Headlines

MWUN takes life assurance policy for safety of passengers on waterways in its loading points in Rivers State

Gloria Odion

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), under the leadership of the President – General, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, has partnered Coronation Life Assurance Limited for life assurance cover on its customers plying all its 42 loading points in Rivers State.

The insurance policy involves the MWUN as First Part in conjunction with Multijanc Concept Limited as Second Part and Coronation Life Assurance Limited as Third Part covering the 42 dock/ loading points in Rivers State.

In the partnership, the Union seeks to safeguard its customers (passengers ) against incidents of medical emergency, permanent disability, and death, while traveling on the waterways within its 42 loading points in Rivers State.

The Union has approached the Insurer through the consultant to provide insurance coverage for passengers who travel with the Union by sea against medical emergency, permanent disability, and death.

The Union further explained that this measure has been put in place to safeguard the lives of passengers and both drivers in the cases of boat mishaps within the mentioned zones in Rivers State.

Customs

Lilypond export command unveils new export documentation under B’Odogwu platform

Gloria Odion

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lilypond Export Command,has unveiled the B’Odogwu platform, a new digital system designed to streamline export documentation and enhance efficiency across the export value chain.

The launching of the new platform was done recently during its quarterly stakeholders’ meeting.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders from both public and private sectors to review operational progress, resolve challenges, and strengthen collaboration for seamless export procedures.

Addressing the gathering , the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Ajibola Odunsanya, expressed appreciation for the sustained cooperation of stakeholders and underscored the importance of synergy in achieving Nigeria’s trade facilitation goals.

“We are committed to strengthening our partnership with all actors in the export chain,” he said.

“Issues surrounding Nigeria Export Proceeds (NXP) documentation that once hindered the smooth movement of export cargo have been addressed.

” Our renewed engagement with stakeholders has yielded improvements in process efficiency and built mutual trust.”

A major highlight of the meeting was the unveiling of the B’Odogwu platform.

The Acting Deputy Comptroller in charge of Revenue, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Rauf Kassim, gave a comprehensive presentation on the platform’s features and benefits.

He encouraged exporters, agents, and terminal operators to adopt the platform for faster, more transparent, and efficient documentation.

Parallex Bank, sponsors of the meeting, used the interactive session to introduce their tailored financial solutions for exporters, reaffirming their support for the non-oil export sector.

Stakeholders at the meeting commended the Lilypond Export Command for simplifying and accelerating export processes in Nigeria, noting that the improvements had not only enhanced the operations of existing exporters but also encouraged new entrants and foreign investors.

They however raised concerns about persistent challenges at the terminals and with shipping lines.

These include procedural delays at Tincan and Apapa, prolonged container transfer times, and limited vessel calls all of which continue to hinder timely cargo evacuation and cause financial losses.

In his closing remarks, Comptroller Odunsanya commended all attendees for their active participation and reiterated the Command’s commitment to fostering a trade-friendly environment.

“We will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders, including government agencies, terminal operators, and financial institutions, to remove bottlenecks and drive export growth,” he declared.

Headlines

NRC unleashes rail reforms that will berth CNG- powered trains in Nigeria

Funso OLOJO

In a few years to come, trains will be run on Compressed Natural Gas(CGN) that will replace the diesel – powered train engines in the country.

This revolution, which is part of the silent reforms in train services initiated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation( NRC) under the dynamic leadership of Dr Kayode Opeifa, is a fall out of the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) between the Corporation and the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PI-CNG).

The conversion of diesel- powered engines to CGN – powered train engines, is meant to cost costs and engender efficiency in rail services in Nigeria.

Making this disclosure during an interview with a National Television on Monday, June 2nd, 2025, Dr Kayode Opeifa, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), noted that the partnership will help reduce diesel dependence and operational costs.

He noted that diesel remains the major cost burden for the NRC, used for engines, stations, and other facilities.

The collaboration, according to him,will involve converting diesel engines to CNG-compatible engines, and training young Nigerians through the NRC’s training school in various technologies, including CNG conversion.

Opeifa said this will lead to nationwide deployment of CNG stations and facilities, as well as CNG-powered trains.

He further noted that the ongoing reforms in the railway system are yielding positive results, with more Nigerians now taking advantage of rail services across various states.

Opeifa believed that the rail system is being revitalized to serve the economic and social integration needs of the country.

He recounted the challenges the NRC has faced, including recurring washouts due to weather conditions and vandalism, but maintained that the rail sector is being repositioned to play a major role in reducing transport costs and improving national logistics.

He revealed that the NRC had earlier been operating between areas such as Apapa, Moniya, and Ilorin, and had plans to extend to places like Minna and Kaduna.

However, these plans were affected by the washouts and other disruptions.

“Despite this, states such as Plateau and others such as Lagos, which has introduced the Red Line, are already benefitting from the track access programme, which allows idle tracks to be optimized for logistics use.

Dr. Opeifa disclosed that cargo is now being moved efficiently from Lagos to other parts of the country, with private logistics companies showing increasing interest.

He cited the example of the AKK gas pipeline project, noting that the pipes used were transported by rail from Warri Port to various locations, including Kaduna and Kano.

He described the development as a “railway cargo revolution,” aimed at optimizing the rail system for the benefit of Nigerians.

According to him, the railway’s contribution to the GDP is becoming more noticeable, especially in the reduction of transportation costs and, indirectly, prices of goods in the country.

The NRC boss commended the capacity and resilience of Nigerian railway engineers, describing how they had restored broken-down engines on the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS), within three days, despite tough working conditions.

He emphasized the need to showcase this capacity and expand it beyond the rail sector.

Opeifa said the vision is to have a railway system that facilitates economic, regional, and social integration.

He added that if the transport sector’s contribution to GDP reaches at least 6%, it would drive national development and poverty alleviation through lower transportation and logistics costs.

Highlighting practical examples, he spoke of commuters who save up to 50% in travel costs using the rail system.

Some passengers, he said, travel from Bayelsa to Port Harcourt, board a train to Abuja, and continue their journey north — all with a single ticket, making it both affordable and efficient.

He also mentioned the newly operational Port Harcourt–Aba line, which is already boosting trade and commerce.

Traders are now commuting daily to buy goods and return the same day, thanks to the efficiency of rail services.

Opeifa assured that Enugu and other regions are also part of the expansion plans, with significant investment already committed to infrastructure and modern stations.

He expressed optimism that in the next two to four years, trains would reach almost every part of Nigeria.

On the issue of vandalism, he decried the frequent attacks on railway assets, especially in the North Central region.

He stressed that rail infrastructure is a national asset and must not be treated as scrap.

Tampering with the rail lines, he warned, could cause accidents and loss of life.

Opeifa concluded by urging Nigerians to support the federal government’s rail revolution, assuring that more announcements and projects will roll out in the coming months.

He said the NRC is determined to provide rail services that are accessible, affordable, and beneficial to all Nigerians.

Headlines

APMT partners GIVO to engender cleaner environment in Apapa community

Funso OLOJO

In a strategic move to combat plastic pollution, foster cleaner environment in Apapa, APM Terminals Apapa has partnered waste management startup , Garbage In Value Out (GIVO) to launch a zero-carbon recycling hub.

The Zero Carbon Recycling Hub, located in Apapa, is designed to make waste recycling easier and more accessible to communities, with the broader goal of fostering long-term sustainable practices.

The official launch took place on Wednesday at Ladi-Lak Primary School, Apapa.

Steen Knudsen, Terminal Manager of APM Terminals Apapa, while speaking at the event, emphasized that the initiative is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment to its host communities.

He outlined the company’s CSR focus on three core areas: environmental sustainability, education, and healthcare.

“In line with our global goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2040, APM Terminals is increasing its investments in environmental sustainability,” Knudsen stated.

“As a key player in the transportation and logistic industry, we operate heavy equipment and vessels that contribute to carbon emissions, and we recognize our responsibility to reduce that footprint.”

Knudsen highlighted previous sustainability efforts, including the recycling of used tyres into useful items such as floor mats and flip-flops.

The new partnership with GIVO, he said, builds on these efforts by targeting plastic waste, enabling its transformation into reusable materials.

He also revealed that APM Terminals is already procuring workwear (coveralls) made from recycled plastic waste.

He called for increased community awareness around plastic recycling, noting its potential to generate both environmental and economic benefits.

Victor Boyle-Komolafe, CEO of GIVO, explained that the recycling hub is solar-powered and services a 25-kilometre radius.

The facility currently recycles approximately 300 kilograms of waste per day, totaling about 90 metric tons annually.

According to Boyle-Komolafe, these efforts help avoid up to 3,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

“This project not only protects the environment but also drives economic empowerment,” he said.

“We offer ₦300 per kilogram of waste collected and have created over 50 indirect jobs and 15 direct jobs.”

He expressed gratitude to APM Terminals for supporting startups like GIVO, noting that the partnership aligns with APM Terminals’ Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals.

Also speaking at the event, Harry Olugboyega, Deputy Director of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), criticized the casual disposal of plastic waste, which often blocks drainage systems and contributes to flooding.

He advocated for increased recycling efforts, which could generate raw materials and create income opportunities.

Gloria Anyasodo, Coordinator for the Western Zone of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), commended the initiative and affirmed NIMASA’s commitment to partnering with both GIVO and APM Terminals to maintain cleaner waterways.

Florence Onyelum, Head of Public Relations at Lagos Port Complex Apapa,who represented the Port Manager, applauded the launch of the recycling hub and urged community members to act as agents of change in addressing plastic waste challenges.

Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy to the Lagos State Governor, described the initiative as a powerful model for community-led environmental impact.

“This project is about localizing impact, scaling sustainable solutions, and putting people at the center of climate action,” she said.