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A maritime expert, Mr. Suresh Prabhakar, has called for a practical approach to address drug trafficking in the maritime sector, citing the huge revenue loss and long detention of ships and seafarers. Prabhakar, Director of Operations at Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, Hong Kong, spoke at the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) and Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria Oron (AMANO) Conference in Lagos. He highlighted instances where the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) detained ships for months, resulting in significant costs for ship owners. Prabhakar appealed for uniformity in approaching drug trafficking cases, emphasizing the need for…

The Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) and the Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO) are joining forces to tackle the escalating threats of drug smuggling and human trafficking in the maritime domain. A conference scheduled for August 22, 2024, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, will bring together stakeholders to address these challenges and find solutions. Chaired by the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Gboyega Oyetola, the conference aims to align with critical agencies to eradicate drug and human smuggling/trafficking, penalize perpetrators, and ensure the industry's growth potentials are not…

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun 1 Command, Idiroko border, has achieved a significant increase in revenue collection, rising from N12 million to over N77 million per month. Comptroller James Ojo attributed this success to the leadership style of the Comptroller General, Adewale Adeniyi, which encourages officers to excel. Comptroller Ojo stated that the command has made significant strides in anti-smuggling activities, seizures, and revenue generation without recording any casualties. He emphasized the importance of intelligence gathering and community engagement in achieving these results. The command has also improved its relationship with the bordering communities, with Comptroller Ojo meeting with…

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reiterated its dedication to providing quality training for beneficiaries of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP). The agency's Director General, Dr. Mobereola, dismissed media reports claiming that NIMASA plans to withdraw NSDP cadets from Centurion University in India, stating that the agency is merely conducting due diligence on the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure the best interests of Nigerian students are protected. Dr. Mobereola emphasized that NIMASA is not recalling any NSDP beneficiaries from Centurion University but rather working to address gaps in the existing MoU. He cited issues…

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is set to revolutionize operations at the Onne Port Complex with the implementation of an Electronic Call-Up System, following approval from the Federal Executive Council. Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, NPA's leadership, emphasized the project's urgency during a pre-implementation visit from the system's operators, Callup Technology Services Limited and Forge Concepts Limited. The system aims to fast-track automation of truck traffic at Onne Port before the end of the quarter, in line with the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy's directive. The Managing Director stressed the importance of integrating the new system with existing and upcoming technologies,…

  Tincan Island Container Terminal ( TICT) has appointed Mr Phillips Ojo to spearhead and oversee its cooperate communications strategies and initiatives in order to boost its status as the leading terminal operator in Nigeria and position the company for its next strategic level . In this new role, he will spearhead internal and external communications, brand management, CSR and sustainability, stakeholder engagement, advertising, and social media management. Ojo is a communications professional with a background in journalism and corporate communications. He began his career as a journalist with DailySun Newspaper before joining the corporate communications department of SIFAX Group…

The Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) has shed light on the significant financial losses suffered by shipowners and importers due to prolonged drug trafficking and stowaway investigations in countries without adequate legal frameworks. According to MASPAN, ships can be detained for weeks or months during investigations, resulting in substantial losses for shipowners, which are then passed on to importers. This has led to billions of dollars in war risk charges being paid annually by importers in West African countries, including Nigeria, despite the absence of piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea in recent years. MASPAN attributes the…

The first year anniversary of Minister Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola's tenure as Minister of Marine and Blue Economy has been met with widespread disappointment and criticism from stakeholders in the maritime industry. Despite initial high hopes and expectations, the minister's performance has been deemed underwhelming, with many expressing doubts about his ability to drive growth and development in the sector. Stakeholders, including indigenous shipowners, freight forwarders, and industry experts, have lamented the lack of significant progress and innovative policies from the minister. They cited the failure to address foundational problems, such as the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), and the absence…