Maritime
Okrika Speed Boat Operators Lament Military Harassment
Speed boat operators ply
ing Okrika to Port Harcourt have lamented over the harassment by Military Personnel and the indiscriminate parking of barges and tug-boats.
The operators who said this in an interview with The Tide Correspondent at Marine Base Port Harcourt yesterday said that the activities of these people and companies are posing a great challenge to their business and even endanger the lives of their passengers.
According to them, it has become imperative that government and other relevant authorities should come to their aid in order to safe them from unnecessary embarrassments adding that there is the need to also save the lives of their fellow boat drivers and make the business environment conducive.
A commercial speedboat driver, Miebaka Alikeri said “the NLNG Service boats, the indiscriminate parking of barges and tug-boats at Abuloma waterfront and emptying of dust-bins into the river is a big problem that should be looked into by the authorities to ease their operations.”
Another driver, Tamunobarasinpiri Amangi lamented over the activities of the Naval personnel at Abuloma, as well as that of the Joint Task Force (JTF) at Marine Base.
Another Operator, Mr Lamunotonye Michael Obipi expressed worry as barges and tug-boats parked at the waterways along Abuloma pose a great danger to the lives and property of their passengers, adding that a seven –year old boy died as a result of the indiscriminate parking when their boat capsized while avoiding the barges.
Obipi also berated the activities of the Naval personnel and the Army in the area, stating that despite the good relationship existing between us, “ they still molest our drivers when NLNG boats and those doing illegal bunkering were allowed to speed off for reasons best known to them.
According to him, one of their drivers, Wilson Kalio was yesterday given the beaten of his life by the Navy at Abuloma with an allegation that he did not slow down when he supposed to do so, adding that the victim is receiving treatment in a private clinic.
He also disclosed that early this year, NLNG boat on speed capsized one of their speed boats but luckily no life was lost. He called on the government to set up a taskforce to monitor boat operators as was the case of TIMARIV for road transport.
Since the Okrik sea route is peaceful, they should allow us to operate till 10.00 pm and the military should co-operate with us while barges and tug-boats owners at Abuloma should re-park their marine equipments to avoid unnecessary accident,” he said.
In his contribution, Owunari Biriowu said “I am not happy with the activities of the Military Men. They confront passengers with loads, drivers with 200 Horse power engine boat were cautioned why they should use such double engines. In short, they should co-operate with us to ease our marine business as law abiding citizens.”
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.
