MARITIME THIS WEEK : Recap of News and Events

MONDAY DECEMBER 23, 2019

Abiodun OBA |

This medium started the week with an editorial opinion captioned “CVFF disbursement: Ending the wild goose chase”

For the beleaguered indigenous ship owners, accessing the controversial Cabotage Vessels Financing Funds (CVFF) is like a proverbial camel passing through the eye of a needle.

In actual fact, none has ever gotten close to accessing it since 2006 when it was established.

The closest any of them could get within a sniffing distance of the funds was in 2014 when about 100 indigenous operators showed interest in the loans.

Firm Hails FG Over Border Closure

Another major indigenous firm in the agricultural sector of Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Presco Plc has hailed the federal government for closing the border.

The organisation noted they’re ending 2019 business year on a happy note.

The Managing Director, Mr. Felix Nwabuko at the weekend made this known in his remarks during the firm’s end of year party hailed the closure of border by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

According to him; “Presco Plc recorded more production and sales in the outgoing year when compared to 2018”.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 24, 2019

NPA postpones payment of dockworkers’ severance package as beneficiaries bemoan poor remuneration

The payment of severance package for tally clerk and on-board security men slated for Monday, 23rd December, 2019 has been postponed till December30th Monday, 2019.

Recall that some dock workers were disengaged in 2015 by the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) following the introduction of cargo surveyors in port operations.

The disengaged workers are yet to be paid their severance packages four years after.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 25

LADOL retains ISO 45001:2018, 14001:2015 certifications

The Lagos Deep Offshore Logistic Base, LADOL has retained its International Organization for Standardization certificates in ISO 45001:2018 and 14001:2015 certification, being the first company in West and North Africa to achieve this feat.

LADOL, the Nigerian health and safety champion has continued to meet and beating international standards, which also led to the retaining of the ISO 45001:2018, 14001:2015 certifications.

This success builds on the company’s marketing leading track record in the implementation of quality, health, safety, environment and occupational health policies and procedures. LADOL’s management systems keep sustainability at its core and the Occupational Health and Safety and the Environment standards the company maintains reflect this throughout.

Expert Advises FG on CVFF Utilisation

Engr.-Emmanuel-Ilori-| Nigeriamaritime360

A Marine Expert, Engineer Emmanuel Ilori, has advised the federal government on the need not to disburse the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) to indigenous shipowners but instead use it to build a maritime development bank.

He noted the fund would not give the expected value if disbursed as promised by the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi come January 2020.

Ilori explained further that disbursing to individuals would barely purchase a reasonable number of vessels and argued about who would be considered or not.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 26, 2019

Tanker Foils Pirate Attack off Brass

Pirates attempt to attack a tanker off Brass, Bayelsa State this week, was foiled by a Turkish Suezmax tanker Istanbul.

The pirate attacked the tanker while sailing some 180 nautical miles southwest of Brass, Nigeria.

The ship, according to a statement obtained online was approached by a high-speed craft with 9 armed men aboard trying to board the vessel.

The report stated the tanker conducted evasive manoeuvres and following two failed attempts, the pirates withdrew to a mothership vessel.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 27, 2019

DPR seals 17 Filling Stations

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Gombe State has sealed 6 fuel stations due to sharp practices.

The stations were sealed on Wednesday for diverting over 800,000 litres of petroleum product and operating with expired license.

The Head of Operation, DPR, Alhaji Abdullahi Abawa made this known shortly after an inspection visit to some filling stations in Gombe.

He stated that the number of filling stations shut down so far in Gombe has risen to 17.

Tanker with PMS crashes on Lagos-Ibadan expressway

Motorists going to Ibadan from Lagos have been advised to take alternate corridors to avoid gridlock as a tanker laden with 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) crashed around RCCG Car Park C, near Mowe, on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Mr Clement Oladele, Ogun Sector Commander of FRSC, said that the accident happened at about 4.48 am.

Oladele advised the travellers going to distant places to seek alternative routes away from the Lagos-Ibadan expressway via the long bridge to Mowe.

Border Closure: Customs Generates N144bn As Vehicle Import Increases

The Ports Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of Nigeria Customs Service has collected a total of N144billion between January and November 2019, surpassing its 2019 target of N123B ahead of December collections.

The recorded collection has also surpassed N109,623,404,403 that was collected within same period of 2018 with a value increase of N34,000,489,882 which represents 31% increase

The increase in revenue is attributable to rising cargo throughput in the command noted for Roll On Roll Off (RoRo) consignments, border closure that suppressed smuggling and increased vehicle importation to the seaport, sustained due diligence and trade facilitation by the Customs Area Controller, Mrs. Florence Olasunmbo Dixon; commitment to duty by our officers and increasing level of compliance by most vehicle importers using the port.