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.
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 Agencies2 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