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
Contrary to the impression being bandied in certain quarters regarding the safety of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Funds (CVFF), the acruals remain intact and secure in the vaults of the Central Bank of Nigeria and her Single Treasury Account (TSA) arrangement.
Dr Dayo Mobereola, the Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) gave the update, November 19 in a release by the agency.
According to the Director-General, the update has become necessary to refute misleading publications alleging that the funds have disappeared from the CVFF account.
“The report of missing money is both misleading and false”, the agency’s Assistant Director of Public Relations, Edward Osagie explained in a press statement.
“For the record, the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, securely held in the NIMASA account at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), remains intact. There has been no disappearance of funds, and no illegal transactions, as the article suggests.
“This misinformation is a figment of the author’s imagination aimed at undermining NIMASA’s integrity, and mislead the public about the Agency’s operations.
“The Management of NIMASA will ensure that the CVFF is utilised in line with its statutory purpose”, the
NIMASA Director General stated.
Mobereola was emphatic about the state of the funds and assured stakeholders of the safety under the CVFF.
“Let us be clear that the CVFF account at the Central Bank of Nigeria is safe, intact, and secure. We at NIMASA will continue to manage it with the utmost responsibility, and there are no irregularities or illegal activities surrounding the funds”
He urged the public to disregard any false narratives and to continue trusting the Agency’s ability to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The CVFF is a fund established under section 42 of the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003 to promote the development of indigenous ship acquisition capacity and to provide credit facilities to local maritime operators.
NIMASA, the release assured, is committed to transparency, accountability, and the advancement of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
In a colourful and well-attended event, Tuesday, the Ogun 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service celebrated the retiring Customs Area Controller, Comptroller James Ojo. His successor, DC MS Shuaibu also received encomiums for being found worthy to take over the mantle of leadership.
Following official redeployments and movements across Customs Commands earlier in the year, it is recalled, DC Shuaibu temporarily held sway at the Ogun 1 Area Command, Idiroko. Last April, however, he handed over the reigns to Comptroller James Ojo who was newly deployed to head the Command and left to assume duties as the Coordinator of the now-disbanded Joint Border Patrol Team Sector 2, Southwest.
But now the table has turned, retiring Comptroller Ojo handed over the leadership baton to DC Shuaibu at the Ogun 1 Command, Idiroko.
Speaking at the brief but impressive handing-over ceremony, Comptroller Ojo expressed gratitude to officers and men of the Command for the massive support and cooperation he enjoyed during his stint at the Command.
“Under my watch,” Comptroller Ojo stated, “this Command has not only enforced our mandate of revenue generation, border security and trade facilitation but has also made strides in building stronger collaborations with sister agencies and stakeholders. Together, we have intercepted illicit goods, curbed smuggling and facilitated legitimate trade. Our collective efforts have positioned the Ogun 1 Command as a key player in Nigeria’s economic and security architecture. As I retire, I must express my profound gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs for the trust reposed in me and for providing the support that enabled the Command’s successes.”
In his remarks, DC MS Shuaibu, the newly deployed controller, applauded Comptroller James Ojo for leaving a legacy of resilience, collaboration and notable achievements.
He pledged to deepen the commitment to prioritizing teamwork, innovation, and discipline among officers and men of the Command.
“I call upon all officers and stakeholders in the Command to join me in this renewed effort as the task ahead is daunting. But with unity, dedication and the grace of God, we can surmount every challenge.’’
He promised to strengthen and maintain collaboration with sister- agencies so as to ensure border security and facilitate legitimate trade.
The handing-over ceremony was attended by a cross section of notable traditional rulers from Idiroko area and beyond. Senior officers from sister-agencies in Nigeria and neighbouring Benin also graced the occasion.
Maritime Agencies
FIGHT AGAINST BANDITS, INSURGENTS: ‘We’re Recording Huge Success’, Says Matawalle.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Since the advent of the President Tinubu administration, the Nigerian Armed Forces have achieved a lot in the fight against insurgents, bandits and other groups that are enemies of the Nigerian State.
But for security and strategic reasons, a lot of these successes cannot be made public in order not to expose to danger the gallant men and women of the Armed Forces in the forefront of this fight.
Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Matawalle disclosed this during an engagement with Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Assistant to the President on Policy and Coordination/Head of Central Result Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU).
Hadiza Bala Usman was at the Ministry of Defence to present the 2024 1st-3rd Quarters Performance Assessment Report on Implementation of Presidential Priorities and Ministerial Deliverables at the Ship House, Abuja.
The Minister also informed the SA to Mr. President that before now, the Nigerian airwaves were always full of news of oil theft, bunkering, piracy and all forms of kidnapping. But since they assumed office, the country has recorded low occurrence and reduced reports of those activities just as he assured Nigerians of their resolve to do more to make the society safe for all.
Matawalle assured Hadiza Bala Usman of early submission of achievement data to her office for their reviews.
In a similar development, the SA to President advised the Ministry of Defence to put out more data into the public space to avoid doubts and negative feedbacks on the successes achieved by the Armed Forces in the fight against insecurity. She added that regional tour of the troubled areas could be conducted to carry out on-the-spot interviews and first hand assessment of rescued individuals whose response will serve as raw and real data to the populace and an evidence that government is not resting on its oars.
Speaking further during the review of the Q1 – Q3 Report, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana mni gave a detailed submission on the achievements of the Ministry and promised that the Ministry would do more to surpass previous quarter reports. He commended the Chief of Defence Staff and all Service Chiefs for their consistency and tireless efforts in making Nigeria a peaceful and safe place.
Dr. Kana tasked the Directors of the Ministry not to relax in their quest to give their best to the service of the country.
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