Headlines

Maritime agencies groan under delayed release of 2024 sectoral budget

Adegboyega Oyetola,Minister of Marine and Blue Economy

–-accuse National Assembly of complicity

— We have passed, released budget— N/A fires back

—Marine and Blue economy ministry keeps mum

Funso OLOJO

The alleged delayed release of the maritime industry sectoral budget has become a subject of speculation and ding-dong affairs between the agencies in the sector and the National Assembly.

Sources close to some of these agencies have claimed that their 2024 sectoral budget has not been released by the National Assembly seven months into the year.

A concerned source close to one of the affected agencies, who pleaded for anonymity for fear of reprisal, confided in our reporter that the 2024 sectoral budget for his agency is yet to be passed and released by the National Assembly, a claim which a source close to the Assembly has denied.

“This was despite our budget presentation and defence at the twilight of 2023” a source close to one of the affected agencies disclosed.

The source accused the members of the House Committees of the Senate on Marine Transport and the House Committees on Ports and Harbour, Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Inland Waterways and Shipping Services of complicity in the delayed release of the budget.

The source alleged that due to the refusal of some of the agencies to accede to what he claimed has become a practice of budget padding, their budgets are delayed.

” During last administration, budgets were quickly passed and released because the agencies consented to budget padding”

” For instance, if an agency proposed a budget of N100m, it could be padded with an additional 30 million which would be taken upfront for the budget to be quickly passed and released” the source alleged.

The source however claimed that under the present government, everyone was being cautious as nobody wanted to go to jail.

” Under the present dispensation, nobody wants to go to jail hence the refusal to consent to budget padding which may have resulted in the delay” the source further alleged.

The source further declared that the delayed release of the budget has hampered the operations of these agencies as they could not embark on critical infrastructural and operational projects.

” We are only allowed to spend between 20 percent to 25 percent of the proposed budgets before they are passed”

” And these are used to pay salaries and other overhead costs”

” If you embark on any project outside the discretionary percentage of your budget as critical expenses, you will go to jail, so this has hamstrung the agencies’ Heads from embarking on major operational projects” the source alleged.

However, National Assembly sources who spoke to our reporter on strict instruction for anonymity faulted the claims of the agencies.

” These are a pack of lies” one of the sources countered.

” It is not true that the National Assembly is holding on to the budget of the agencies nor engages in budget padding.

” Which of the agencies are you talking about?

” Is it NPA, NIMASA, Shippers Council , MAN, Oron, or NIWA?

” Their budgets have been passed”, the source claimed, and went on to explain the principles governing budget consideration, passage, and transmission.

“A budget runs a 12-month cycle.

” The recurring expenditures such as salaries and other overhead costs start from January to January.

“But the budget proper doesn’t start in January but from around June to June, each year.

“To take care of exigencies that may disrupt the 12-month cycle period of budget implementation, the National Assembly usually extends the implementation of previous budgets like the 2023 budget, to December.

” When you run a budget late, you cannot shut down the old one completely.

” Constitution allows you to spend existing sub-head up till half of the year.

” I believe their budget is ready.

”The National Assembly extended the implementation of the 2023 budget till December because they have not finished its implementation, so nothing is crippled as they claimed.

” There are certain things that are automatic. The salaries and other overhead costs are automatic.

” It is only new projects they are not allowed to dabble into before the current budget is passed and released.

” This will allow them to complete the existing projects they have been committed to before they undertake new ones”

The highly placed National Assembly source insisted that the sectoral budget of the maritime agencies has been passed and said if they haven’t got them, it was probably because the documents are in the middle of conveyance.

The source claimed that the budget is no longer transmitted directly to the agencies as was the case before but through their parent ministry, which is the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy which in turn transmits it to the Ministry of Finance where the government will deduct at source 50 percent of the budget before the balance is transmitted to the respective agencies.

” Remember, as contained in the 2024 Finance Act, the Federal government deducts at source 50 percent of the value of budgetary allocations to all the self-funding agencies and parastatals before the balance is remitted”

” Now that the Federal government has taken over the receipt of their money and deducts 50 percent before remittance to them, sometimes it may be delayed before remittance is done to the agencies.

The source said this may have led to their present financial crunch which they should not blame on the National Assembly.

” At no point in time did the agencies have no budgetary allocations.

” If they are complaining about lack of adequate funds, that is a different thing entirely.

” They should not hold the National Assembly responsible for their present financial predicament”

The source accused those peddling the allegation of an attempt to give the National Assembly a bad name.

“What I know and can confirm to you is that their budgets are no longer with the National Assembly.

According to the source, MAN Oron got its budget about two months ago.

The same thing goes for Nigerian Shippers’Council and NIWA.

” If there is still any other agency which has not received its own, it may probably be with the Ministry of Marine and Blue economy for necessary scrutiny or within the conveyance process”

The source said that the NPA has a peculiar case because the new MD has just resumed and could not be allowed to start spending money without studying the situation he met on the ground.

” Even, the NPA which has a peculiar case cannot complain of budget delay because they got virement.

” Not only that, the period of its budget implementation was extended.

” It was supplemented around February or March 2024 when the agency got additional budgetary allocation”

” National Assembly has no hand in the delay budget release or withholding or inadequate funds they may be facing and I challenge anyone with contrary position” the source declared.

Meanwhile, the efforts of our reporter to get the position of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy on the sectoral budget controversy met hostile reactions.

It would be recalled that in December 2023, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, presented N10.9billion budget to the joint House committees on Marine Transport and the House of Representatives committees on Ports and Harbour, Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Inland waterways and Shipping Services.

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Headlines

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.

Headlines

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.

Headlines

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.