Headlines

ill-fated boat in Niger state on illegal operation—- NIWA

Bola Oyebamiji, NIWA MD

— deploys more river marshalls on 24-hour surveillance as rescue efforts continue

Funso OLOJO

More bodies are being recovered from the Gbajibo River, Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State after a wooden boat carrying 300 passengers capsized on Tuesday night of October 1st, 2024.

As of yesterday, the water marshalls of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) with the collaboration of the Nigeria state’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and local divers have recovered 70 bodies, rescued 150 persons while the search for remaining missing passengers was still ongoing.

However, Mrs. Sarat Braimah, the Lagos Area Manager of NIWA has accused the operators of the ill-fated boat of illegal operations as they sailed at 8: 30 pm which was against the water transportation code which has outlawed night sailing.

Mrs. Braimah, who absolved NIWA of complicity in the tragic incident following a public outrage over what was described as the negligence of the Authority, disclosed that the four water marshalls deployed to the Gbajibo River where the incident occurred had already closed from duty for the day and left the jetty at 8 pm while the boat loaded at 8: 30 pm.

The NIWA Area Manager however said the Marshalls went to the other side of the jetty while the ill-fated boat was loading without their knowledge.

Meanwhile, NIWA has attributed the unfortunate incident to flagrant disregard for transportation code by the boat operators such as overloading( the wooden boat carried 300 passengers), use of sub- standard boat which is a wooden carved boat without necessary navigational aids, lack of wearing of safety vests and night sailing which has been banned.

As a result of this incident, Mrs. Braimah disclosed that more water marshalls will be deployed to Niger state and other northern states where night sailing is prevalent for 24-hour surveillance.

“NIWA just constituted river marshalls who were posted to every state and Niger state in particular has 24 water marshalls while in Mokwa Local government Area where the incident happened, they have four Marshalls.” the NIWA Area Manager disclosed.

She lamented the prevalence of night sailing in the North despite its ban which she said was a major challenge for NIWA.

” NIWA will now make it 24-hour surveillance on waterways in that area in order to prevent reoccurrence” stated Mrs Braimah.

According to her, the recently gazetted transportation code launched by NIWA and cascaded to every state contains penalties for infractions of safety standards.

” Last month, NIWA was everywhere on sensitization of the revering public on this code. But, unfortunately, this tragic incident happened.

” From now on, night sailing is our target. We are going to recruit more river marshalls who will be working on 24- 24-hour basis. This will hopefully deter people and boat operators from night sailing” Mrs Braimah said.

She revealed that all the local wooden boats used in the area are sub-standard and have no navigational aids to sustain night travel.

“NIWA has deployed a modern ferry to Niger state which will be put to use by next week.

Speaking further on the efforts of NIWA to arrest incessant boat mishaps in the North, Mrs. Braimah disclosed that the agency has established training centres in all the states of the Federation, especially in the Northern states where most of the boat operators lack formal education and required training to operate boats.

” At the end of such training which includes safe navigation and done in their local dialect, because most of them are illiterate, NIWA issues them certificates and we also monitor their operations”the NIWA

Areas Manager stated.

She further revealed that NIWA has a set of standards for boat building.

” We have gone to boat builders to license them and give them specifications on the type of boats they should build,” Mrs Braimah said.

In addition to all these safety measures, Braimah claimed that NIWA has a department that carries out surveys and inspections of boats for seaworthiness, an exercise carried out in January every year.

She also disclosed that the authority collaborates with other sister agencies to ensure the waterways are safe.

According to her, in Niger state where the latest boat mishap happened, NIWA has collaboration with the state’s NEMA while it has with Lagos State Waterways Authority( LASWA).

Gbajibo river in Mokwa Local government Area of Niger state is notorious for boat accidents.

It would be recalled that in September 2023, a similar tragic incident happened when a boat carrying 50 passengers capsized, killing 24 persons who were on their way to their farms for harvest.

Headlines

NIWA partners ICPC to strengthen internal transparency in its operations

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced new strategies aimed at improving its operational system and enhancing collaboration with key stakeholders as part of efforts to boost efficiency and accountability.

Speaking at a post event Press Conference at NIWA Headquarters Lokoja, the Acting Managing Director, Umar Yusuf Girei, while answering questions from journalists stated that, the organization convened a two -day Executive and Anti-Corruption training with the theme “Strengthening Integrity and Revenue System in Inland Waterways Management” organized for Board Members, Management and Area Managers and also 2026 NIWA Management Retreat in Abuja.

The Acting MD noted as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,with the support Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Authority is focused on aligning institutional goals in ensuring better service delivery to Nigerians.

He further said, as part of its anti-corruption drive, the Management held discussions with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to explore measures for strengthening transparency within its operations.

Girei therefore, assured staff that the ongoing reforms under his watch would translate into improved service and better working conditions.

“NIWA remains committed to continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement and the reforms are expected to enhance both internal performance and public confidence”. he stated.

Headlines

Navy appoints new Maritime Guard Commander for NIMASA

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment of Commodore Reginald Odeodi Adoki as the Commander of the Maritime Guard Command at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Commodore Adoki takes over from Commodore H.C Oriekeze who has been redeployed.

Commodore Adoki, a principal Warfare Officer specializing in communication and intelligence, brings onboard 25 years experience in the Nigerian Navy covering training, staff and operations.

As a seaman, he has commanded NNS Andoni, NNS Kyanwa and NNS Kada.

It was under his command that NNS Kada under took her maiden voyage, sailing from the country of build (the United Arab Emirates) into Nigeria.

He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 2000 with a BSc in Mathematics.

He has since earned a Masters in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and an M.Sc in Terrorism, Security and Policing at University of Leicester, England.

He is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Defence and Security Studies at the National Defence Academy (NDA).

He is a highly decorated officer with several medals for distinguished service.

Welcoming the new MGC Commander to the Agency, the Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, expressed confidence in Adoki’s addition to the team, emphasising that it will further strengthen the nation’s maritime security architecture given his vast experience in the industry.

The Maritime Guard Command domiciled in NIMASA was established as part of the resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy to assist NIMASA strengthen operational efficiency in Nigeria’s territorial waters, especially through enforcement of security, safety and other maritime regulations.

Customs

Customs collects N1.585 trillion from 51 compliant traders under AEO programme

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), one of the trade facilitation tools introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2025, has begun to yield bountiful harvests with the revenue growth of ₦362.79 billion recorded in 2025.

According to the AEO scorecard released by the Service, the facilitation tool grossed the sum of N1.585 trillion after certification, an increase revenue from N1.222 trillion before certification.

This represents the growth of N362.79 billion(29.68 per cent) for 51 AEO – certified entities as at October, 2025.

The Programme, according to the NCS, also contributed 21.77% to its total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid rose by 85.66% due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.

According to AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report, the Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.

“The evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

“In the area of trade facilitation, AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60% time saving.

“Company operating costs declined by 57.2 per cent while demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention.

” Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management” the Customs declared in the AEO scorecard.

However, the Service singled out with Eight companies for commendation due to their integrity and compliance under the programme.

The companies include Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd, CORMART Nigeria Ltd, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.

The Service lauded them for a cumulative voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure.

“These actions reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.

Nevertheless, the Service suspended a firm under the programme for its non- compliance and display of lack of integrity.

The suspended firm engaged in false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations.

“Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in accordance with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The NCS reiterated that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance.

“While compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established.

“The Service remains resolute in safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework” the NCS concluded in the report.