Connect with us

Headlines

Exclusive! Why I turned down request for salary increase for NIMASA staff—Amaechi

Eyewitness reporter
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi, has explained why he refused to accede to the request of the management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for a raise in the salary of the agency’s staff.
It would be recalled that the Director-General of the agency, Dr Bashir Jamoh, at a recent media parley to commemorate his one year in office, disclosed that the management of the NIMASA had approached the Minister of Transportation, as a supervising Minister, for the approval of the new salary template for the staff of NIMASA that seeks to increase their take-home pay.
Jamoh had disclosed that this measure was meant to boost the morale of the staff whom he lauded for their commitment and dedication to duty.
But Ameachi, at a recent two-day retreat for the agencies under his ministry, disclosed that he had rejected the planned increment.
While justifying the reason for his action, which NIMASA staff took with concealed pains, Ameachi said the agency has long become a cash cow for reasons unrelated to its core maritime industry functions.

Jamoh

He said that before his coming as a Minister of Transportation in 2015, NIMASA has completely derailed from its core function of being a maritime industry regulatory agency.
He reminiscenced that NIMASA was then a contract-awarding agency that has been turned into a cash cow for contractors, politicians and seekers of government favours.
Ameachi disclosed that his desire to change the narrative made him stop all such political patronage.
“When we came in 2015, we promised to turn NIMASA from contract-awarding agency to its proper role of a regulatory agency.
“Before, if 10 people approached me for favour, eight will want to go to NIMASA.
” That is why when the management of the agency approached me for a salary increase for its staff, I said no.
” NIMASA has become a cash cow. Some for employment, some for contracts, while for some, it was for political appointments.
“I said no, there has to be a stop to this.
“I said if the agency maintains its regulatory status, nobody will come for contracts or political appointment or employment.
” People wanted to go to NIMASA more than NPA.
“But we have stopped all these and have restored a measure of sanity into the agency. NIMASA  now plays its statutory role of being a regulatory agency than being a cash cow for favour seekers”, the minister declared.
He said the achievement of this feat is one of the legacies of the present administration.
Ameachi also revealed that the administration has delivered on its promise of enhancing security on Nigeria’s waters.
He said this was the aim of the deep blue project whose assets were recently launched by President Mohammadu Buhari and have been adequately deployed to tackle insecurity.
” The reason why vessels could not go to the Eastern ports of Port Harcourt and  Warri was because of the high cost of insurance.
“High cost of insurance is as a result of insecurity.
“If we address the issue of insecurity, the high cost of insurance will come down and this will boost business opportunities in the Eastern ports.
“This was the reason for the launch of the deep blue project and the deployment of its assets to tackle insecurity on our waters.
“We are now monitoring how effective the project is in tackling insecurity and which we believe will also address the issue of war-time surcharge on Nigerian-bound cargoes” the minister stated.
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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.
Continue Reading

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.

Continue Reading

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.
Continue Reading

Trending