Headlines
NIMASA deploys Deep Blue assets to track kidnapped maritime workers in Rivers —–as Jamoh condemns incident
Eyewitness reporter
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has deployed its sophisticated Deep Blue assets, especially the c4i and intelligence centres of the agency, to monitor and track the eight kidnapped Nigerians, five of whom are members of the Nigeria Maritime workers union.
In his solidarity message to the President-General of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, Dr Jamoh expressed sadness over the incident, regretting
Jamoh
that this was happening when the Nigerian maritime industry is witnessing tremendous gains in the nation’s maritime security sphere and are getting commended for the progress both locally and internationally.
“I have spoken with the President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju to express the agency’s displeasure over the incident and unequivocal condemnation of this unpalatable development, especially when the industry is beginning to witness tremendous gains in our maritime security sphere and are getting commended for the progress both locally and internationally.
“Apart from condemning this situation, NIMASA is also following the trend of the events, and our Deep Blue assets, especially the C4i and intelligence centres are monitoring and we shall keep the public apprised of progress,” the Director-General said.
He also said that the agency is not unmindful of sea pirates’ presence and activities of other marine criminals who are running away from the intense heat in the nation’s territorial waters, courtesy of the enforcement of the Deep Blue Project.
Jamoh noted that such lawless persons would have started relocating to the low rivers to continue their criminal enterprise.
Dr. Jamoh vowed that the personnel of the Deep Blue Project would ensure that all waters of the coastal states are covered in their daily patrol to nip in the bud any act of criminality in the waterways and creeks.
He also assured that the Special Maritime Intelligence Unit of Deep Blue Project will up its ante in engaging the youths at the creeks through the use of the carrot and stick policy of the Agency to wean them away from marine-related atrocities and crimes.
Dr. Jamoh further said that the Agency will continue to explore its partnerships with the governors of the littoral state to continue to sensitize the youths on the non-profitability of marine crime as well as ensuring that they are meaningfully engaged to contribute their quota to the development of the nation.
Customs
Ibrahim Shu’aibu, impersonator of CGC Adeniyi, faces trial, knows fate on July 3rd, as Abuja Federal High Court adjourns hearing
Freight Monitor
Fresh crisis brews in ANLCA
—as angry members walk out of NEC meeting over imposition of strange characters on ASECO.
— aggrieved members may seek redress in court— Ozo Chukwura
The Eyewitness Reporter
The fragile peace that has existed in the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) since the eight months administration of Chief Emenike Nwekeoji, the National President of the association, may be ruptured and return the war-weary group to a resurgence of fresh crisis.
Ironically, the unilateral decisions made by Chief Emenike at the recently held National Executive Committee (NEC)meeting of the association have sparked outrage and may return the aggrieved members to the trenches.
It could be recalled that the President of ANLCA, Chief Emenke, had called the NEC meeting of the association on April 26th, 2024 to discuss two matters listed on the agenda, which included the reconstitution of the Association Electoral Committee (ASECO) after the unceremonious resignation of its Chairman, Chief Alloy Eze and election into the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the association.
However, Prince Ozo Chukwura, the Vice Chairman of the association’s BOT, who was present at the meeting, told our reporter that the NEC meeting was stalemated.
“The meeting was inconclusive. It was stalemated as aggrieved members walked out in anger over the unilateral decision of Emenike to bring in two unqualified members and impose them on ASECO as members against the wish of BOT members and other attendees” Prince Ozo Chukwura disclosed.
According to him, the sign that Emenike had a hidden agenda first emerged when the meeting, which was slated for 1 0’clock didn’t start until around 4: 25 pm as some members, who had gone to have another clandestine meeting elsewhere came in late and briefed the president before the NEC meeting started.
“After a long epistle of a welcome address in which he tried to prepare the minds of those in attendance for his hidden agenda, Emenike announced the names of two strange characters who by no means are not qualified as members of ASECO to join the original six members.”
” We all in unison rejected the choice and objected to the strange practice by Mr. President as the supreme constitution of ANLCA only empowers the BOT members to appoint ASECO members and submit their names to NEC and not NECOM for ratification”
” We were therefore surprised at the decision of the President to appoint ASECO members.” But Emenike told us he derived his powers to set up ASECO members from section 25 of the 2013 constitution.
” However, he insisted and maintained its position to bring in these two strange characters who he apparently wanted to do his biddings as ASECO members.”Curiously, he wanted to make one of them, one Francis Itua, who clearly did not qualify as his practicing licence is not more than four months as against the stipulated five to 10 years, to become the chairman of the ASECO while the second person, Abayomi Ajibola, whom I didn’t recognize, is slated for the position of Secretary.
“However, in order to give peace a chance, we gave the President option B, which was to retain the former six members without bringing in other persons while he was given the opportunity of appointing the chairman and secretary among them”
“This was despite the vehement protest of the Chairman of the Western Zone, Mr Femi Anifowose.” At this point, most attendees, including myself, walked out of the venue of the meeting, surprised at the despotic attitude of the President.
” I distance myself from the unilateral decisions of Mr President which to me is a recipe for anarchy and chaos in the association.”If not rescinded, it could lead to a resurgence of litigations by aggrieved members who are at liberty to approach the courts to seek redress” the ANLCA chieftain warned.
Prince Chukwura bemoaned the arrogant attitude of Emenike since he emerged in what he described as highly compromised election as he behaves like a demi-god.
He raised the alarm that the administration of Emenike has jettisoned the role and conditions of peace facilitated by the Customs Consultative Council(CCC) which helped to broker peace that gave way to the election that brought him in as President.
He revealed that they went as far as reporting the CCC to the CGC.
Goaded by Chief Elochukwu who said that the association has no need for CCC again as they can no longer dictate to them, the Emenike Nwekeoji-led administration has completely desecrated the terms and conditions of the peace deal brokered by the CCC.”
” During the peace arrangement facilitated by the CCC, it was agreed that since the Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha -faction has taken the chairmanship of the BOT, the presidency should be zoned to the Farinto faction.
“But they quickly brought in Emenike from nowhere to contest the election against our candidate and he won.
“We allow this breach of agreement to slide for peace’s sake.”Also, it was decided that ASECO should be constituted with eight members, four from each faction while the Farinto faction should produce the chairman.
“No sooner did Alloy Anakwuru become the chairman, than he died.
“Our replacement in the person of Emeka Igwe was eventually frustrated to resign.”He was never allowed to work as a series of allegations and accusations were thrown at him until he was forced to resign.
“This is the bone of contention and a sure way to return the association to the much-avoided crisis” Prince Ozo Chukwura disclosed.” We have overlooked so much of their excesses and desecration of the peace agreement to allow peace to reign.
“They allowed people who were not qualified to vote, people who have not contributed anything to the association, they were given a waiver to vote while our people were disenfranchised.”Though we protested, the CCC asked us to give peace a chance and we did.
“But now they want to overreach themselves and reopen the old wounds which we shall revisit if need be” the ANLCA chieftain warned.
He also lamented that all his entreaties to the ANLCA President to reconcile all the aggrieved members were ignored. Prince Ozo Chukwura however advised Emenike and his lieutenants to work towards peace in ANLCA as his current action is capable of flitering away the little gains achieved during the period of fragile peace in the association.
Customs
Customs launches manhunt for killers of officer in Katsina attacks
-
Headlines2 months ago
Houthis attacks on Red Sea: Maersk hikes freight rate, imposes $1,000 container fee
-
Customs2 months ago
Customs commences disposal of seized rice at N10,000 per 25kg to needy Nigerians, beneficiaries must have valid NIN
-
Headlines1 month ago
Shippers’ Council in panic mode over implementation of Oronsaye report
-
Customs2 months ago
Customs mulls establishment of export terminal in Kano for enhancement of trading activities
-
Customs1 month ago
Amidst decline in cargo throughput, Customs garners N1.347 trillion revenue in three months
-
Headlines2 months ago
Pius Akutah orders mass dismissal of contract staff, casual workers at Shippers’ Council