Maritime
FEC approves N221.9 bn for construction of lekki deep sea port in Lagos
ABUJA – The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday in Abuja approved the signing of an agreement for the development of the Lekki deep sea port in Lagos State.
The Minister of Transport, Alhaji Idris Umar, stated this while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the weekly FEC meeting presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo.
He said the seaport project would be executed at the cost of 1.345 billion dollars (about N221.9 billion).
Umar said it would be executed through the Private-Public-Partnership arrangement, and has been concessioned to Messrs Lekki Ports LFTZ Enterprise for 45 years.
He said 20 per cent is for the Federal Government in terms of the project’s equity shares, with 18.5 for the Lagos State Government and 61.5 for the private investors.
The minister said 800 million dollars out of the project cost would be funded through debt financing, while the balance would be contributed by equity.
He said the seaport when completed would give Nigeria its first deep sea port since independence and end congestion at the Apapa port.
“The economic benefits of this port to this country and to the economy of the country in particular need not to be over-emphasised.
“Not less than 9.3 billion dollars will be accrued to the (Nigeria Ports Authority) NPA, made up of 2.6 billion dollars from marine services and royalties and then 6.7 billion dollars’ share of profits from the investments.
“Other benefits that will accrue will be the ripple effects of operation of the port from Customs charges and other economic benefits which will not be less than 379 billion dollars over the period of 45 years.
“The ports will create jobs of not less than 162,000. It is therefore of immense benefit to the economy of this country. Therefore, that underscores the need for us to have this deep sea port.’’
The minister further stated that the port would automatically revert to the Federal Government at the end of the concession period.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Works, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda, said FEC further approved about N30 billion for the construction/rehabilitation of some roads across the country.
He said the road projects were meant to fast track the development of infrastructure and boost socio-economic and agricultural activities.
“The projects include the construction of Kankara-Gurbi road in Katsina State at the cost of N1.4 billion and the construction/rehabilitation of Yashi-Duguri-Yalo Road in Bauchi State at the cost of N1.75 billion.
“Also, there is the construction of Isoko Ring Road in Delta at the cost of N2.1 billion and the Jarmai-Bashar Road in Plateau State at the cost of N1.38 billion.
“Others include the rehabilitation of Wukari/Akwana Road in Taraba at the cost of N3.97 billion, and the construction of Ajase/Offa/Erin-Ike/Osun State Boundary Road in Kwara at the cost of N1.24 billion.
“There is also the Takum-Dongawa Road and Katsina-Ala at the cost of N1 billion, and the rehabilitation of Amanwaozuzu-Uzoagba-Eziama-Orie-Amaohia road in Imo which will gulp N1.275 billion.
“The rest will see N1.48 billion being spent on the construction of River Ebba Bridge at Cheche, Katcha Local Government Area in Niger, and the construction of Bida-Sacci-Nupeko Road in Niger which will gulp N8.673 billion,’’ Yuguda said.
In his contribution, the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, told State House correspondents that the National Good Governance Tour would resume with a visit to Kaduna state on Saturday.
He also stated that the Minister of Sports, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi briefed the council on the forthcoming National Youth Games (NYG) billed to start this weekend in Abuja
– NAN
Maritime
NIMASA Makes Dockworkers Registration Compulsory
The management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has advised International Oil Companies, terminal and jetty operators, and all other companies involved in stevedoring in the country to refrain from engaging unregistered dockworkers.
The information was contained in a statement made available to Biztellers by the Head, Public Relations, NIMASA, Osagie Edward.
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According to the statement, all stakeholders, including dock labour employers and stevedoring companies, are encouraged to apply for new operating licenses or renew expired ones within a 30-day moratorium period.
“This requirement,” it added, “is stipulated by the NIMASA Act of 2007 and outlined in the NIMASA Stevedoring Regulations of 2014, which mandates strict compliance from all maritime operators.”
Osagie cited the Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola as laying emphasis on the need for stakeholders to comply with extant laws and regulations.
Dr Mobereola said, “No terminal or company shall continue to engage the services of unregistered dockworkers for cargo handling at their work locations.
“This move is part of our broader effort to ensure safe and regulated operations within Nigeria’s maritime industry. Compliance with these regulations will enhance our ability to maintain an up-to-date database of dockworkers operating in the country. It also improves our planning processes, as we are committed to developing their capacity to meet globally accepted standards for dockworkers in Nigeria. We intend to enforce full compliance after the moratorium period.”
It was gathered that the NIMASA Act, 2007, Part IX, Section 27, addressed the registration of Dockworkers with focus on Maritime Labour.
“It ensures the Registration, Regulation, and control of Maritime Labour, including dockworkers. The Act assigns the Agency the responsibility of maintaining standards in accordance with international best practices,” Osagie added.
Maritime
Maritime Diplomacy: Nigeria Seeks Election Into IMO Council
Nigeria has expressed a strong desire to seek election into Category “C” of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council.
The Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, made the disclosure at the 2024 World Maritime Day parallel event in Barcelona, Spain.
Oyetola noted that Nigeria has put in place the basic needs for the development of her maritime industry in line with recognized global best practices.
In his words, “our active participation in upholding key conventions, such as the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, reflects our dedication to ensuring the safety of international shipping.
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There have been no incidents of piracy in the last three years, as confirmed by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). By deploying resources to provide maritime security assets, Nigeria has solidified its role as a key guardian of maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Nigeria remains a valuable source of manpower for the industry. I therefore urge our partners to explore this potential and assist where possible in the best interest of all. Our Maritime Academy has adequate resources and facilities to support this development.
“I am pleased to announce Nigeria’s resolve to seek a Category “C” membership on the Council.
On his part, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, assured that no stone will be left unturned to ensure success in the quest for IMO Category C membership at the next elections.
According to him, “We at NIMASA have met with the IMO technical team and have commenced work on all identified grey areas so that Nigeria can address the gaps identified during the last audit by the IMO.
”We have also commenced the process of effective communication with other member states using the IMO GSIS platform, among others. While we at NIMASA focus on the technical aspects of the preparations, our supervising Ministry will provide the political will to guide Nigeria back to the Council at the IMO.”
Oyetola, who held engagement sessions with the IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez and other diplomats, was accompanied on the working tour by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola; the Director General of the NIMASA; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; the Managing Director of NIWA, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji; and the Director of Maritime Safety and Security Services, Mr. Babatunde Bombata.
This year’s parallel event with the theme: Navigating the Future: Safety First, brought together international maritime leaders and experts to discuss future challenges and opportunities, with the aim of ensuring that safety is prioritized in the day-to-day operations of the global maritime sector.
Maritime
Why PPP Is Necessity For Nigeria’s Maritime Infrastructural Dev’t – Mobereola
The adoption of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model is essential for the infrastructural development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
This is the view of the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola.
The DG, shared his views while hosting the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh.
He emphasized the importance of the Commission’s increased involvement in attracting private investors to develop infrastructural capacity in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
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Dr. Mobereola said, “We appreciate the Management of the ICRC for being responsive. However, you know that the maritime sector is capital intensive and government funds cannot solely put in place the required infrastructure. We need the ICRC to develop PPP based business models that will be attractive to the private sector both from within and outside the country.
“There is the need to streamline processes by the use of technology, as we will continue to count on the support of ICRC to help drive the Agency’s PPP projects for effective and efficient service delivery to our stakeholders”.
Lending support to Dr. Mobereola’s views, Dr. Ewalefoh, underscored the significance of the maritime sector to Nigeria’s economy.
He noted that the PPP model would facilitate increased funding and expertise from the private sector, thereby accelerating the growth and development of the Nigerian maritime sector. Additionally, he stated that the ICRC is prepared to engage with the Agency on its projects and ensure timely execution.
“There is no time to waste; our country needs lots of funding for infrastructure and we need to create an enabling environment for activities to thrive. First, is service delivery, not revenue generation, and people will be willing to pay if they get the right services”, the ICRC boss noted.
The PPP model has proven to be the most viable approach worldwide for driving government policies that promote development and economic growth.
Biztellers reports that as a regulatory agency and Nigeria’s Maritime Administrator, the NIMASA has consistently embraced collaboration and partnership through the PPP initiative to ensure the growth and development of the maritime sector.