Maritime
Apapa Ports Decongestion: FG To Revitalise Eastern Ports
By: Chinedu Wosu
In a bid to improve maritime activities and containers traffic at the Eastern Ports, the Federal Government says it would revitalize the ports to reduce huge traffic at Apapa Ports
The government said the aim is to boost trade and maritime activities at the Eastern ports
Minister of State for Transport, Senator. Gbemisola Saraki, stated this in Port Harcourt during a one-day stakeholders workshop with the theme, “Framework to Stimulate Activities and Encourage Patronage in the Eastern Ports”, held at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt.
Senator Saraki said throughout history, the Eastern Ports of Calabar, Warri, Rivers Port Complex and Onne, Koko, Burutu have played major role in the development of international trade through shipping and nation building
The workshop, she said, was organized to listen to the complaints and gather information on the challenges faced by shippers to enable the government take necessary steps in resolving them.
This, shae said, will be done with a view to encouraging shipping activities at the Eastern Ports, in view of the fact that 75 percent of shippers are from the Eastern region.
She decried that these ports are experiencing a downturn in shipping as a result of dwindling infrastructure, insecurity, low channels draughts, power supply at the ports, including unavailability of marine infrastructures.
The Senator insisted that the revitalization of the Ports would create employment in the region and reduce criminalities.
The Minister also noted that Lagos Ports are over burdened in terms of receiving and handling of inbound and outbound cargos, thereby causing gridlock with its attendant consequence of delay in clearance process, loss of manhour, revenue and corruption.
“I am pleased with this workshop because having noticed that most of the recommendations are to be carried out by the Nigerian Ports Authority and other Agencies supervised by the Federal Ministry of Transportation, it has also created an avenue to enable other relevant ministries, department and agencies involved in shipping to contribute and proffer ways which the resolutions of the committee will be implemented to enhance patronage of the Eastern Ports”, she said.
She noted that the Federal Government has taken steps towards improving the patronage of the Eastern Ports by putting issues of policies, security, and infrastructure in the front burner.
On insecurity, specifically attacks of vessels and kidnapping of crew members, the minister said Nigeria has entered into agreement with an international company to provide water protection to deal with issues of insecurity resulting from piracy, robbery, kidnapping and armed robbery in Nigeria’s waterways.
“We are committed to the deployment of a multi modal system of transportation from all our ports.
“It is our belief that both the government and private sector have important roles to play in contributing to the development of the maritime sector and stakeholders implored to commit, synergize and cooperate towards these efforts to bring patronage to the Eastern ports for the benefit of the nation.
“I therefore expect that at the end of this workshop, the constraints of the shippers within the Eastern Ports axis would have been obtained to enabled government take necessary action in resolving them”, Saraki said.
Earlier, the Acting Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello Koko, said the Authority had set up a committee to look into the low patronage of vessels and investors experienced by the Eastern ports.
Koko noted that the management of NPA is also tackling problems of low cargos and insecurity in the four ports.
He also stated that the NPA is seeking collaboration with the Nigerian Navy in tackling sea piracy in the waterways, especially in Calabar.
The MD noted that in all Ports in the country, it is only Calabar Port that has jetty that services passengers outside the country and appealed to investors to key into the sector to boost water transportation in the country.
He further appealed to importers and exporters to always patronise the Eastern ports for quick delivery of cargoes and inefficiency.
The outgoing Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, Commodore Rotimi Oderemi, says the Nigerian Navy has ridden Calabar water channels of piracy, smuggling, militancy and oil bunkering.
Oderemi, who made this known during his handing over in Calabar, noted that the ridding of the waterways had brought relative peace and easy movement of goods through the Calabar waterways.
He said this was made possible through the deployment of platforms and other layers covering the entire Calabar channels up to Oron bypass and Bakassi axis of the nation’s maritime environment.
Commodore Oderemi, during his farewell parade at the NNS Victory parade ground in Calabar, said these achievements were made despite obvious challenges.
Oderemi, now the Director of Simulation, Headquarters, Naval Doctrine Command, Lagos, also commended other security agencies for their synergy, especially in information sharing.
“When I first arrived, I understood the complexities and unique challenges faced in this area of operation.
“This area comes with its own set of security concerns, ranging from combating piracy/sea robbery, smuggling, illegal oil bunkering, cultism and militancy, to safeguarding our economic assets and ensuring the safety of the people.
“It has been a task that required unwavering dedication, courage, and collaboration.
“Through relentless dedication and teamwork, we made measurable progress, striving to create a safer and more secure maritime environment”, he said.
He continued that the accomplishments were not achieved in isolation as the collaborations with host communities, government agencies and other partners were instrumental in achieving the successes.
The former FOC noted that NNS Victory would continue to contribute to the growth and development of the nation’s economy even with his departure.
He attributed his success during his tour of duty at NNS Victory to the officers and men of the Command, who were loyal and willing to contribute their quota to secure the nation’s waterways.
According to him, “Through the collaborative efforts of all, we also had some boats repaired while some trees were acquired.
“The result of all this is that people can now do their legal businesses in peace.
“To other security agencies, I want you to extend to my successor the synergy we had during my tour of duty here”.
Meanwhile, the new FOC of the NNS Victory, Commodore Adejumobi Oride, had pledged to replicate, if not surpass, his predecessor’s achievements at the base.
By: Chinedu Wosu
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has concluded arrangements with APM Terminal (APMT) to begin expansion of cargo movement from Apapa Port in Lagos to NRC Freight Yard at Moniya, Ibadan.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Public Relations, NRC, Mr. Yakub Mahmood.
The decision was reached during a meeting between NRC’s management, led by the Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, and the management of APMT, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Frederik Klinke.
Klinke reiterated APMT’s position as the foremost transporter of container freight in the country and a major partner to the NRC.
He noted a strategic advantage Nigeria has by being surrounded by a number of landlocked neighbouring countries.
According to him, this created an opportunity for the country to be a hub for importation of containerised goods.
“APMT assures NRC of greater efficiency in turnaround of cargo at the port”, he said.
Earlier, the Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, thanked APM Terminal for decades of partnership with NRC.
“We are going to work for the satisfaction of not only the APMT, but all customers who intend to do business with NRC”, he stated.
He also said NRC would provide reliable, efficient, safe and sustainable services, and urged encouragement of greater use of the rail system.
“This will translate into reduction in the cost of goods and services.
“It will also promote food security, which is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, he said.
The Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, Commodore Rafiu Oladejo, has disclosed that the service seized a total of 265 bags of cannabis sativa in 2024 and handed over to the appropriate authorities.
He also said the service arrested 67 stowaways in the same year from different overseas bound ships, with the most recent being eight persons found onboard MSC KATYANI on January 20th, 2025.
The Commander stated this during his send-off parade as the Base Commander, held at NNS Beecroft parade ground, Apapa, Lagos.
“193 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 7,720kg was intercepted at Badagry in March 2024, and 72 bags of the same substance weighing 2,880kg at Ilashe in October 2024.”
“Furthermore, over 18 large wooden boats laden with foreign parboiled rice, petroleum products and contraband items were arrested and handed over to appropriate prosecuting agencies”, he said.
The Commander said these efforts and the operational activities of the Base were conducted in line with the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Oghalla’s Strategic Directive 2023- 2026.
He said the directive was tailored toward the attainment of Western Naval Command’s key operational priorities and ensuring security and prosperity of the nation.
“Under my command, NNS Beecroft played a crucial role in promoting maritime safety and security as it promptly responded to several distress calls from mariners.
“The most recent being the search and rescue of MV Mamaluck offshore Lekki on January 29, 2025.
“Also, the Base remained unrelenting in its efforts at curtailing the menace of sea robbery, illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, smuggling and other crimes within the Base’s area of operations”, Oladejo said.
He further said the Base provided armed escorts to vessels and maintenance of static patrol of key points and vulnerable points such as the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) terminal at Atlas Cove.
“These efforts have continued to project the Base positively in reaffirming the vision of the CNS”, the Commander said.
Oladejo stated that he ensured that personnel’s welfare was given due attention because he understood that motivation impacted positively on operations.
“Accordingly, I ensured that all financial entitlements were paid in good time and made concerted efforts at improving nutritional standards.
“Additionally, the Divisional System was reinvigorated as more attention was dedicated to ensuring high moral values for improved professional performance”, he said.
The Commander continued that his tenure reactivated defective medical equipment in the Base’s sickbay and ensured that the facility was regularly restocked for better health care.
“We equally ensured that leaves and passes were favourably considered while measures were taken to sustain operational efficiency.
“Due attention was also paid to all Nigerian Navy Welfare schools under the Base as we ensured that dilapidated classroom structures were rebuilt, equipped and well maintained.
“It is gratifying to note that these initiatives have helped to address the welfare needs of personnel and their families”, he said.
Oladejo noted that successes recorded during his tenure could not have been achieved without the support of other security and law enforcement agencies and maritime stakeholders.
“For instance, our collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, among other agencies, were pivotal in the arrest, investigation and prosecution of various criminal suspects.
“Equally, liaison with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) ensured the relocation of some arrested vessels which hitherto constituted navigational hazards to a Bay within the Badagry Creek”, he explained.
The Commander said the NPA also sustained its support to the Base in ensuring unhindered availability of tug services and berthing spaces for ships of the Western Fleet.
“Furthermore, the collaboration with oil companies, container terminals, truck parks and the NPA has led to improved road maintenance and better management of the traffic flow within Apapa and environs”, he said.
Oladejo appreciated the patronage and support of private maritime logistics and security companies and other service providers in their effort to secure Nigeria’s maritime Environment.
He assumed duty as the NNS Commander on March 14, 2024 and has been succeeded by Commodore Paul Nimmyel.