Maritime Agencies
ORASHI RIVER PORT: Eze Ohanweh Calls For Urgent Dredging and Commissioning To Decongest Lagos Ports.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
HRH Eze Dr Oliver Chinedu Ohanweh, the traditional ruler of Ihim/Isiama Autonomous community of Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State and Chairman, Olinco Transworld Group Ltd, has made a strong case on the need to urgently complete the dredging and operationalization of the Orashi River Port in Imo State.
Eze Ohanweh who spoke through Barr Emeka Iwueze, a Lagos-based lawyer, made the call in his remarks as a special guest and award winner at the 2023 Annual Conference and Awards event held in Lagos, Thursday, by the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON).
The notable maritime stakeholder who recalled that at the twilight of the Muhammadu Buhari presidency, then Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on May 11, 2023, flagged off the dredging of the Orashi channel aimed at connecting it directly to the Atlantic Ocean which is a mere 18 nautical miles away said here lies a practical solution to the problem of congestion Lagos ports are battling with.
The Obi Gburugburu and paramount ruler of Isiama Kingdom of Isiala-Mbano , Imo State, reminded Nigerians that the 18 nautical miles closeness of Urashi channel to the Atlantic Ocean makes it the nearest of such facility when compared with the Lagos Port of 50 nautical miles and Port Harcourt’s 60 which were dredged and have continued to enjoy maintenance dredging till date to facilitate seamless navigation.
On the imperatives of sighting a seaport in the south east, Eze Ohanweh said the greater number of importers in Nigeria today are Igbos of the Southeast. They haul 60 per cent of all the containers leaving Apapa and Tin-can seaports to the eastern part of Nigeria.
“There is need to facilitate the dredging and construction of the Urashi Seaport in Imo State commissioned in May 2022 by the former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.”
He gave kudos to Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State who saw the importance of dredging the seaport to alleviate the sufferings of importers from south east and, by extension, the generality of Nigerians businessmen.
“Urashi Seaport will seamlessly link the Oseakwa Seaport in Ihiala, Anambra State, which will no doubt benefit States such as Imo, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Edo and Kogi.”
“The sea port, if revived, would not only decongest Lagos. It will provide jobs, increase the revenue base of the federal government as well as have a multiplier effect on the agro and socioeconomic development of the old Eastern Region.
The royal father sounded it loud and clear that anyone or agency directly or indirectly sabotaging the realization of the port is an enemy of the people. He stated that being business people, importers would want to recoup numerous losses they incur and this eventually transfers to higher cost of goods on the already- impoverished Nigerian consumers.
Added to congestion at Lagos ports of Apapa and Tin-Can, Eze Ohanweh explained, movement of goods from Lagos to the Southeastern markets of Onitsha, Nnewi, Aba and Owerri come with much costs following extortion by dishonest law enforcement officers and other agencies, who line the route. These add heavy costs to the goods which the eventual consumers must pay.
On arms proliferation, he said with modern technology such as scanning machines, this could be detected. He also harped on the urgent need to reduce multiple checkpoints often mounted on the road by police and other security agencies. This causes haulage trucks to charge more to recover extortions as well as make up for man-made delays on transit.
For his consistent advocacy on the actualization of the Orashi-Oguta seaport project coupled with numerous strides in the maritime sector, the association bestowed on Eze Ohanweh the prestigious accolade of the 2023 AMJON Excellent Leadership Award.
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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Maritime Agencies3 weeks ago’MV DRAGON’: Freight Forwarders Group Hails Clarion Shipping, Stage A Roadshow
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoSeme Customs Hits Big: Intercepts 10,000 Bags of Expired Flour, Cannabis; Facilitates 53, 989.47MT Exports in A Month
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoTRADE FACILITATION: Seme Customs Hosts Joint Border Stakeholders’ Engagement To Deepen Cordial Relationships.
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Maritime Agencies5 days agoPTML Customs Hits Over N350Bn in 9 Months, Intercepts ₦200m Illicit Pharmaceuticals,
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