Maritime Agencies
SCAN’s 2024 Dockworkers Day: Oyetola Commits To Ports Infrastructure Renewal. …….. Adeyanju Condemns Delayed Ports Concession Agreements Renewal
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
In collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has mapped out programmes to renew ports infrastructure nationwide as a direct response to lingering concerns about decaying infrastructure. This is to improve port efficiency and ensure that Nigeria participates competitively in the global maritime trade.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, H.E. Gboyega Oyetola disclosed this in Lagos,Thursday, when the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN), in collaboration with the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), marked the 2024 Dockworkers’ Day with the theme ‘DOCKWORKERS: Key To Unlocking Nigeria’s Blue Economy’.
Speaking through Olujimi Oyetomi, the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, the Minister said that in line with the presidential mandate, the Ministry would continue to foster a favorable environment to encourage private sector participation in exploiting the potentials of the blue economy.
“This is necessary to attain the goals, enhance opportunities, and harness the immense benefits in the sector,” he explained.
Adding his voice to ongoing concerns about the delay in renewing ports concession agreements, the MWUN President-General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju condemned the current stand of the federal government on this matter, regretting that the ports concession agreements renewal is long overdue.
He appealed to the Federal Government to expedite action on the renewal as this has a lot to do with seamless operations at the seaports.
“We want to see the renewal of the licenses of terminal operators. There are a lot of dividends that we are getting from responsible terminal operators. Why are you delaying the signing of their agreements? The workers are now warming up because they are worried about what is happening to their employers,” Adeyanju pointed out.
He also called for enhanced capacity building for dockworkers, urging terminal operators to invest in training maritime workers and engage qualified personnel to lead these efforts.
Adeyanju further lamented that despite huge funds invested to upgrade equipments at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, international recognition of certificates from the school is lacking.
In her intervention, Princess Vicky Haastrup, Chairperson, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) stressed the need for training and retraining, charging the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to use the 0.5% stevedoring levy which terminal operators remit in dollars to train dockworkers.
She expressed disappointment that NIMASA has so far, shirked her responsibility to dockworkers in this respect by refusing to utilize the funds for this purpose, despite the huge acruals over the years.
Haastrup described the port concession programme as a “transformative game-changer for dockworkers” because it has led to improved working conditions and safety standards, enhanced productivity and efficiency, increased job security and better remuneration for dock labour.
She equally noted that the STOAN, MWUN, and NIMASA have collaborated to enhance dockworkers’ welfare through the regular signing of the Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), which have ensured fair treatment, payment of living wages and retirement benefits to dockworkers.
“Today, dockworkers have comprehensive and robust conditions of service, which include health insurance, life insurance, pension, gratuity, and bonuses. This is a monumental improvement over what obtained in the pre-concession era. The industry’s collective efforts have institutionalised fair labour practices, recognising the vital role dockworkers play in the maritime sector,” she noted.
In his keynote address, Ascanio Russo, Managing Director, PTML Terminal, referred to dockworkers as the engine room of port operations.
Beside prioritizing dockworkers’ general welfare, he explained, PTML has gone further to send some of its dockworkers abroad for training.
Investments in the training of dockworkers, Russo observed, will enable the ports function optimally and increase revenue generation to the government.
Supporting the view on training, Chief Adebayo Sarumi, former Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) charged NIMASA to set up a training school for dockworkers.
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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