.
The event which takes place at the popular Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, will feature top brands in Telecoms, Maritime, Pharmaceuticals and Food & Beverages. Others are Transportation & Logistics, Real Estate, Hospitality, etc.
Captains of industry, Chief Executives of Companies , Government Agencies and customer service experts are expected to grace the occasion.
Gold Sponsors for the event include Trucks Transit Parks Ltd and Global Transport Policy.
Maritime Agencies
Kebbi Customs Command Introduces Health Screening, Mandatory Sports To Ensure Work-life Balance
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
In a renewed effort to promote healthy living and wellness of men and officers, a factor that contributes to operational fitness, increased productivity and morale in the workplace, the Kebbi State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recently took giant steps to re-introduce routine medical check-ups and mandatory weekly fitness exercises.
The first phase of the physical wellness initiative being promoted by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Chidi Chukwumeziri Nwokorie, aims to promote a work-life balance within the Service.
The programme which the CAC flagged off Thursday at the Command’s premises in Birnin Kebbi saw officers and men of the Command participating in a series of health screening and sporting activities. These included football, basketball, and table tennis all aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle among Customs officers in order to make them fit to carry out their responsibilities.
Speaking at the event, Comptroller Nwokorie reiterated the importance of regular health check-up to determine the physical fitness of men and officers. This is required for them to maintain the alertness and effectiveness
required for Customs duties. He noted that the exercise is not meant to be seen as a burden or an obligation imposed on officers. It is rather a proactive measure put in place to ensure optimal health status which impacts productivity and effectiveness.
Going forward, the Controller stated, medical examinations would be conducted fortnightly, while physical exercise sessions would be held every week without fail. The objective is to strengthen the resilience, agility, and general health of personnel tasked with enforcing Nigeria’s trade laws and combating illicit smuggling activities across the nation’s borders.
The activities concluded with officers engaging in various forms of sports and recreational games, reinforcing camaraderie and team spirit within the Command. This is essential for building a cohesive team that can work together effectively to achieve its goals.
The Kebbi Command’s renewed focus on health and physical fitness comes at a time when security agencies are under pressure to meet growing national border security expectations and anti-smuggling enforcement. By prioritizing the health and well-being of its officers, the Command is demonstrating its commitment to their success.
The Kebbi Customs Command’s initiative, observers say, serves as a model for other security agencies. By prioritizing the health and well-being of officers, agencies can improve their performance and overall effectiveness.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
For posting an impressive revenue performance, the Ogun II Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has been specifically commended with a firm pledge to address operational challenges she is grappling with.
Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, made this known, Wednesday, during a working tour of the Command Headquarters in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
In his welcome address, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Bisi Alade described the CGC’s visit as a morale booster for the command’s officers and men.
“Your presence here today Sir,” he remarked, “is not only encouraging but also a strong indication of your commitment to every arm of the Service.”
“It has uplifted the spirit of our officers and reinforced our resolve to deliver on the Service’s mandate with renewed vigour.”
Comptroller Alade disclosed that between January and April, 2025, the Ogun II Command generated a total revenue of ₦15.191 billion, representing a 40 per cent increase compared to the ₦9.165 billion recorded during the corresponding period in 2024.
The Ogun II Command, he stated, oversees three Free Trade Zones, 67 excise factories, and one bonded terminal, making it a strategic revenue-generating and industrial oversight zone within the Nigeria Customs Service architecture.
“We shall continue to remain focused, disciplined, and professional in the discharge of our duties, while aligning with the CGC’s reform agenda,” he reaffirmed
The CAC drew attention to several challenges facing the Command, including inadequate operational vehicles, medical laboratory equipment at the Command’s clinic and the need to renovate two 30-man rank-and-file quarters. Others are improved borehole facilities and the installation of a solar power system for the office complex.
In response, CGC Adeniyi commended the Command’s performance and assured that the Service Headquarters would consider the issues raised. He urged officers to prioritise continuous professional development, stressing that competence, knowledge and dedication are essential to enable them to effectively discharge the Service’s responsibilities.
The CGC also praised Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State, for leveraging the state’s strategic location as Nigeria’s industrial gateway, particularly in light of its shared border with the Republic of Benin.
“Ogun State is a strategic location in Nigeria, and the Governor is clearly repositioning the state for industrial growth,” Adeniyi remarked.
CGC Adeniyi assured the government and people of Ogun State that the Nigeria Customs Service remains a committed partner in driving the nation’s economic prosperity. He further encouraged Comptroller Alade to deepen collaboration with other security agencies and the state government to achieve
shared goals.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoContainer Movement To Seaports: NPA Meets With APM Terminals, Shipping Lines, for Coordination.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoCG Adeniyi Commends Ogun II Command for Massive Revenue Increase.
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoPORTBIZNESS Celebrates Excellence in Customer Service Delivery, Holds Special Awards Night
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoKebbi Customs Command Introduces Health Screening, Mandatory Sports To Ensure Work-life Balance