Maritime
Dickson Awards Agge Deep Seaport’s Contract, Nov
Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson says his administration will award the contract for the Agge deep seaport, which is one of the most ambitious and capital intensive projects, under his watch next month.
The governor, who disclosed this in his remarks at the October, 2018 edition of the State’s monthly Praise Night at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa, stated that, the project is part of his administration’s decision to double its strategic developmental efforts in a bid to move the state to greater heights.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr Fidelis Soriwei, quoted the governor as stressing that, despite having just 14 months left of his term in office, he will remain committed to developing of the State by awarding the Agge Deep Seaport contract this year.
Dickson, who disclosed that the state is developing housing estates, with over 1,500 plots of land at the Government Reserved Area, to be allotted to prospective buyers, noted that Bayelsa is on the verge of an infrastructural breakthrough.
Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the governor charged politicians to go about their campaigns peacefully and to shun all forms of violence.
He also expressed concern over the devastating effects of flood on Bayelsans, especially those that have been displaced from their homes and communities, assuring them of the government’s continued support, as they prepare to return and resettle.
He used the occasion to renew his call for the restructuring of the country to enable states and the various ethnic nationalities benefit maximally from their resources.
His words: “Next one week I will be awarding the contracts of your seaport at Agge, you people have not seen anything yet.
“These remaining 14 months, what you will see will marvel all of you, for those of you who does not have houses, paying expensive house rents, get ready to own houses of your own in this our Bayelsa because, unknown to you we are developing housing estates.
“For those who do not want to have problems buying lands whose titles and history they do not know, we have started a process of giving lands, our own planned GRA of close to 1,500 and more plots.
“I also want to share my concern, support and solidarity with all our people whose homes have been taken over by the devastating flood because of the peculiar environment and that is why I keep making a case on your behalf that the resources that comes from this place, the Federal Government should use for your development and wellbeing”.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Christian Pilgrimage Welfare Board, Arch Bishop Israel Ige, who delivered a sermon titled, “The Buts That Troubles Your Destiny”, said the buts in one’s life can hinder an individual from fulfilling his destiny.
He lauded the Governor Dickson for his interest in the spiritual wellbeing of the people and the state, through the implementation of the monthly Praise Night.
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.
