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

Headlines

May Day: Mobereola salutes maritime workers for passion, dedication to building virile industry

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter

The Director – General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has saluted the courage , passion and dedication of maritime workers to building strong and virile industry.

In his message at the Workers’ day on May 1st, 2026, the NIMASA DG extolled the virtues of workers and acknowledged the distinguished service of various stakeholders whose efforts he noted continue to significantly contribute to the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.

Dr. Mobereola, while wishing stakeholders a Happy Workers’ Day said “to all the amazing officers and stakeholders in the maritime sector who bring their passion and expertise to work daily.

“Thank you for your dedication and invaluable contributions”.

He emphasized that as a regulator, the Agency remains committed to its oversight function of regulating maritime labour activities in the industry in line with extant instruments and the expectations of the theme of the 2026 Workers’ Day, which focuses on safety, dignity and productivity.

Customs

Kaila, Seme Customs CAC, seeks collaboration with stakeholders to achieve seemless trade along border corridor

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The new Area Controller of the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, has reached out to traditional rulers and sister agencies at the border communities to ensure the achievement of his mandate of detection, determent of smuggling, revenue generation and trade facilitation along the border corridor.

To achieve these objectives, Comptroller Kaila went on tour of the communities within the border corridor where he met and sought for the support and cooperation of major critical stakeholders, including the traditional rulers and sister agencies.

According to him, his objective was to eradicate trade hindrances affecting free movement of goods and services along the Lagos-Abidjan business corridor.

Speaking at the Palace of Oba Akran of Badagry Kingdom, the Customs Area Controller condoled with the royal family and entire people of Badagry kingdom on the passing away of HRM De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I who was a well recognized traditional ruler across the border communities.

“”The purpose of my visit is to introduce myself as the Area Controller of Seme Command and to equally seek your royal blessing and support to achieve the core mandate of the service.

“Our priority remains to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling.

“And we in the Customs believe that without due support and co-operation from traditional rulers, we can not have effective performance of our functions as Customs officers” he said

The King Regent, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, who described Kaila as the son of the soil, added that “We have listened to your request.

” Know that Badagry is a very peaceful town, and we will keep collaborating with you in safeguarding our borders and in promoting legitimate trade, ” he stated.

Comptroller Kaila also visited the Onibereko of Ibereko Awori-Kingdom, where the monarch, Oba Israel Okoya, signifies his commitment to fostering the service relationship with residents living within the border communities

“I welcome you to Badagry and be rest assured that I will always talk to my people whenever the need is required.

” In our town, our youth does not engage in illegalities as I have no other choice than to assist you in achieving the government mandate, ” he mentioned

While at the Palace of Alapa of Apa Kingdom, the king HRM Oba Oyekan Ajose Ilufemiloye commended and described the CAC, Comptroller Kaila as a professional, seasoned and well respected officer as described by indigenes of border communities.

“I promise you that I will always assist you in my area for anything that you need.

“Our border here has been peaceful because our youth always listen to the elders, and I know with your presence here, things will change for the better, ” he said

In his efforts to consolidate on existing synergy between sister security agencies, Kaila also visited Headquarters of 653 Nigerian Air force base, Ahanve-Badagry.

The Commanding Officer, Group Captain Hungruy Medugu,expressed the readiness of the formation to always support the command in achieving its mandate.

“Our collaboration has been key to various successes we have recorded in our area of responsibility.

” Your presence here strengthens existing bonds of inter-agency collaboration between both Services, and we will not take it for granted ,” he said

The Area Controller then ended his familirisation tour with seeking for mutual cooperation with a visit to the Republic of Benin Police office, showing his readiness to eradicate hindrances affecting the free movement of goods and services across the border.

Headlines

Opeifa decries encroachment on NRC properties across the country

— praises collaboration with Abia, Enugu govts.

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has reiterated his displeasure over the widespread practice of encroachment on the properties of the Nigerian Railways Corporation across the country, warning that such action would not be tolerated by his administration.

Opeifa was speaking during the separate meetings he recently had with the governments of both Abia and Enugu states.

Represented by the Railway District Manager, Eastern District, Mr. Agwonye Francis Ejike, the NRC boss quickly condemned the occupation of the Corporation’s right- of – way by squatters in Umuahia, while correcting the wrongly- held belief that the Railway is defunct.

Opeifa however applauded the cordial and collaborative relationship between the Corporation and the governments of both Abia and Enugu.

According to him, such productive harmony can only yield even greater positive results for the benefit of the people.

During the Umuahia meeting, Dr. Opeifa strongly praised the Abia State Government for its crucial assistance in clearing the NRC’s right-of-way within Umuahia.

He reiterated unequivocally that no one is permitted to build any structure on railway property without obtaining express approval from his office.

Appealing directly to the public, he urged for greater patience, stressing that the plans for the critical track extension from Aba, through Umuahia to Enugu and beyond, remain very much on course.

Responding on behalf of the Abia State Government, Mr. Kingsley Agomoh stated that the State Government is actively engaging all stakeholders by providing alternative, seamless locations for those currently conducting business on the railway right-of-way.

He further revealed that the state government has already finalized plans to plant trees along the route, creating a leisurely and aesthetically conducive environment for relaxation, replacing previous commercial activities.

The high-powered team then embarked on an extensive inspection of the alternative relocation site for displaced persons; the demolition site where iron barrier installation is progressing; the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal; the site for the new Umuahia Railway Station; and the route for the proposed link road passing through the existing railway station.

The meeting also explored the provision of a temporary location for the Railway Police and the PTO, pending the construction of the new Umuahia Station, which is designed to include a police station and other NRC offices.

The same impactful message was delivered to Enugu State, where the Commissioner of Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozoh (representing the State Government), equally assured the NRC MD of the Enugu State Government’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with the Corporation to achieve its aims and objectives.

Describing Dr. Opeifa as a personal friend from their private sector days, Dr. Ozoh lauded him as a leader who “knows perfectly well what he is doing.”

He further assured the NRC that the Enugu State Government will actively assist in demolishing any obstruction on the Corporation’s right-of-way, stressing that the state eagerly awaits the flag-off to recommence construction of the rail line from Aba to Enugu and beyond.