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CNS Meets Stakeholders, Harps On Collective Action To Secure Maritime Domain

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VICE ADMIRAL OGALLA

…As Police disown Miyetti Allah security outfit in Nasarawa!

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, on Tuesday in Abuja met with key stakeholders to push for collective action to secure the Nigerian maritime environment.

Ogalla said this was necessary to tackle oil theft, boost crude oil production and for other businesses to thrive, thereby enhancing the nation’s economic prosperity and development.

He said the navy had increased the level of policing of the maritime area and would welcome the support of the key stakeholders to make the maritime environment safer.

“Our collective effort, therefore, is required to create an environment conducive for increased production and economic activities.

“For that reason, the Nigerian Navy has deemed it necessary to call this meeting to discuss with the stakeholders.

“This is part of our approach to national security, which is in line with the modern concept of security, because we see security from the whole of society approach.

“We recognise that the military alone cannot do it and for us to achieve the desired objective, we must have all the stakeholders involved,’’ he said.

VICE ADMIRAL OGALLA
VICE ADMIRAL OGALLA

Ogalla said that despite the steady decline in the rate of maritime crimes and the significant rise in oil production recently, Nigeria has not been able to meet its OPEC production quota.

This, according to him, has affected the revenue that the country should generate to solve its social and economic challenges.

“This meeting, therefore, is one of the regular engagements with the navy aimed at fostering a common understanding and synergy and trust among maritime stakeholders.

“It will focus on addressing personal concerns affecting your businesses or operations.

“We shall also look at pertinent areas of improving our working relationships so that we can benefit optimally from the resources in the maritime domain.”

In his speech, the Navy’s Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Adm. Joseph Akpan, said the meeting was aimed at reviewing the Navy’s operations, procedures, and outcomes, to identify areas that require adjustments for better performance.

He also said the meeting was to foster understanding, and collaboration and set new standards to stabilize the maritime environment.

Akpan urged the stakeholders to contribute freely to the discussions, adding that “it should be a no-holds-barred discussion.”

“Because we really want to interact with you and get to the root of matters that are evolving, so that we can have better operations in the maritime space,’’ he added.

Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, Executive Vice President, Downstream, NNPCL, Mr Dapo Segun, said the meeting would help to reinforce collaboration towards a safer maritime domain.

He therefore urged that the discussions should be candid about the challenges and opportunities in the Nigerian maritime environment, including the vandalism of oil pipelines.

In another development, the Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State,  Umar Nadada, has said that the vigilante group recently inaugurated by the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a Fulani Socio-Cultural Association in the state, is not recognised by the police.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Fulani socio-cultural group unveiled the vigilante group on Jan. 18, in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The Commissioner of Police said this when members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) visited him on Tuesday in Lafia.

According to the commissioner, no formal letter was written to inform the police of the group`s intention to register any Nomad Vigilante Group.

“It is our duty to attend any gathering to provide security and ensure that hoodlums did not hijack the event or the organisers themselves will not do anything illegal.

“Even when they came to our headquarters, I addressed them outside the headquarters of the command because there was no formal notification” he added.

Nadada said that the police had been working with vigilante groups that were recognised,  and would not work with any group not recognised by the state,” he said.

On the synergy with NUJ, Nadada said that the police was ready to work with the media for proper policing in the state.

The commissioner said that the contributions of journalists to the development of any society, and of course policing of the society cannot be undermined.

“Media practitioners in the state have proven to be true professionals in their reportage, and have always contacted us to get clarification before publishing or airing their reports.

“The coverage of police activities in the state has been unprecedented and we need to commend you and appeal that it should be sustained.

“Without the coverage of our activities the public will not know the efforts we are making in fighting crime, and the feat we have achieved,” he said.

He said that the command had concluded plans to expand the anti-kidnapping unit of the police from two to five for more efficiency.

Earlier, Mr  Salihu Alkali, NUJ Chairman in the state, congratulated Nadada on his posting as the commissioner of Police in the state and promised to support him to succeed.

He commended the Police for their relentless effort toward fighting crime and appealed that patrol should be stepped up on Nasarawa State Polytechnic Lafia and Federal University of Lafia.

The chairman said that this would tackle the increasing robbery in the area.

He said that the people in the state were not happy with the formation of the Nomad Vigilante group, and urged the police to address it before it got out of control.

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NIMASA FLOATING DOCK: Born By Good Intention; Wrecked By Good Intentions! 

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NIMASA FLOATING DOCK: Born By Good Intention; Wrecked by Good intentions! 

…As Industry watchers gravely worry that, Mobereola’s ‘good intention’ may finally seal its fate!

It is the simplest question in the world: ‘If your community has a N50 billion investment, what would you do with it; manage it well or honestly wreck it?’

The Maritime industry is a Community. It has enjoyed a leadership succession of highly credible, good-intentioned, competent Chief Executive Officers. Yet, it has abysmally suffered and incarcerated and laid prostrate, more from good intention, perhaps, far more than anything.

Now, how do you blame a man, with good intentions, until you are berthed at the Nigerian Maritime industry?

A former Director General of NIMASA, Dr Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi has very good intentions. He imagined what life could be if the incoming students of the Okerenkoko Maritime University could have a N50 billion modular floating dock to play with, in furtherance of gaining enviable practicals, while acquiring the skills required to meet the high seafaring certificates.

Pronto, he secured Abuja approvals, to dip hands into the Agency’s coffers and procured a N50 billion modular floating dock. 

However, before the brand new equipment could arrive on June 11, 2018, Akpobolokemi’s tenure had ended, alongside, both his good intention and the ‘myopic desire’ to take such gargantuan, multi-billion Naira equipment to a remote riverine village in the Niger Delta.

L-R: NIMASA DG, Dr Dayo Mobereola and Ewalefoh the ICRC Chief Executive Officer, a few days ago in Lagos.

The emergence of Dr Dakuku Peterside was a testament to another CEO, who was not only good intentioned, alongside his amiable Deputy, Dr Bashir Jamoh, but also, arguably, more ‘patriotic’!

Arguably, their patriotism, perhaps uncoordinated, however, spelt doom for the modular floating dock, and placed it on the travails into limbo!

First, they discovered that the floating dock could serve its original purpose of providing practicals for Okerenkoko Maritime University students, as well as generate money for Nigeria, whose economy had begun to show signs of serious cracks.

Consequently, their wiser decision and template therefore, resulted in the need to shop for a better location in Lagos, where the dock could be deployed to drydock local and foreign vessels and thus generate tens of billions monthly; even as students are opportune to come to Lagos, do their practicals and still get paid.

The agency is a regulatory concern. They should have handed it over to any indigenous operator, masters of the art like the STARZS Ship repair yard and set standards; but they decided to first look for a conducive location. 

Those who believe that the government has no business running business probably have seen it all.

First, they secured a temporary parking site, where the agency allegedly paid about $30,000 per night, and moored it there. Religiously, the agency allegedly began to pay bills as if they were settling hotel accommodation!

It was possible that the agency later forgot its floating dock was actually parked where, it continued to demolish dollars, like the barracuda demolishes smaller fishes. Within a short period of three years, the agency had paid the first instalment of the first N3bn…!

It was possible that, during that period, the members of the National Assembly, from both the Red and Green Chambers continued to come on oversight functions. It was also possible that, during the same period, the agency continued to go to Abuja for its ritualistic budget defences!

NIMASA FLOATING DOCK: Born By Good Intention; Wrecked by Good intentions! 
Nigeria’s modular floating dock, decaying, corroding, providing remarkable shelters for water hyacinth and other reptiles in Tin Can Island waters…!

Responding to inquiries, Enyeribe Anyanwu in Ships and Ports, some five years ago, wrote in pain, demanding apologies from Dr. Dakuku Peterside.

“Dakuku owes Nigerians apology over N50bn floating dock mess”, Anyanwu cried out thus:

‘At a recent press conference in Lagos, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, took time to explain the circumstances that have kept the modular floating dock the agency acquired at a whopping cost of N50billion idle since June 11, 2018, it arrived in Nigeria.

‘According to Peterside, the major reason why the floating dock has not commenced operation is because the agency has not secured an operational berthing space for the dock. 

‘He said where the floating dock is currently situated only serves as a storage berthing space where operation of a floating dock cannot be undertaken. 

‘He further explained that at the time the floating dock was acquired, NIMASA had intended to deploy it to Okerenkoko in Delta State but could not do so because of reports by experts coupled with security challenges in the region. Based on these factors, the agency decided to situate it in Lagos.

“Originally, it was designed to berth in Delta State but even at that time, there were lots of reports advising to the contrary. Those reports are still there to date. When we got here, we were forced to review all these reports and make a decision that we think will serve the best interest of the country and the shipping community,” said Dakuku.

L-R: NIMASA DG, Dr. Dayo Mobereola and Ewalefoh the ICRC Chief Executive Officer, a few days ago in Lagos.

But, if the Ships and Ports incisively provided an insight, the mmsplusng.com on 25 July 2021 alerted the industry: 

“N50bn NIMASA Floating Dock Loses Class, N21.6bn Potential Earnings”, calling attention to the fact that a management decay had become noticeable concerning the floating dock.

Three months earlier, primetimereporters.com on 18 March 2021 had mentioned this: NIMASA Floating Dock: Another conduit pipe to milk Nigeria’s scarce…”

But, while Dr. Dakuku was still explaining the situation, his tenure ended, and Dr. Bashir Jamoh took over.

Now, Jamoh happened to be both good-intentioned and enviably foresighted. 

He didn’t want to suffer the same fate as the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA Floating Dock V, which allegedly sank following neglect occasioned by mere faulty pumps and valves!

He therefore meticulously aimed for the best, involving the ICRC and the NPA. A portion of the Continental Shipyard Ltd was worked on until it was secured.

It was further learnt that a functional bidder, with the best intentions, by the name J MARINE was secured, to midwife the vision. Thereafter, bureaucracy took over.

Each time they promised to deploy the floating dock to the location where it would yield revenue and create employment for Nigerians, something was sure to change the date.

Never mind the fact that the ‘OnePage Africa (https://onepageafrica.com › nimasa…) had gleefully reported on 24 Mar 2021: NIMASA, NPA conclude arrangements for the deployment of … with Dr Jamoh stressing, “I am here to affirm that the modular floating dock has come to stay. We have concluded arrangements for its deployment…”

Yet, instead of making money, it was leaking money. 

*NIMASA’s N50 billion modular floating dock in its first baptism of fire state, before its painful, rapidly deteriorating travail began…!

In nature, just as in the global maritime industry, there is no room for stagnancy: equipment is either slowly appreciating or rapidly degenerating. 

By September 7, 2022, the Daily Trust story encapsulated it thus: “The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has paid the sum of N13.5billion as wharfage charges for a floating dock, which it acquired three years ago, an investigation by Daily Trust on Sunday has revealed.

‘Wharfage is the fee charged to cover the cost of using a wharf. It includes the cost of nocking unto the dock electricity and maintenance service since a ship cannot be locked up and abandoned like a car.

‘A senior management source at the agency told our correspondent that they paid around $30,000 daily as wharfage charges and other expenses.

‘The source said the agency might have paid $32.9million in three years.

‘The claim is consistent with the disclosure of a former executive director, operations of the NIMASA, Rotimi Fashakin, who explained that insecurity in the Niger Delta region made it difficult for the agency to berth the dock at Okerenkoko as originally conceptualised.

‘He said, “Indeed, the floating dock was supposed to go to Okerenkoko in Delta State, but with the conditions that exist now, it is almost impossible. A dock is supposed to serve the shipping community as a commercial facility, but which company or vessel would be bold enough to travel to Delta State?”

‘The NIMASA is a regulator and not an operator, so giving the dock to an operator also needs to go through the bureaucracy of government”.

Seemingly seeking to get the best, the Dock wobbled into 2023, suffering one distraction after another. The agency was either trying to install a dolphin or a mooring pole or facing manmade obstacles from the NPA.

One day, nature got tired of it all; and by an act of the gods, a storm pounced on it, tore it out and dragged it out of its safe abode, until it became a threat to other costly equipment. 

Like a stray bull, by the time it was finally caught and restrained, it could not be said, that a few marine facilities had not been damaged.

*The nation’s floating dock, in its new, lonely location…

Now, when you catch a stray bull, hardly does it enjoy mercy. Needless to say, this has since become the painful fate of the Agency’s N50,000 modular floating dock. 

Of course, it deservedly got punished: it was taken to and beached in pathetic loneliness, in a not-so-safe place, far from the media’s prying eyes!

Se eyi t’o se, ore mi ojo nlo. Eyi t’o ba se, la o royin…is a popular song in Osun State. Both the DG and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy might have sung that song in the early 80’s.

Presently, mum is the word at the agency. No one wants to talk about it, particularly its location, its growing loneliness, as well as its rapidly depreciating state. Yet, the N50bn, excluding other avoidable expenses, does belong to all Nigerians!

WORLD MARITIME DAY: We'll Adhere To Global Safety Standards, says Oyetola 
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Chief Adegboyega Oyetola

Ever since then, the agency has deliberately kept the media perpetually in the dark, panning fielding questions in ways that provided false hopes and optimism, creating dreams which consistently tilt to be a mirage.

Perhaps, this was the major reason which guaranteed the wholesome euphoria which welcomed Dr. Dayo Mobereola’s announcement, as the Director General.

Mobereola came in with stupendous academic certificates and an enviable wealth of experience, garnered from the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority LAMATA. He fielded the questions beautifully, each time he addressed the press. He says all the right words. He wonderfully says the hard words, softly. No wonder he enjoys the confidence and hearty goodwill of core industry operators which included Capt Emmanuel Ihenacho and Engr. Greg Utomwen Ogbeifun, amongst others!

However, weeks have grown into months since he assumed office; and industry watchers are sadly watching what remains of the NIMASA modular floating dock, sadly, finally turning into a wreck!

The ICRC Chief Executive Officer, Ewalefoh only a few days back was a hallowed Guest of the DG; pledging the assurances of the ICRC to go in search of Investors, to promote a Public Private Partnership PPP climate.

He probably does not know the current, wasting state of the Agency’s gold mine!

An industry watcher pointedly asked Maritime First: “What else did they discuss? Or, did they deliberately sweep the floating dock issue under the carpet?”

At this point again, one cannot but remember to ask that simplest question before NIMASA Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola: ‘If your community has an N50 billion investment, what would you do with it as a CEO; manage it well or honestly wreck it?’

 The National Assembly may have forgotten about the NIMASA’s floating dock. But industry watchers are aware that the Senate Committee Chairman on Marine Transport, Distinguished Senator Eshilokun has not been so far from Lagos, not to understand that if the floating Dock is deployed tomorrow, a good fraction of those who will be employed there would be the good people of Lagos State!

Someone had expressed concern that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola had not shown adequate interest in the welfare and deployment of the modular floating dock. But, his apathy can be understood, he had never been a maritime person in the real sense… and so, may not see the dire economic importance of a floating dock, especially in terms of employment and revenue generation!

Perhaps, Nigerians should by now be asking too, how the NIMASA’s modular floating dock unfortunately became an orphan: even after the Federal Executive Council FEC officially handed it over to a preferred bidder. 

The DG should confirm to Nigerians, the name of the preferred bidder and what the bidder has contributed, even if lamely, to the rapid development or deterioration of the floating dock!

Perhaps, President Bola Tinubu was 100 per cent correct, when he recalled the old national anthem!

Industry watchers are not expecting the NIMASA to be professionally administered like the Nigeria Customs Service, whose leadership, and CGC not only was grown through the ranks but was adequately prepared before the appointment. Yet, they do not anticipate a regime that like Nero, would diddle with flute and trumpet, while Rome burns!

The Yoruba adage succinctly says it with meaning: Se eyi t’o ba se ore mi ojo nlo. Eyi t’o ba se la o royin… (Do that which is needful, quickly; for time waits for no one!)

Mobereola is perhaps at the threshold of history: he will Save Or Sink the nation’s floating dock, along with its unrealized dreams, failed prayers and a plethora of good intentions!

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NIMASA: PPP Model, A Vibrant Necessity for Maritime Infrastructural development, Says Mobereola

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NIMASA: PPP Model, A Vibrant necessity for Maritime Infrastructural development, Says Mobereola

…As ICRC DG assures: “We are ready to Partner with NIMASA to Develop the Maritime Sector”

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola has expressed a determination to adopt the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, stressing that it remains the most viable option for a quick infrastructural development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

Dr. Mobereola stated this, while hosting the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, who swiftly assured the Director General of ICRC total support in his desired goals.

Dr. Mobereola noted that the maritime sector is uniquely capital intensive, hence government funds cannot solely be able to put in place the required infrastructure, therefore,

emphasized the importance of the Commission’s increased involvement in attracting private investors to develop infrastructural capacity in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

Accordingly, 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”, Dr. Dayo Mobereola stated, while appreciating the ICRC management, for being responsive to industry needs and challenges. He then added:

 “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”.

Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, who supported the NIMASA DG’s position, however, underscored the significance of the maritime sector, to Nigeria’s economy, as 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.

Speaking further, Ewalefoh highlighted that the ICRC was 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 two Chief Executive Officers jointly agreed that the PPP model has proven to be the most viable approach worldwide, for driving government policies that promote development and economic growth; and as a regulatory agency and Nigeria’s Maritime Administration, NIMASA has consistently embraced collaboration and partnership through the PPP initiative to ensure the growth and development of the maritime sector.

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Ex-OAU Murder: Appeal Court Adjourns For Judgment

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Ex-OAU Murder: Appeal Court Adjourns For Judgment

…As SSANU, NASU strike paralyses freshers’ orientation in OAU

The Appeal Court in Akure, on Tuesday, adjourned for judgment, a case in the murder of a post-graduate student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Timothy Adegoke at the Hilton Hotel and Resort, Ike-Ife, Osun.

The three-man jury, headed by Justice Olufemi Akeju, held that the date for judgment would be communicated to the two counsels, Mr Femi Falana. SAN, and Mr Kehinde Eleja, after both adopted their written addresses.

Recall that the Osun State High Court on May 30, 2023, sentenced the owner of Hilton Hotel and Resort, Ile-Ife, Dr Ramon Adedoyin and his staff, Adeniyi Aderogba and Oyetunde Kazeem, to death by hanging for Adegoke’s murder.

Adegoke, 37, was gruesomely murdered in November 2021, and his body was found in a shallow grave at a location very close to Adedoyin’s hotel, where the decease had lodged.

Earlier, the appellants’ lead counsel, Eleja asked the court to dismiss the allegations and acquit his clients of the offence for which they were convicted.

He argued that neither the evidence nor the witnesses proved Adedoyin’s involvement in the said murder.

But the respondent’s counsel, Falana, urged the court to affirm the judgement of the lower court based on the copious evidence presented by the prosecution.

He added that the pieces of circumstantial evidence proved that Adedoyin conspired with others to commit the offence, asking the court to dismiss the appellants’ appeal.

In another development, still on OAU, the nationwide industrial action by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has stalled the orientation programme organised by the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife for first-year students.

The Chairman, SSANU, OAU Ile-Ife, Dr Taiwo Arobadi, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen, on Tuesday, in Ile-Ife.

Arobadi said that it was a pity that new students, who were being exposed to the dos and don’ts in the institution, could have such an ugly experience, while entering the institution.

He said that the union had directed the new students to remain in their hostels or return to their homes, if they came from far distance locations.

According to him, the offices would remain under lock and key and academic activities would as well be paralysed until the government answers them by paying their withheld four months salary.

The SSANU chairman said that it was unanimously agreed by the union for the strike to be total and indefinite, until government listened to them.

He pointed out that the union cannot allow the government to treat its members like slaves in their own country.

“We have spoken with the university management and appealed that they understand the position of the union, adding that the order for the strike came from the national leadership of the union.

“Immediately we receive an alert on our phones, we will resume our duties,” he said.

Arobadi, therefore, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to consider the plight of Nigerian youths, whose parents could not afford to sponsor their education abroad and look into their demands.

The SSANU and NASU embarked on a nationwide indefinite strike on Monday to demand the payment of their withheld four months’ salary. 

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