Maritime
NIWA Presents Life Jackets To Boat Operators In Rivers
The National Inland Water
ways Authority (NIWA) has donated life Jackets and other materials to boat operators in Rivers State.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony and safety Awareness Campaign held at the NIWA Dockyard, Marine Base, Port Harcourt on Wednesday the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, Hajiya Inna Maryam Ciroma, said the gesture was to help educate stakeholders on how to keep the waterways safe at all times.
Ciroma hinted that the Authority would soon come out with an internationally acceptable safety codes that would establish offices and penalties on using the inland waterways.
She disclosed that relevant stakeholders were recently invited to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on a seminar to deliberate and suggest the way forward towards realizing the objectives of a safety code on the waterways, adding that no state government has right to control the inland waterways as it is the exclusive right of NIWA, mandated by the Federal Government.
It is very important to let all our stakeholders know that the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) was created via Decree No 13 of 1997 now CAP 47 of the National Assembly Laws”, she said, pointing out that they are mandated to improve and develop inland waterways navigation for the nation, provide an alternative made of transport for evacuation of economic goods and persons across the nation as well as provide regulations for the Inland waterways sub-sector and also ensure the development of infrastructure facilities for the inland waterways including carrying out the dredging of the Nation’s Rivers for effective navigation, among others.
The Managing Director also reiterated that NIWA had the mandate of the Federal Government to register all boats and ferries and warned all those impersonating into the rights of NIWA to desist forthwith citing a recent court judgement in Lagos.
She enjoined all stakeholders to adhere to the marine safety rules and always wear life jacket before boarding a boat, ferry and excess passengers, any locally made boats above ten years to be replaced and only trained and certified captains should operate boats and terries.
The standard regulations allow ferries to move from 6am -6pm. It is dangerous to travel after 6pm, consumption of alcohol before and during boat ride is prohibited and should be avoided All Passengers and not only the captains must be safety conscious and alert, All ferries, boats and canoes should be registered with NIWA Area Office in Port Harcourt, and stakeholders on the waterways should not hesitate to bring their complaints or observations to the Area Office of NIWA in Port Harcourt and finally, boat operators should avoid over – Speeding, if our boat operators can adhere strictly to these Ten commandments, there will be sharp decline in boat mishaps in Rivers State, Ciroma posited.
In his speech, the State chairman of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Jonah Jombo, who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Comrade Godwin Dominic expressed appreciation to NIWA for the gesture to make its members safety conscious and called on NIWA to make it an annual event.
Jumbo said MWUN is ready to associate with the Authority and charged them on rapid response on piracy by providing gun boats to patrol the waterways, and assured that members would make use of the life Jackets Judiciously as well as adhere to the safety awareness tips by NIWA.
Stakeholders from all walks of the life graced the occasion.
Collins Barasimeye
Managing Director, NIWA, Hajiya Tina Maryam Ciroma (right) presenting safety jackets to the Vice Chairman, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Rivers State Council, Comrade, Godwin Dominic, during the 2014 NIWA Safety Awareness Campaign at Port Harcourt NIWA Dockyard, Marine Base last Wednesday. With her is NIWA General Manager, Corproate Affairs, Mr, Tayo Fadile. Photo: Nwiueh Donatus Ken
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.
