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ONNE: Ghana visits, lauds NPA, Intels on Ports infrastructure

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ONNE: Ghana visits, lauds NPA, Intels on Ports infrastructure

… Invites Intels to replicate same in Ghana***

In spite of the intimidating odds against the Intels Logistics Services, a special delegation from Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority has openly commended it, over what it noted as it’s impressive facilities and terminals at the Onne Ports.

The commendation which was delivered by a Special delegation from Ghana came, at the end of its one-day visit, to Onne Port, during which they also praised the Onne Ports management for its dedicated Commitment to the growth of ports, along best global standard.

The delegation was led by Captain Ebenezer Afadzi, the Director of Port of Tekoradi, Ghana; and the two major Terminals were: Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT) and Federal Lighter Terminal (FLT) in Onne, Rivers State.

In a welcome speech, Onne Port Manager, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho said the port was under direct instruction, to roll out the red carpet, at Onne Port, particularly all that would guarantee the actual success of the visit.

The Onne Port Manager highlighted that Onne Port accommodates four major ‘Terminal Operators’, who are also concessionaires; and identified them as the Intels Logistics Services, Brawal Oil Services, West African Container Terminal and ICTNL.

He also said there were other operators in the oil and gas sector, which includes West African Ventures (WAV), INDORAMA, Dangote etc.

The Port Manager equally remarked that Intels contributes positively to the development of the maritime activities in the country, noting that they enter into concession agreement for 25 years with the company, which allows them to develop the facility, and operate same, though with options to review the agreement at the end of 25 years.

He explained that the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), at Bonny constitutes another huge revenue earner for NPA and Federal Government (FG).

Also read: NBS, NPA sign MoU on data collection, analytics at ports

“Onne Port is the most modern port.  Intels came in 1988, while other concessionaire came in from the year 2006”, he observed, adding that he had  visited ports in Ghana, and commended them for the visit, while assuring them that they will get better insight when they arrive Intels Terminal on facility tour.

In his response, Captain Ebenezer Kojo Afadzi, Director Port of Takoradi, Ghana thanks NPA for the honour accorded them.  He said that Nigeria is Ghana’s big brother, because they have a lot they share in common.

“We are here because Nigeria is our big brother. We need help from Nigeria to grow our maritime and shipping sector. And we are here to learn a lot from your port and to see things for ourselves in Onne Port”, Capt. Kojo Afadzi said.

He Specifically stressed that their coming was to learn what had made Onne Port thick; and requested to get more clarifications on the operations of service boats and container vessels and how they help NPA to generate more revenue.

Among delegation from Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority who visited NPA Onne Port Complex Administrative building at FLT, includes Peter Ambo – Dediallo Public Affairs Manager Gnana’s Port of Takoradi,  Samuel Neto – Kummi, John Atsu Dzere and Fortune Agbodia.

Others were Deacon Douglas Oppong, Shirly Braimoh and Divine Tamaklee, amongst others.

The Onne Ports later presented  NPA Plague to the leader of the delegation from Ghana Ports and Harbours, Capt. Ebenezer Afadzi.

Meanwhile, Ghana Port and Harbours Authority delegation also in the company of Onne Port Manager and some of his Exco also visited Intels Logistics Services facilities at Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT), Onne Port.

Receiving the Ghanaian delegation, the Managing Director of Intels,  Mr Paskal Fiori who welcomed them, to Intels Headquarters, FOT, Onne, saying his organisation is a leading logistics services organization, and observed that they are a major concessionaire.

“On behalf of the Board of Intels, I welcome our guests from Ghana. We are leading Logistics organization and we offer ‘one–stop shop services to our valued clients”, Intels CEO remarked.

Mr Fiori said they had the best policies on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), to their host communities of Onne and Ogu, including well-packaged policies on health, safety and environment, in their areas of operations.

In his response, the Ghanaian delegation leader thanked the Intels for their contributions to global maritime sector, and described the facilities as good and truly amazing.

Pointedly, he expressed hope for similar facilities to be replicated in Ghana.

In a brief interview, Mr Peter AMBO –  Deediallo, Public Affairs Manager, of Port Of Takoradi, Ghana said they were grateful for NPA, Intels’ hospitality, particularly the access to their port facilities.

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NAMTOP: LASTMA Urges Maritime Truck Drivers To Tackle Breakdowns

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More Trouble for Sanwo-Olu: Election Tribunal orders substituted service over Petition

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has urged the Nexus Association of Maritime Truck Operators (NAMTOP) to acquire private tow trucks to tackle breakdowns swiftly.

The General Manager, LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said this when NAMTOP officials paid the agency’s management a courtesy visit on Tuesday in Lagos.

Bakare-Oki said the aim was to foster synergy and cooperation between the two agencies.

The LASTMA GM, represented by the Director of Logistics and Engineering, Mr Jubril Oshodi, assured the association of a harmonious relationship.

“This will enable the association to liaise with all zonal heads to ensure swift evacuation of trucks whenever breakdowns occur,” he said.

The LASTMA boss said his tenure would centre on repositioning and reorganising the agency for professional service delivery to the motoring public with empathy.

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Oyetola Inaugurates 4.8km Road, Mooring Boats At Onne

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…Says the road symbolizes the Ministry’s commitment to make the port more viable

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola on Tuesday, inaugurated a 4.8km road “D” project and six mooring boats at the Onne Port Complex, Port Harcourt, stressing that the road, constructed by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), was a demonstration of the ministry’s commitment to make the port more viable.

He said that the project was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to maximize opportunities within the maritime sector.

”This is part of the measures we are taking to enhance the ease of doing business in Onne Port

”The ministry is committed to leverage Nigeria’s maritime resources under the directives of the president,” he said.

The minister said that the mooring boats would enhance boat safety and general security within the maritime space.

Oyetola said that the Federal Government was committed towards deepening the efficiencies and full capacity utilisation of the ports in the eastern axis.

‘We are now poised more than ever to give the NPA all the support to address factors responsible for the under-utilisation of these national assets,” he said.

The minister stated that by providing port infrastructure, investor confidence would be deepened for more patronage of the eastern ports.

”I was delighted to learn that the Onne and Calabar Port complexes have met the requirements of the International Organisation for Standardisation and are now certified.

Bello-Koko Lauds MWUN for Ensuring NPA Staff's Salary Increase

The NPA Managing Director, Muhammed Bello-Koko

”This shows they we are doing something right but we cannot rest on this determination until all other ports are certified.

”I have been briefed on the growth in numbers especially for exports emanating from Onne Port Complex, and I am impressed.

”I am poised to provide the facilitation and advocacy required to grow the vessel traffic to this important nucleus of growth,” he said.

Oyetola stated that more economic growth would be achieved if more investments were done in port infrastructure.

The minister commended the management of NPA for being prudent with the application of resources that financed the project.

Oyetola reiterated his commitment to grant prompt approvals to initiatives that would enable continuous improvement in the performance of the ports.

In his speech, the Managing Director, NPA, Mohammed BelIo-Koko, thanked the minister for his support to the authority.

He said that the road and mooring-boat projects could only be completed because of the support from the ministry.

Bello-Koko said that the completion of the Road “D” project which linked Berths 9, 10, 11 and 12 at Federal Ocean Terminal would help to grow new business opportunities and increase revenue for the nation.

”This road stretches over a total of 4.8km, covering two container terminals. It will cater for no fewer than 1,000 trucks daily.

”This is a testimony that as an authority, we are repositioning for growth, competitiveness and, future-readiness.

”The road has a 250mm thickness concrete reinforcement provided for a median and side drain with high mast tower Lighting of dual carriageway.

”We are aware that a good road infrastructure requires sound marine craft and equipment, so we added six modern mooring boats to enhance habour operations efficiency,” he said.

Bello-Koko solicited the ministry’s support for concrete fencing of the stretch of land in the port to guard against any unauthorised access.

”This will also enhance the security of the investments that will spring up with the opening of this road.

The managing director commended the concessionaires for their huge investments, describing it as indicative of their confidence in the system.

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Environmental Stewardship: Maritime Experts Appraise Industry, Deep Blue Project

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…As OAF Boss, Olaitan Williams harps on the need to further protect the Planet 

She has a vision: refocusing the youths, particularly the Nigerian girl into the nation’s maritime industry. Her modus operandi is simple: encouraging, motivating and redirecting every pupil and student’s interest towards productive pursuits in marine terrain.

She is probably today, Nigeria’s most consistent and committed promoter of youths’ education in the marine and blue economy.

The Chief Executive Officer of Ocean Ambassadors Foundation OAF, Mrs. Violet Olaitan Williams does not need much introduction in terms of her relevance and mindset for creating the desired conditions for mental and attitudinal development of the Nigerian child, particularly in Lagos State.

Lieutenant Commodore A.A Makinwa

Several times, she has ‘dragged’ students of several secondary schools in Lagos, for a day-out at Sea. 

OAF, redirecting students’ interest into the maritime terrain, at an early age…

During such periods, the lucky beneficiaries were sufficiently exposed, to jobs in the marine and blue economy sector; as well as the vital courses to pursue, in order to realise such dreams.

Only recently, she selflessly embarked on a costly documentary to meaningfully draw attention to EHINGBETI, the nucleus of the Lagos relevance as Nigeria’s most celebrated litoral state, stressing the need to regenerate Nigeria, from the symbolic lessons of its origin.

Though finally depleted and sapped at the end of the costly project, Olaitan Williams remained undaunted in her commitment to the promotion of a cause she truly believed in.

It is like, having lived her childhood days beside the shores of Lagos, she had prudently identified areas she is convinced, early and right exposures of the youths, could transform many of them, tomorrow, into job creators.

Only last week, the OAF Boss again assembled some experts to a ‘Blue Talents Career Talk’ in Lagos, to educate, impact and, enlighten students of several secondary schools, on the importance of the Ocean, the Marine and the Blue economy; the current Government’s efforts at harnessing it’s economic endowment, as well as the need to more properly, protect it.

Students learn better, by seeing it as it is…

Speaking at the occasion, a top naval officer, Lieutenant Commodore A.A Makinwa stressed the need for maritime industry Stakeholders to commend the Federal Government for initiating the Integrated National Security and Waterways Infrastructure, otherwise known as ‘the Deep Blue Project’. 

Lieutenant Commodore A.A Makinwa of the Nigerian Navy who made the call at the Blue Talents Career Talk in Lagos said the Deep Blue Project is such that accommodates almost every maritime security architecture such as NIMASA, NPA, DSS and, even the Marine Police. 

The Ocean Ambassadors Foundation CEO, Violet Olaitan Williams

According to him, “it is whole of the nation’s business and not just limited to the Nigeria Army, Navy or Airforce alone”. 

He mentioned different security agencies, identified their relevance in the security and safety web; and lauded them for the safety of the communities.

In his remark, the Guest Speaker, Engr. Jamiu Badmos while admonishing maritime security personnel not to rest on their oars also said: “You play a lot of roles in the saving of lives of the people and that is why security and safety have links.

“In security, you protect the vessel from any external aggression and the people inside the vessel but in safety, you look more on the people inside the vessel and how to protect them” Badmos stressed. 

Earlier in her speech, Violet Olaitan Williams while welcoming participants at the well-attended event, stated that “by embracing a culture of Safety, Responsibility and Environmental stewardship, you can also ensure a brighter future for the planet and all who call it home!”. 

ALSO READ: BLUE Economy: Synergise With FME, Create Future for Girl Child, Informed Delegates urge Oyetola

The topic for this year’s Blue Talents Career Talk organized by Ocean Ambassadors Foundation was “An Overview of Safety and Security in the Maritime and Blue Economy” with a special focus on goals 3, 8, 14; and 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

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