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ETO is the best thing that happened to Port industry after Port concession – Remi Ogungbemi

— calls for full automation of the system 
Funso OLOJO 
The  National President of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) has described the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA’s) electronic call- up system known as ETO, as the best thing that will happen to the maritime industry after Port concession of 2006.
The endorsement of the e- call up system by Ogungbemi came admist series of allegations of impropriety against the process.
However, the AMATO President , in an exclusive interview with our reporter, alleged that those who were criticizing ETO are those who were benefitting from the fraud inherent in truck movement management which the electronic system came to eradicate.
” ETO is the best thing to have ever happened to the Port Industry after the port concession programme” declared Chief Ogungbemi.
 ” But those who were criticizing ETO are those benefitting from the fraudulent practices which ETO has come to eradicate” he alleged.
The AMATO High Chief however identified some areas of lapses in the system which he said should be improved on for its maximum efficiency.
According to him, ETO should be fully automated in order to eradicate human interference that is being exploited to compromise the system.
” No matter how good any system is, there is always room for improvement.
” ETO needs an upgrade for optimal efficiency.
“Even though, the operators of the system, the TTP, has been able to factor in some of our suggestions for improvement, but this has not been optimally done.
According to Ogungbemi, full digitization of the process will eliminate human factor that is compromising the efficiency, integrity and standard of the  e call- up system.
He believed that in as much as there is still queues of trucks on Port access roads, extending to as far as Ijora bridge and Tin Can bridge, this suggests the e call- up system is not yet perfect.
” It is only trucks that are duly released from the truck parks that should be allowed to be on the road.
” Also, trucks should not be indiscriminately released but released according to the capacity of the terminals the trucks are meant for.
” It is the indiscriminate release of trucks that causes chaos on the roads.
The AMATO chief called for electronic gates at each of the terminals that will be programmed in such a way that no truck that is not programmed with the barriers at the gate will be able to gain access.
” Before any truck can leave the truck park, it must have been captured in the system of the TTP, the operators of the system.
” They should not wait until trucks get onto the road before they are turned back for improper documentation.
” Also, there is an urgent need for e- tag for the trucks in such a way that only trucks duly released and tagged will gain access into the terminals.
” It should be done in such a way that the barrier at the gate of the terminals will be programmed to only allow duly released trucks access into the terminals”
” This is the type of automation the truckers want introduced into the system to eliminate human interference that tends to compromise the process ” Ogungbemi stated.
On the legality of a body called COMTUA, Ogungbemi declared” I am not a member of COMTUA but what I know is that those who founded COMTUA said they have disbanded the body.
“But if government recognizes COMTUA,who am I to say no.
” If anybody is still parading himself as a member of COMTUA, well I don’t know but what I know is that am not a member and would not give COMTUA any recognition” Chief Ogungbemi concluded.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in February 27th, 2021 introduced and deployed the use of electronic call- up system for the seamless management of trucks movement into the Port terminals.
The initiative was borne out of the desire to eliminate traffic gridlock along port access roads around that period.
The system was also meant to discard the manual management of truck movement that has been heavily abused and compromised for pecuniary gains.
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Tompolo pays glowing tribute to Wike on his 58th birthday.

Funso OLOJO 
High Chief  Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has eulogised the uncommon courage, resilience and unwavering sense of duty of Barrister Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory(FCT), describing these attributes as those that align with the Tantita’s objectives and work ethic.
Tompolo, the Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, make this observation in his message to Wike on his 58th birthday, where he paid a glowing tribute to the FCT Minister.
According to him, Wike’s  public life is a reflection of courage, conviction and an unwavering sense of duty.
Tompolo said Wike’s journey through public service—marked by legal brilliance, political audacity and firm decision-making—has consistently demonstrated that true leadership is defined by impact, not rhetoric.
He noted that from Wike’s formative years in public administration through his tenure as Governor of Rivers State and now as FCT Minister, his performance has remained anchored on results, resilience and a relentless commitment to public good.
“In the Federal Capital Territory, your presence is already being massively felt.
” The renewed focus on infrastructure, order, and accountability speaks to a hands-on leadership style that understands Abuja’s symbolic and practical importance to Nigeria’s unity and governance,” Tompolo said.
The TSSNL founder commended Wike for recognising the intrinsic connection between security, development and national stability, stressing that the minister’s insistence on law, order and institutional discipline aligns strongly with Tantita’s mission of protecting critical assets and fostering a safe environment for sustainable growth.
He added that Wike’s reputation as “Mr. Project” was well-earned, given his consistent record of performance and the courage to take difficult decisions when duty demanded it.
“In moments that demand firmness, you have chosen responsibility over convenience, standing by your convictions even when the path was difficult,” he said.
Tompolo prayed for renewed strength, sharper vision and continued success for the minister as he marks another year, expressing confidence that Wike’s service would continue to leave a lasting imprint on national development.
“Please accept my sincere best wishes for good health, wisdom, and continued success. May the years ahead bring fulfilment and further contributions to the progress and unity of Nigeria,” he added.
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Nigeria denies ownership of detained vessel

VLCC SKIPPER
Funso OLOJO 
 The management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has clarified the status of a tanker vessel, MT SKIPPER, currently intercepted and detained by the United States Coast Guard(USCG) over alleged oil theft and other transnational crimes.
According to the statement from the Nigeria’s maritime industry apex regulatory agency, the vessel , Very Large Crude Carrier,is not a Nigerian – flagged vessel while its purported owners, Thomarose Global Ventures Limited, are not registered with NIMASA as a shipping company.
“An analysis of the vessel’s movement, monitored through the Agency’s Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence (C4i) Centre, shows that the vessel was last sighted in Nigerian waters on 1st July 2024.

“After departing Nigerian waters, the vessel continued on its international voyage pattern and was tracked operating in the Arabian Sea (Asia) and later in the Caribbean region, where the U.S. interdiction eventually took place.

“Records indicate that SKIPPER which was formerly owned by Triton Navigation Corp, has undergone multiple name changes over time.

“The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders, including U.S. authorities, in the ongoing investigations. He emphasized that criminality will not be tolerated in Nigerian waters” NIMASA stated in a public statement.

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Adeniyi, Akutah, Fakolade, Warredi, Maiwada headline 10th anniversary of seminar for maritime journalists in Lagos 

Funso OLOJO 
First Mediacon media group, the convener of the annual seminar for maritime journalists, has lined up an array of industry’s stakeholders to sharpen the intellectual capacity of maritime journalists at this year’s workshop.
The annual event, which is the 10th edition this year, holds December 17th, 2025 in Lagos.
According to the organisers of the programme, the cream of the maritime industry have been lined up to engage the industry’s media in intellectual discussions that will deepen the knowledge of its practitioners in digital trade facilitation, regulatory efficiency and the economic reforms.
Key speakers at the event include the Comptroller- General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Barrister Akutah Ukeyima who is expected to deliver the keynote address, Mr Tola Fakolade, Director of the National Single Window, Mr Warredi Eniosuoh, who is expected to chair the event and Deputy Comptroller of Customs and the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada.
Maiwada is expected to deliver a practical training on “Data Analysis for Effective Maritime Reporting”
According to Mr. Sesan Onileimo, CEO of First Mediacon Network Limited and convener of the seminar, “the past decade has proven that accurate, data-driven journalism is vital to the growth of the maritime economy.
“This platform empowers journalists with the tools to properly analyse reforms, interrogate investments and provide the business community with credible information.”
Now in its tenth year, the seminar has become a major business intelligence platform, equipping maritime journalists with the technical insight required to analyse policy decisions, market trends and operational performance within the nation’s blue economy.
Over the years, it has helped strengthen the information value chain that supports investment decisions across ports, logistics, shipping, and inland trade corridors.
This year’s edition comes at a time when Nigeria’s maritime economy is undergoing significant transformation, driven by digitalisation, regulatory restructuring and demand for greater operational transparency.
Marking a decade of consistent impact, the organisers reaffirm their commitment to strengthening the professional capacity of the maritime media, while promoting a more transparent, efficient and investment-friendly maritime environment.
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