Headlines
Maritime agencies groan under delayed release of 2024 sectoral budget
–-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.
Customs
KLT Customs reaffirms commitment to stronger maritime stakeholder engagement
Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter
The Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Adigun, has reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to deepening engagement with stakeholders across the maritime industry in line with efforts to promote trade facilitation, transparency, and sustainable economic growth.
Adigun gave the assurance through the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Administration, Comptroller T.A. Jonah, who represented him during a courtesy visit by the newly elected Executive Committee of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) to the Command in Lagos.
The Acting CAC, who was unavoidably absent, underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and key industry stakeholders, particularly the maritime media, in advancing the Service’s mandate and supporting national economic development.
He described the media as a critical partner in disseminating information on government policies, customs reforms, trade facilitation initiatives, revenue generation, and anti-smuggling operations.
According to him, maritime journalists occupy a strategic position in shaping public understanding and perception of activities within the port and maritime sector, stressing the need for professionalism, accuracy, and balanced reportage in the discharge of their duties.
Adigun further assured the MARAN delegation that the KLT Area Command would continue to operate an open-door policy while fostering cordial and productive relationships with stakeholders within the maritime community.
Earlier in his remarks, the President of MARAN, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, stated that the visit formed part of the association’s ongoing stakeholder engagement initiative following the inauguration of its newly elected executive committee.
Onigbinde explained that the purpose of the visit was to formally introduce the new leadership of the association to the Command and strengthen the longstanding relationship between MARAN and the Nigeria Customs Service.
He commended the KLT Area Command for its contributions to trade facilitation, revenue generation, and enforcement activities, describing the Command as a vital component of Customs operations within Nigeria’s port system.
The MARAN President also reaffirmed the association’s commitment to professional, objective, and development-driven journalism, noting that maritime reporters play a significant role in promoting informed discourse on issues affecting the industry.
He further assured the Command of MARAN’s continued support for initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness within Nigeria’s maritime sector through responsible and factual reporting.
Headlines
One infant, three adults die, several others sustain injuries in fatal train derailment along Warri- Itakpe route
Funso OLOJO, Editor
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed the death of four passengers in a train derailment along the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor near Agbor, Delta State on Monday, June 8th, 2026.
Several others suffered various degrees of injuries.
In a statement by the Ministry of Transportation and signed by its Permanent Secretary, Engr. Funsho Adebiyi, the victims included two female adults, one male adult and one infant.
The accident involved four coaches which reportedly capsized while one coach derailed, resulting in the unfortunate loss of four lives.
The statement confirmed that a total of 442 passengers were booked on the train, while 40 crew members, security personnel, and third-party service providers were also on board, bringing the total number of persons on the train to 482.
The NRC had activated immediate rescue and evacuation operations with the support of the Delta State Government, NEMA, FRSC, the Police, Civil Defence, local authorities, security agencies, and other emergency responders, and were completed by 6:30 p.m on Monday .
The Injured passengers were evacuated to medical facilities in Agbor for treatment.
Other notable individuals on board included the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, and former Delta State Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Patrick Ukah, among others.
As of the time of this release, 24 serious injuries have been recorded, while several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and are receiving medical attention.
One NRC staff member suffered a traumatic limb injury and is currently receiving treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.
“The Ministry and the NRC extend their deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and pray for the quick recovery of all those injured.
“The Corporation also appreciates the swift intervention of the Delta State Government, emergency responders, security agencies, the NRC Mechanical Directorate, the Special Rescue and Emergency Team, medical personnel, and members of the public who assisted in the rescue efforts” the statement declared.
The ministry said full onboard manifest has been retrieved and will be made available upon request by the relevant authorities while efforts are ongoing to identify all the injured and deceased persons for proper documentation.
The Ministry in conjunction with the NRC have commenced a full investigation into the cause of the accident while efforts will continue to account for all passengers and provide the necessary support to those affected.
Commentaries
Why Nigeria must prioritize competency development and standards to harness gains of blue economy
Funso OLOJO, Editor
Nigeria is endowed with vast maritime resources which offer enormous opportunities for economic growth, employment generation, food security, and environmental sustainability.
With its fabled over 850 kilometers of coastline, extensive inland waterways, and strategic access to the Gulf of Guinea, the country is naturally blessed to emerge as a hub for maritime activities in Africa.
However , taking advantage of these huge massive maritime opportunities should be the priority of Nigerian government which must be intentional on developing competency level of its Maritime professionals and raise their
adherence to international standards.
The blue economy encompasses diverse sectors including shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, marine tourism, offshore energy, maritime logistics, shipbuilding, and marine environmental management.
These sectors are highly knowledge-driven and require a workforce equipped with specialized skills and globally recognized certifications.
Without competent professionals, Nigeria risks losing economic opportunities to countries with better-trained maritime personnel and stronger institutional frameworks.
Competency development is essential for enhancing productivity, safety, and operational efficiency across the maritime sector.
Skilled seafarers, marine engineers, port operators, logistics professionals, and environmental experts are critical to ensuring that maritime activities meet international best practices.
As global shipping and offshore industries become increasingly technology-driven, continuous training and capacity building are necessary to keep Nigerian professionals competitive in the international labour market.
Skilled maritime professionals such as seafarers, marine engineers and allied personnel in the sector could be sources of foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria as they could be exported to the international community.
Philippines and India are the world’s top exporters of skilled maritime personnel such as seafarers where they get the chunk of their foreign exchange.
If Nigeria could develop such capacity in skilled labourers in the sector and export their expertise, the country could harvest bountifully from such venture.
Equally important is the adoption and enforcement of internationally recognized standards.
Standards provide the framework for quality assurance, safety management, environmental protection, and operational excellence.
Compliance with global maritime standards established by organizations such as the International Maritime Organization(IMO) and the Nautical Institute enhances Nigeria’s credibility as a maritime nation and attracts foreign investment.
Investors and international partners are more likely to engage with institutions and businesses that demonstrate compliance with recognized benchmarks.
That is why the recent certification of the Maritime Centre of Excellence operated by NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited by the UK Nautical Institute is germaine to Nigeria’s quest to develop training capacity and build compliance with standard procedures
This feat also underscores the importance of world-class training institutions in building local capacity.
That is why the government should give necessary assistance to training institutions in Nigeria such as Maritime Academy of Nigeria(MAN), Oron and the Maritime Centre of Excellence operated by NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited.
Such government patronage and assistance will not only improve the quality of maritime training in Nigeria but also position the country as a regional centre for maritime education and professional development.
Prioritizing competency development and standards will also contribute significantly to maritime safety and environmental sustainability.
Well-trained personnel are better equipped to prevent accidents, manage maritime risks, and respond effectively to emergencies.
Furthermore, adherence to environmental standards helps reduce marine pollution, protect biodiversity, and ensure the sustainable utilization of ocean resources, which are fundamental pillars of the blue economy.
From an economic perspective, a competent workforce and strong standards framework can increase Nigeria’s participation in global maritime trade, create high-value jobs, reduce dependence on foreign expertise, and improve the country’s competitiveness.
It also supports local content development by enabling Nigerian professionals and companies to meet the requirements of international contracts and projects.
In conclusion, competency development and standards are not optional components of Nigeria’s blue economy strategy; they are foundational requirements for its success.
By investing in human capital, strengthening training institutions, and enforcing internationally accepted standards, Nigeria can fully harness the immense potential of its maritime resources and transform the blue economy into a major driver of national development, economic diversification, and sustainable growth.
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