Maritime
Passengers Decry Fare Hike To Bonny, Bille, Others
Passengers travelling to riverine communities in Rivers State have decried the increase in transport fare occasioned by the recent removal of oil subsidy by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The hike, which some passengers described as inhuman has been condemned, calling on President Goodluck Jonathan to revert back to the oil subsidy.
The passengers who decried the sudden increase in the transport fare to their communities in the riverine areas of the state however said they are to blame the Government for its action that had caused the hike.
Our Correspondent, who was at some of the Jetties in Port Harcourt observed that some passengers were not happy over the development but had to travel at all cost.
Mrs Blessing Amaechi, a nurse with St. Charles Clinic Bonny said she travelled out of Bonny to her home town in Abia for a burial on the 10th December 2011, only to come back now with her two children and be stranded at the Jetty as she had only N1,700 that is for her transport alone.
Mrs Amaechi said she paid N800 the trio were leaving when but now they (Boat drivers) said the children should pay N1,700, and that all efforts to plead with the drivers proved abortive and she could not leave her children at the jetty and travel to Bonny alone as she is to resume duty.
“I need help and I pray God will reward that person that would help us to reach Bonny,” she said, and lamented that the increase is unfair”.
Also, a youth corper serving at a Secondary School at Abalamabie, Emeka Uwa said he just went home for the two weeks holiday and came back from Lagos to observe that the transport fare had increased to N1,700 and he had less than that amount with him, hoping to survive when he gets to the school through the allowances paid which is not even enough but to give their best as national service, describing the situation as quite unfortunate.
He appealed to the Federal Government to see to the plight of the teeming masses and especially corpers, who should be given preferential treatment.
In his statement, the Vice Chairman of Bonny Marine Drivers Association, Mr. Ayiba-Preye Misongo has this to say, “Actually the increase in fare is not our making as we were formerly collecting N1,200 but only added N500.00.
when there was fuel scarcity following the Federal Government’s removal of the oil subsidy.
According to him, “Although the passengers are gambling as the money on them could not take them to their destinations, and some refused to pay on the first day the increase was made but now they are trying to adjust themselves, but some are seeking for help from people to travel because they had less than the transportation charged”.
Mr. Markson Kuromi, traveling from Port Harcourt to Nembe in Bayelsa State by boat said the suffering of the people is pitiable as they now pay N3,050 instead of the normal fare of N2,000, but since there is no alterative, we have to pay and travel for our businesses.
Mr. Kuromi, however supported the removal of the oil subsidy, saying “let us suffer and enjoy later like Ghana. Things will be better if people exercise patience with the plans of the government”.
A private boat owner, ThankGod Job simply said he used 40 litres of fuel to and from Bille at the cost of N6,000 but it is now sold at N10,000, and that he is not aware of how much passengers pay to Bille now.
At Marine Base, Port Harcourt, The Tide gathered that there had been consultations between the Council Chairman, Hon. Tamuno Williams and the executive of Speed Boat Owners on the increase, which they finally agreed to add only N50.00 to the N200 they have been collecting with effect from yesterday while at Abonnema Wharf, Mrs Daba Dokubo, who was traveling to Bakana complained that with the increase in transport fare from N3,000 to N3,600, it is going to affect cost of goods and every aspect of life, and also appealed to the Federal Government to rescind its action as the people at the grassroot would be badly affected. “Let the President consider the poor people because not all can afford this amount,” he further appealed.
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.
