Author: Saint Augustine

By Ken Adejumoh Few years ago when the first phase of the Lekki-Epe Expressway was completed, it was a huge sigh of relief for residents and it marked a new dawn for road users who had suffered years of wait for the completion of the project. At that time, apart from Third Mainland Bridge (3MB), the express became one of the finest roads in Lagos with the solid multi-lane carriageways, world class bus stops, traffic lights, road signage and the aesthetic toll plazas. Without any doubt, commuting experience on the road improved because it was a far cry from what…

The wife of the Anambra State governor, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano has condoled with the traditional ruler of Ukwulu community in Dunukofia Local Government Area, Igwe Peter Uyanwa, Ezedike n’ Ukwulu on the death of his senior sister Mgbankwo. Mrs. Obiano who was on tour of Ukwulu Community Thursday arrived to the news of the demise of the Igwe’s sister and immediately altered her programme to commiserate with the traditional ruler in his palace. Mrs. Obiano told Igwe Peter Uyanwa that she decided to stop-by his palace the moment she was briefed about the loss to condole with him, his…

The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala Usman has promised to boost the nation’s economy through the provision of infrastructure and technologically up-to-date equipment at the ports. The Federal Government through the NPA, she said, would reposition the ports industry to play its key role as the gateway to the nation’s economy. Speaking at the Executive Business Networking Seminar organised by NIMPORT in Lagos yesterday, Ms Usman who was represented by the General Manager, Public Affairs, Chief Michael Kayode Ajayi said the government was making efforts to reposition the ports in line with global trends. Ms Usman…

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Port of Miami are collaborating to boost export and trade facilitation programme of the Federal Government. The United States International trade Coordinator at the Department of Regulatory and Economy Resources (RER), Mr. Desmond Alufohai and the Director, Government and International Relations (GIR) for Port of Miami, Ms. Debra Owens, said they were at the NPA to explore opportunities in the mineral resources and agricultural produce of the country. Speaking during their interactive session with the NPA’s Managing Director, Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman, the duo expressed their readiness to assist in the development and…

The National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC) has agreed to discontinue further negotiations for the increment of wages of dock workers given the prevailing economic conditions facing the maritime industry in general and Nigeria in particular. This decision was reached at the inaugural meeting of the NJIC which met at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Friday November 25, 2016. Presided over by the Executive Director Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Gambo Ahmed who is also the Chairman, the Council noted that the dwindling fortunes in global shipping which had affected vessel traffic to Nigeria had negatively…

The Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Monday accused the staff of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) of being more interested in what goes into their pockets than doing the job for which they were sent to do at ports. Speaking during the visit of the House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration to the National Secretariat of the National Association of Stevedoring Companies (NASC), a representative of MWUN, Comrade Abdullahi Eroje alleged that NIMASA cannot be said to be enforcing any law as it were in the industry. He further thumbed down…

The House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration has resolved to support the rebuilding efforts of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in its quest to reposition, reform and restructure for the benefit of the nation. The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago disclosed this when he led other members of his committee on oversight visit to the Agency. Hon. Bago challenged the Agency’s Management on its budget implementation stating that the Committee expects an implementation of over 90%. He called on the Management to spend the funds appropriated according to the provisions…

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside has congratulated Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, (SAN) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for winning the Ondo State governorship election. Dr. Peterside who was the governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers State in the 2015 general elections noted that Chief Akeredolu defeated the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alliance for Democracy (AD), Social Democratic Party (SDP), among others in a keenly contested election that has been adjudged free, fair and credible. He opined that the APC was the party to beat in any…

The House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration has said that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has not lived up to its expectations in its enforcement functions at the port. The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago stated this while reacting to comments from the representatives of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) when he led members of his committee on a familiarization visit to the National Secretariat of the National Association of Stevedoring Companies (NASC) in Lagos on Monday. While recalling that NIMASA had enormous powers as the highest regulatory…

The terminal operators under the aegis of Seaport Terminal Operators’ Association of Nigeria (STOAN) has dragged President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Transportation, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) before Justice Idris Kutigi of the Federal High Court in Lagos over a Presidential order conferring the port economic regulator role on the NSC. The action emanated from the claims of the plaintiffs, in this case, the terminal operators that the Presidential order made in 2015 and pursuant to it, a regulation made empowering the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to regulate tariffs at the nation’s ports was…