Maritime
Lawmaker Charges Okrika Speed Boat Drivers On Safety
A member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, representing Okrika Constituency, Hon. Belema Okpokiri has enjoined speed boat drivers in Okrika to be safety conscious at all time.
Hon Okpokiri, who made the call during a meeting with a newly formed Okrika marine stakeholders forum in Port Harcourt said this became necessary following the ugly incident that occurred on Christmas Eve which led to the untimely death of a 6–year old boy at the Abuloma Jetty Waterfront.
He said such could be avoided if the driver had been a bit conscious, despite the indiscriminate packing of barges and thug boats, adding that they should always regard safety as their watchword.
According to him, the meeting was conneyed in order to address the issue of indiscriminate parking of barges and thug boats along the Marine Base, Abuloma, Okrika water ways, saying that as stakeholders in Marine Business they should find a lasting solution to ensure that the waterways are not blocked and there is free flow of boats in the area.
The lawmaker decried the attitude of some youths at Abuloma Waterfront and warned them to desist as all necessary machineries are being put in place to make the water ways safer and convenient, calling on the Ministry of Transport, Rivers State, National Inland Waterways and other relevant authorities to ensure the safety of passengers and remove the wrecks as well as smooth speed boat operations along the area.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Okrika Local Government Area, Barr. Tamuno Williams who described the meeting as timely said all hands must be on deck to ensure the safety of all passengers, and sympathised with the family of the young boy that lost his life in a boat mishap at the Abuloma Jetty, stressing that the people of Okrika would not condone such act of lawlessness by the operators of the Jetty.
Barr. Williams however disclosed that the Council had concluded arrangement to site flood lights at the waterfronts of some communities in the area for safety at night and also enjoined the operators of the Abuloma Jetty to do same, while noting that his end of year free transport scheme of December 31, 2011 to January 1, 2012 from Marine Base to Okrika would be extended to other communities in the area this year, and also thanked the lawmaker for his effort.
The meeting was attended by the Chairman, Peoples Democratic party (PDP), Okrika Chapter, Hon. Gilbert Fiberesima, the Chairman, Okrika Speed Boat Owners Association, Chief Opeya Sunday, among others. House, Abuloma, Moses Pina, Sir Dan Harrison, Chairman Marine Equipment Owners/Leasing Association of Nigeria, Abuloma, Elder F.S. Elijah of Fiala Marine Jetty Abuloma, J.E. Job of Adam Marine Services Abuloma among others.
Collins Barasimeye
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operation Base (FOB), Badagry, says its gallant officers have rescued nine women from the hands of suspected human traffickers.
FOB said the suspects have been handed over to the National Agency for prohibition of Human trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) for prosecution.
This was disclosed to newsmen in a statement by the Base Information Officer, Litunent B. Awodeyi, in Lagos.
Awodeyi said the first interception of the women was during a stop and search operation by the Quick Response Team (QRT) of the Command in a boat traveling to mile 2 and Panshi Jetty in Lagos State were five women between the ages of 19 and 32 were rescued.
The statement further said four women were also rescued by QRT two days later in a boat along Tongeji Island in Badagry, with the ages of victims ranging from 19 to 24 years.
Awodeyi said the rescued suspects were under investigation in line with the 2016 Harmonised Standard Procedures on arrest.
Although the names of the suspects were not made public by FOB, it insisted that the operation reflects Navy’s dedication to combating human trafficking and ensuring a secure maritime environment in line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s strategic directive 2023 and 2026.
The directive, Awodeyi said, is aimed at promoting safety in Nigeria’s waters and the Gulf of Guinea (GOG).
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), led by its President-General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, has announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike, if the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) fails to pay nine months of salary arrears owed its employees.
Adeyanju said the affected workers are members of MWUN, and accused CRFFN management of neglecting its financial responsibilities.
MWUN in a statement by its Head of Media, Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the actions of the CRFFN’s Acting Registrar.
The statement noted that MWUN had exhausted all available options for negotiation, including issuing several ultimatums, but that the efforts were ignored by the management of CRFFN.
“The most recent attempt at mediation occurred in Abuja on September 18, 2024, yet no progress was made in resolving the matter”, it said.
The statement criticised CRFFN for disregarding a crucial resolution reached during the mediation meetings.
According to Ikemefuna, one of the resolutions stipulated that when funds become available to the CRFFN, the payment of employees’ salaries should be prioritis ed.
The statement further noted that CRFFN diverted available funds to conduct what it described as a “kangaroo” training programme for select staff members, leaving the issue of unpaid salaries unaddressed.
“This is a clear violation of the agreements reached”, it emphasised.
The Union said CRFFN’s actions have deepened the financial challenges faced by its members, hence MWUN expressed disappointment that, despite their willingness to cooperate with the CRFFN management, the regulatory body has continued to act in a manner that undermines the rights and welfare of its members.
The workers union, therefore, insisted that it would no longer tolerate the perceived impunity of the CRFFN and declared that if the outstanding nine months salary arrears are not paid, it would have no choice but to initiate a total withdrawal of its members from services.
“This action would impact key sectors of Nigeria’s maritime industry, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, dock labour, shipping and freight forwarding agencies, as well as seamen working across all ports, jetties, terminals, and oil and gas platforms”, Ikemefuna stated.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Command, has thwarted a smuggling attempt of N1.1billion illicit drugs in four containers at Apapa Port.
The four seized containers were filled with narcotics valued at N1,183,915,500.
The Command’s Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, disclosed this to newsmen through its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abubakar Usman.
The seizure involved 236,783 bottles of cough syrups containing codeine and Barcadin, packed in a total of 2,174 cartons from two terminals under the command’s jurisdiction.
Three other seizures were made at APM Terminals, while one was intercepted at Kachicares Bonded Terminal.
Comptroller Olomu explained that, “On October 11, 2024, during a joint inspection of a 1×40 container, number MRKU0377493, our officers discovered prohibited CSP cough syrup—34,800 bottles packed into 174 cartons, each containing 200 bottles.
“The shipment was expired at the time of interception”.
The statement said on the same day, another 1×40 container, number TGBU8886020, was found with 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup, packed in cartons containing 100 bottles each.
Additionally, a third container (TCKU6800526) examined on October 15, 2024, at APMT Terminal, labelled as containing essential goods, revealed 19 cartons of concealed CSJ cough syrup for throat and chest with codeine, packed in 200 bottles per carton.
Another major seizure was recorded on October 15, 2024, at Kachicares Resources Terminal: A 1×40FT container, number SUDU8579006, declared as containing kitchen wares, was found with a concealed stash of Barcadin cough syrup in 1,584 cartons, along with 83 loose bottles.
Comptroller Olomu described the seizures as part of the NCS’ zero-tolerance policy toward smuggling.
Apapa Command, he said, “is committed to efficient trade facilitation while maintaining strict controls on revenue collection and anti-smuggling activities.
”I urge those engaged in illegal trade to avoid Apapa Port. Our vigilant officers, using intelligence, technology, and experience, are poised to detect and intercept any smuggling attempts”.
He insisted that Codeine abuse has been linked to severe side effects, including drowsiness, confusion, and increased susceptibility to criminal behaviors.
“The Nigerian government banned the importation of codeine-containing cough syrups in 2018 after widespread misuse among youth”, he noted.
The Comptroller said further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the individuals behind the smuggling attempts.
