Headlines

Global West staff threaten to picket NIMASA over unpaid salaries

Bashir Jamoh, NIMASA DG

Eyewitness reporter

The aggrieved 350 seafarers and staff of Global West Specialist Limited have vowed to march on the headquarters of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) over the refusal of the agency to validate the contract of the company and pay the backlog of salaries owed the workers.

In an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, a copy of which was sighted by our correspondent, the staff, who are apparently despondent and aggrieved, said they would make good their threat if, by September 30th, 2021, the President does not intervene and prevail on NIMASA to remedy the situation.

It would be recalled that Global West Specialist Limited, said to belong to the former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo otherwise known as Tompolo, was engaged by NIMASA under the administration of the then DG, Dr Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi, to provide platforms for the agency in its quest to secure the nation’s waters.

However, the contract said to be worth billions of Naira, was terminated in 2015 when Buhari, on resumption of office as the President, directed NIMASA to stop further payment to Global West.

But the staff of the company, in the petition signed by one Samson Owolo, claimed that the matter was taken to court and resolved in favour of the company.

The petitioners however alleged that the Federal government has refused to obey the court order which reinstated the contract, a situation which they said has resulted in the non-payment of the backlog of their salaries and the death of some of them.

The petition reads thus:

“Dear President, this letter is coming from (three hundred and fifty) 350 seafarers and staff of Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, the major contractors to NIMASA.

“Dear President, sometime in June 2015 you ordered NIMASA to stop payment to Global West Vessel Specialist until the investigation from the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) is over.

“An order that place more than (three hundred and fifty) 350 seafarers to the labour markets was a terrible experience for good 5-6 yrs 2015 -2021.

” Workers’ salaries have been held down by the government that lead (sic) to the loss of lives of many seafarers working with Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd.

“Our kids were (are) out of school because there is no more money to pay for their school fees, we the staff of Global West Vessel Specialist as law-abiding citizens we (have) waited patiently from 2015 -2020 June 15th after the court case was over between Global West Vessel Specialist and the EFCC.

“We are in 2021 now; we are yet to receive our salaries. According to our management, the government is yet to approve the money to Global West Vessel Specialist, for the past one year and seven months now.

“We are still waiting for the government to approve payment to the Global West Vessel Specialist.

“How long more are the workers going to wait for their salaries? Staff are dying because of the hardship in the country, our families are suffering; what sin did we commit that deserves this kind of punishment from the government?

“Even after we have won the case in the court, someone in the government still decided to punish innocent staff that have laboured for the betterment of this country by forcefully refusing to approve the payment to Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd.

” Even with all the efforts from Global West to make the government see reasons, the government keeps making it more difficult for Global West Vessel Specialist to receive their payment.

“We the staff say enough is enough; we can’t keep quiet and keep dying one after the other. We don’t know who is next in line.

“We are coming out in mass(sic) to protest, a peaceful protest, to NIMASA headquarters at 4 Burma Road, Apapa on the 30th September 2021”, the workers declared in the petition

Customs

Tinubu celebrates Adeniyi on his 59th birthday

–lists his achievements

Funso OLOJO

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has joined millions of well wishers across the globe to celebrate Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi as he turns 59 years on Sunday, January 19th, 2025.

In his birthday message made available through his Special Adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu lauded the innovative and inspiring leadership of Adeniyi which he noted has impacted greatly on the image and performance of the service.

While listing the achievements of the customs in terms of revenue generation, trade facilitation, automation and digitization of the service, anti- smuggling activities as well as bolstered staff morale under the dexterious guidance of Adeniyi, President Tinubu wished him divine wisdom, robust health, and continued strength as he serves the nation.

“Under his guidance, the agency has witnessed significant progress through the steady digitalisation and automation of its operations, a renewed commitment to professionalism, and an uplift in officers’ morale, enhancing high performance.

“His leadership has enabled the NCS to surpass revenue targets substantially and bolstered trade facilitation, yielding widespread positive effects on the national economy.

“President Tinubu applauds the innovative anti-smuggling strategies initiated by the Customs Chief.

“These strategies encompass equipping the youth with new skills for alternative livelihood opportunities, fostering engagements with traditional institutions, and nurturing a culture of effective communication and mutual respect.

“The President recognises the Comptroller-General’s other notable achievements, including the remarkable seizures of arms and ammunition and the revitalisation of the Comptroller-General’s Annual Conference, which aims to assess and enhance the agency’s operations.

“President Tinubu affirms that Adeniyi’s extensive experience of over 30 years in service and adaptability to change has greatly enriched the Customs Service.

“The President offers prayers for divine wisdom, robust health, and continued strength for Comptroller-General Adeniyi as he serves the nation.

Headlines

EFCC discovers Yahoo training school in Benin city

-arrests 25 students undergoing training in cybercrimes

Funso OLOJO

The operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has on Thursday January 16th, 2025, uncovered a Yahoo academy in Benin city, Edo State, where young Nigerians are undergoing training in the act of internet fraud.

During the raid, the anti- graft agency arrested 25 suspected internet fraudsters in the cybercrimes training centre

The suspects’ arrest at their hideout was triggered by credible intelligence that indicated the apartment being used as a yahoo academy or training school for internet-related fraud and other fraudulent activities.

Items recovered from the suspects include six exotic cars, laptops and phones.

The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Customs

Onyeka, Tin Can CAC, set to pursue revenue generation aggressively

— vows to surpass 1 trillion naira revenue record

Funso OLOJO

The Area Controller of the Tin Can island command of the Nigeria customs service, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, has set an ambitious goal of meeting and surpassing the one trillion naira revenue mark achieved last year by his predecessor, ACG Dera Nnadi.

It would be recalled that the command was given a revenue target of N1.4 trillion in 2024 while it realized a little about N1.226 trillion ,an unprecedented record that was never achieved in the history of the command.

Meanwhile, Comptroller Onyeka, has vowed to sustain the revenue momentum as he would aggressively pursue revenue collection.

Speaking while playing host to the Executive council of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria(MARAN) which paid him a courtesy visit in his office on Friday, January 17th, 2025, the Customs chief disclosed his strategy to carry out his assignment.

According to him, he would facilitate legitimate trade, ensure 100 percent examination of all imports while he would energise his men and officers to key into his vision.

“I’ll facilitate trade, but it has to be legitimate trade. That’s what I feel I should do in the strict sense.

“You know, I’m coming from the aspect of revenue. So, it is my prayer and my hope to meet my target and surpass it.

“But principally, what I am going to fight is the ability to do this job without examination.

“I have appealed to my officers, whatever it is they have to do, let them see the containers, once we’ve examined them, everything should be on cruise control because if you examine, you’ll now know if it’s supposed to go out or not.

“I’ve involved Customs Intelligence Unit, CIU, I’ve involved Valuation Unit, I’ve spoken to all relevant Units and it’s my prayer, by the grace of God, that all of us will be on the same page to make sure that the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is brought to fruition” he noted.

He was full of gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi , for the confidence reposed in him and vowed never to disappoint him.

“I also appreciate the fact that our indefatigable Comptroller General Of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi to whom I’m very grateful.

“He needs to be made to know that he didn’t make any mistake for him to have brought me here.

“I am very grateful to him and his management team, and I need to make him proud” he enthused.

Comptroller Onyeka also vowed to build on the foundation that has been laid by his predecessor, Assistant Comptroller General Dera Nnadi.

“In anti-smuggling, he did well. In revenue generation, he did superbly well, same goes for infrastructure development.

“His Public Relations was top-notch, which I’m going to leverage.

“He was fortunate to have what I consider a very fantastic rapport with the media because that’s his background. I intend to leverage that. I intend to do better in that aspect” he added.

Earlier, in his address, the President of MARAN, Mr Godfrey Bivbere expressed the willingness of the association to partner with the CAC and the Command to achieve the target ahead of the command.

He reiterated the firm resolution of the association to accord Comptroller Onyeka the same support accorded to his predecessor.