Maritime
Nigerian Seaport Truckers Disagree With NPA Over Proposed Truck Registration Fee
LAGOS: The Joint Council of Seaport Truckers (JCOST) has described the proposed collection of N10, 000 by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for the registration of trucks at the nation’s seaport as extortion and a way of adding to the already cumbersome problems at the ports.
The truck drivers said that, at a recent meeting between them and the NPA, the authority had notified of the electronic port access control which it intends to install at all the nation’s seaport by 2013. Hence, all trucks drivers are required to register their trucks with N10, 000, while the drivers will register themselves with N2, 500 and the motor boys to register with N2, 500 under the new system.
Apart from these, the NPA is also trying to compress all the haulage companies in the country into just 20 registered companies while others will have to be registered under them, the truck drivers have however said that the move will lead to many of their members losing their jobs.
Speaking yesterday in Lagos at the Annual General Meeting of JCOST, executives of the body took turns to condemn the NPA for attempting to extort the drivers through monetary involvement in the new system even as they vowed that they will be ready for the NPA by next year.
Chairman of the council, Alhaji Kayode Odunowo while reeling out the several achievements of the body for the year and the challenges to expect in 2013, said that the body has engaged the NPA in several meetings advising the avoidance of any monetary demands from trucks.
According to him, the union had asked the NPA to issue a letter to the union to this effect for easy documentation, “However, we are still waiting for their communiqué or proposal which shall be made open to members for further action” he said.
Also speaking at the meeting, trailer drivers unit chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Sir. Patrick Onyegbule lamented that truck drivers are already registered with shipping companies, the law enforcement agents and others for a large sum of money and that the addition of another one from NPA is not acceptable.
“The NPA will keep telling us to bring our trucks to standard, but what is the standard of the road we are plying? They must understand that the roads contribute to what makes our trucks rickety, we are paying a lot of money at the port already, and nobody is accounting for them”
According to the MWUN chieftain, the Federal Government should think of providing largesse to truck drivers and the haulage business in entirety just like it is doing to the other sectors operating at the port.
“the government should think of how they will support the seaport truckers by providing funds for them just like they do to other sectors, it is a pity that they do not call on us even when matters concerning transportation comes up, it is only when they want to introduce new levy collections you hear from them, they are playing divide and rule on us” he lamented.
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.
ALSO READ: Maritime Security: IMP SG Commends Nigeria, Meets NIMASA DG
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.
ALSO READ: Snakes, Scorpions Endanger Students At UNTH, Ituku-Ozalla
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.
ALSO READ: Aradel Holdings Admitted To NGX’s Main Board, Boosts Market Capitalization By N3.05 Trillion
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.