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Maritime stakeholders call for State of Emergency on collapsing infrastructure at Nigerian Ports

Dr Ajani Magdalene, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation
The Eyewitness Reporter
Worried by the deteriorating state of infrastructure at most of the Nigerian Ports, especially the Tin Can Island Port, concerned stakeholders in the industry have urged the Federal government to declare a state of emergency on the infrastructural decadence at the Port.
This suggestion formed part of the communique at the just concluded strategic breakfast meeting convened by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria  (MARAN).
The meeting, which attracted government agencies such as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barge Operators Association of Nigeria ( BOAN), maritime labour union, Ship Owners and other players in the industry, was meant to discuss the infrastructural decay in the nation’s Ports with a view to proffering solutions.
However, the call for a state of emergency, declared the participants, underlines the alarming level of infrastructural decadence at the Tin can port and the need to call the urgent attention of the government to halt the frightening slide.
 “A declaration of the state of emergency at TCIP and other ports will create the sense of urgency required to address the problems at the ports” they declared.
The participants also noted that ports are vital components in the shipping business and should act as the physical interchange or middle ground for the trading community.
 They also observed that Tin Can Island Port has become a mess and disaster as a result of huge traffic amid poor port infrastructure affecting the immediate community and the entirety of Lagos.
” Federal Government will be unable to collect the projected revenue from the nation’s seaports when deteriorating port infrastructure leads to dwindling ship calls and cargo traffic.
“Besides NPA, the entire port community is affected one way or the other by the collapsing infrastructure, beginning with the terminal operators, port users and other agencies at the port.
” If Nigeria will be competitive in maritime business and attain hub port status in the West and Central African sub-region, the nation must develop port infrastructure that meets global best standards.
” Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) was on the verge of withdrawing its services from the Tin Can Island Port on account of the deplorable state of infrastructure, especially at Five Star Logistics Terminal.
” The problem of collapsing quay aprons at Tin Can Island Port is top on the NPA Infrastructural Renewal Agenda of the Authority as the port has been operating far above its as-built capacity.
” Empty containers represent a major challenge adding pressure to the already stretched port facilities.
“NPA is exploring funding options to address the collapsing quay aprons at Tin Can Island Port and other ports in the country, with emphasis on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives.
” The tariff regime of some of the government agencies are cumbersome for barge operators who earn their income in naira but are mandated to pay regulatory charges in dollars besides the N50 million bond.
“Stakeholders also expressed worry that failures of the operators in the maritime industry to adhere to international best practices puts pressure on the regulators.
“Except urgent actions are taken to provide alternative modes of cargo evacuation from the Lekki Deep Seaport, Lekki Port may become a logistics disaster worse than Apapa and Tin Can Island Port environs.
“The persistent appointment of politicians to head maritime agencies further compound the problems in the sector with poor understanding of the technicalities of the sector.
The participants at the breakfast meeting made the following recommendations
They called on the Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to appoint technocrats to lead strategic agencies in the maritime industry to guide efficient port operations.
They want an effective utilisation of the nation’s waterways for barging and river terminals that could reduce the pressure on Lagos ports leading to economic activities in other parts of the nation.
Training and manpower development according to the stakeholders will ensure skilled manpower in the Maritime sector and fast-track efficiency at the ports.
They urged port operators and other industry stakeholders to be forward-thinking and seek to proffer solutions to NPA on the port infrastructure challenges.
They believed that the issue of security threats at the Eastern ports and waterways is being exaggerated, hence, there is a need to enlighten port users on the profitability and ease of operations utilising the Eastern ports.
They advised the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to reconsider its levies on barge operators collected in dollars instead of naira as the operators collect their earnings in naira.
They recommended that Insurance guarantees and other mechanisms should be explored to replace the N50 million bond requirement for licensing barge operators in the country.
They also urged port stakeholders to avail themselves and patronise the industry port portals created by the Nigeria Shippers Council, serving as value addition mechanisms for port users.
They called for the appointment of technocrats and industry experts to lead maritime agencies to ensure persistent development of the port sector driven by quality leadership.
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Tantita intercepts stolen crude on escort of  Delta Marine Police, arrests four suspects 

Funso OLOJO 
Tantita Security Services Limited, a pipeline surveillance operations company, has intercepted a tanker vessel, MT Thor, laden with suspected stolen crude oil.
The interception, which occurred on December 15th, 2025, around the Koko–Excravos axis of Delta State, happened while the vessel was allegedly being escorted by personnel of the Police Marine Unit, Delta State, who reportedly claimed they were acting on directives from the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja.
Four suspects have been apprehended in connection with the incident and are currently facing investigation for possible prosecution.
The arrest was announced during the handover of the suspects at Koko Port in Delta State by Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSNL), a firm engaged in pipeline surveillance operations.
Speaking at the handover of the vessel and the suspects at Koko Port, Delta state, the Executive Director of Operations at Tantita, Captain Warredi Enisouh, said the suspects were apprehended with an unspecified quantity of suspected illegally sourced petroleum products aboard the vessel.
According to a situation report made available by the Special Prosecution Team (SPT) of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Product Theft, Tantita alerted the Head of Investigation of the SPT after intercepting MT Thor, which was allegedly laden with crude oil obtained through illicit means.
Preliminary investigations by law enforcement agencies revealed that the vessel, now classified as an exhibit in an ongoing criminal investigation, is linked to a jetty operated by Ebenco Global Services Limited.
Investigation officers disclosed that documents and correspondence connected to the jetty were obtained and are currently under review.
“The owner of the jetty, Mr. Ebenezer, was contacted by investigators and reportedly provided additional documents, including court orders, which are also being analysed as part of the investigation.
“On December 16, a joint investigation team led by the Head of Investigation of the SPT conducted a Joint Inspection Visit in Koko.
The team first met at Tantita’s corporate headquarters in Warri for a briefing, which was also attended by the jetty owner.
“During the inspection, investigators attempted to obtain samples from MT Thor but were unable to do so immediately as the vessel had not yet arrived at the jetty, having been towed from an earlier location by security operatives.
“While awaiting the vessel’s arrival, the team inspected other containers suspected to be carrying crude oil within the premises of Ebenco Global Links Limited, where samples were taken from a storage barge.
“MT Thor eventually berthed at about 8:30 p.m. on 16 December, prompting the joint team to adjourn sampling and other procedures until the following day.
 As of 17 December 2025, investigators were reported to be en route to Koko to continue sample collection and complete investigation formalities,” the report read.
Receiving the suspects, the Head of the Special Prosecution Team of the Inter-Agency Task Force, Omar Sini, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to dismantle crude oil theft networks in the Niger Delta, assuring that all findings would be thoroughly examined and prosecuted in line with the law.
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Mobereola, NIMASA DG, reflects on year 2025 with satisfaction, says 2026 holds promising opportunities for maritime industry 

Funso OLOJO
The Director -General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has expressed his satisfaction over the achievements recorded in the maritime industry in the outgoing year of 2025, while looking forward to a promising 2026 with hope.
In his Christmas message to the stakeholders in the maritime industry, Dr Mobereola noted that the 2026 ended well with the election of Nigeria into the category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) after 14 years of failed attempts as well as zero occurrence of piracy attacks on Nigeria’ waters.
“The year 2025 has been a good one for our industry as once again, we have not recorded a single piracy attack in our waters in a whole calendar year, Nigeria was also able to deposit three Instruments of Accession to IMO Conventions that were signed by President Bola Tinubu ,we have been able to maintain industrial harmony in the sector all of which culminated to Nigeria’s election into the category C Council of the International Maritime Organization.
“We couldn’t have done this without our stakeholders who have contributed in various ways in the course of their operations during the year. We see you, we thank you and we felicitate with your during this yuletide season”Mobereola observed.
He however assured that the Agency will re-double efforts in ensuring that 2026 is even better for every stakeholder.
While calling on industry operators to brace up for the new year with hope of better times, Dr. Mobereola noted that “at NIMASA, we appreciate the weight of our renewed responsibility by virtue of Nigeria’s membership of the IMO Council because to whom much is given, much is definitely expected.

” You can therefore be sure of an increased momentum in our resolve to sustain maritime safety, security, environmental protection and adherence to relevant conventions and protocols with renewed vigour.”

The DG concluded by acknowledging the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, industry stakeholders, management and staff of NIMASA as well as all Nigerians and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

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FG trains 75 boat operators on safe inland waterway navigation

Funso OLOJO
The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, in collaboration with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has concluded a three-day Boat Navigation and Safety Training for 75 boat drivers and skippers, as part of efforts to improve safety and professionalism on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
The training, which ran from Monday, 22, December, 2025 to Wednesday, 24 December, 2025 focused on equipping participants with the practical knowledge and operational competence required for the issuance of the Certificate in Safe Boating and Navigation.
Participants were drawn from major boating associations, including the Maritime Workers Union, the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATAN), and the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN).
 Boat operators from Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states took part in the programme.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Timothy Clement of the NIWA Lagos Area Office described the training as a significant intervention aimed at reducing accidents on inland waterways.
 He noted that many previous boat mishaps were caused by limited technical knowledge and insufficient experience among operators, adding that sustained capacity-building would help address the challenge.
Clement also highlighted ongoing safety measures being implemented by NIWA, including the removal of wrecks to improve navigation and continuous sensitisation of boat operators along major routes such as CMS, Ikorodu, Badore, Badagry and Port Novo.
According to him, NIWA has intensified awareness campaigns, moving from jetty to jetty to educate operators on safe practices, while encouraging boat owners to release more skippers and captains for structured training programmes.
“So far, so good. We thank God for the success of this three-day training for boat skippers.
“Participants came from Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, and over the past three days, they have learned a great deal,” Clement said.
“This year alone, NIWA conducted sensitisation exercises two to three times across different jetties.
“We are encouraging operators to make more of their captains and skippers available for this kind of training.
” I believe that by this time next year, we will have even more reasons to celebrate improved safety on our waterways,” he added.
Also speaking, the Lead Trainer and Consultant, Dr. Sileola Akinbowale, described the programme as a life-saving initiative designed to strengthen manpower capacity and reduce waterway accidents.
She explained that the training was structured to ensure boat operators are properly equipped with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills required to operate safely and efficiently.
 Akinbowale commended the Federal Government, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the former Managing Director of NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji, for prioritising safety and capacity development in the sector.
Assessing the programme, she rated it about 90 per cent successful, noting that it combined classroom sessions with practical exercises on the water.
“We did not limit the training to classroom lectures. Participants were taken out for practical sessions at the jetty, which made the programme very effective. It was an all-inclusive training, not just theory,” she said.
She assured that the initiative would be sustained, stressing that continuous capacity enhancement remains critical to saving lives and improving professionalism on inland waterways.
Participants expressed satisfaction with the training, describing it as timely and impactful.
A Lagos-based boat operator, Wasiu Olalekan, said the programme had strengthened participants’ ability to respond to emergencies and distress situations.
“With this training, we now know how to handle distress situations on the waterways because of the knowledge given to us. On behalf of the Lagos State participants, we appreciate the Minister and NIWA management for this opportunity,” he said.
Another participant from Ondo State, Biobaku John, said the training exposed him to critical safety and emergency response skills that would enhance his professionalism.
“I gained important safety and firefighting skills during these three days. As a boat driver, I learned a lot and I am proud to have participated,” he said.
Similarly, the leader of the Ogun State delegation, Pami Ronald, said participants were trained in boat handling, safety procedures, first aid, emergency response, engine maintenance and effective waterway transport management.
“For the past three days, we learned extensively about safety, first aid, how to raise alarms, call for rescue teams and even engine maintenance. The training was very educative,” he said.
The programme forms part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NIWA, in line with recommendations from investigation reports under the tenure of former NIWA Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, to improve safety standards, professionalism and confidence among inland waterway operators nationwide.
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