| Upcoming
Events
Nigerian
Dredging Summit 2011.
Pictures of Past Dredging Summits
2010 Summit
2009
Summit
2007
Summit
|
|
|
|
|
IN
THE NEWS...
NIGERIAN TRANSPORT
UPDATE
Lagos, Ogun, A’Ibom
to Get Four Deep Seaports
 Lagos
State Governor, Babatunde Fashola
As part of the efforts to boost operations in the nation’s seaports,
the Federal Government plans the development of green fields with the
construction of four deep sea ports. The states where the seaports will
be developed include Lagos, which will get two seaports, Akwa Ibom and
Ogun.
Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, who disclosed this in Abuja
at a press briefing said that two deep seaports will be built at Lekki
and Badagry in Lagos.
The other seaport will be constructed at Ondo/Ogun, while the fourth
will be at Ibaka in Akwa Ibom state.
It would be recalled that the Managing Director of NPA, Engr Suleiman
Omar, had said that the Lekki deep seaport project will commence early
next year, while that of Akwa-Ibom will follow suit. The take-off date
of the other deep seaports was not disclosed.
However, the Minister said that the ports terminals have been concessioned
to both indigenous and foreign private terminal operators to improve
efficiency, decrease cost of operation and accelerate development of
the seaports.
He said that this will go a long way to situate Nigeria as a hub for
international freight and trade in West and Central Africa.
Umar said that the Transport Ministry was determined to attain the vision
20:20:20 objectives by evolving a world class transportation system
in Nigeria and to reposition the country as a hub in West and Central
Africa.
He said that his mandate was to formulate and implement government policies
for effective and efficient transport system in the country, as well
as set guidelines on transportation for stakeholders, among others.
(Thisday).
Customs Suspends 14 Officers
Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs, Mr Inde Dikko Abdullahi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the
suspension of 14 officers over allegations of fraudulent release of
vehicles and other goods in Tincan Island and Apapa Ports.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Dikko Inde
Abdullahi, who disclosed this yesterday, while addressing newsmen in
Abuja, said salaries of the affected officers have been stopped, adding
that the move, according to him, was a continuation of efforts by the
Customs to instill transparency into its operations.
Ten of the officers are of the ranks of deputy comptrollers
and assistant controllers while the rest are in the inspector cadres.
The affected officers include Gidado, J. T., a deputy
comptroller of Apapa Port; Odege, T. C., Ukonu, A. U., Shinkafi, M.
F., Ibrahim, L. G., Lawal, B. K and Halilu, A. R, all assistant comptrollers
in Tincan Island Port, Lagos. The rest are chief superintendent Waziri,
B. F., Idris, M., Harry, N. B., Elemi, P. E., Aliyu, S. and Mohammed,
A., all senior inspectors.
Also suspended was Dr. K. C. Ike of the Port Harcourt Medical Unit for
absenteeism.
“At this stage of our efforts to transform the
Service, we cannot afford to tolerate illegal conduct of the nature
exhibited by those officers. I am disappointed that despite our efforts
to turn-around the Service, some senior Officers are still found wanting,”
he said. (Thisday).
FG Rolls Out Plan for Rail Network
Service
 Senator
Idris Umar, Transport Minister
The Federal Government has concluded plans to embark on massive rail
projects, including linking of the nation’s seaports and airports
with rail services.
Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, disclosed this on the occasion
of the commemoration of the First 100 Days of President Goodluck Jonathan
in office.
Umar said that part of the plan is to rehabilitate the old narrow gauge
to run simultaneously with the newly constructed standard gauge.
He said that government has already completed the rehabilitation of
the old narrow gauge covering 488 kilometres from Lagos – Jebba,
expressing optimism that the phase 2 part of the project will be completed
by the end of November this year.
According to him, “ this will make it possible to move from Lagos
to Kano by rail and reduce the pressure on our roads and elongate the
life span of our road network”.
Umar disclosed that part of the project includes the development of
mass transit rail services spread across the six geo-political zones
in the country.
He also added that intra-city transit services are currently operational
in some cities, including Lagos, Kaduna, Ilorin and Kano.
The Minister also disclosed that the federal government is working on
developing new rail lines with the involvement of private sector through
Public Private Partnership arrangement.
According to him, the Ministry of Transport will ensure that the seaports
and airports were linked with rail services as a way of improving transportation
system in the country.
He also identified the East-West Coast line and high-speed linking covering
Lagos-Ibadan- Benin-Onitsha-Enugu; Benin-Warri-Yenagoa-P’Harcourt-Uyo-Calabar;
Lagos and Abuja, as top on the agenda of government.
Phase one of the modernisation project, the Minister said, entails the
introduction of a standard gauge rail system to link the major cities
in Nigeria.
“In this regard, I am happy to report that work has started on
the first leg of the project which runs from Abuja to Kaduna. This project
is being handled by the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company
(CCECC).”, he said.
He said that the contractor has assured of completing the project within
36 months as contained in the contract agreement.
Umar also disclosed that the project employs over 2000 Nigerians and
expected to employ 5000 Nigerians on completion.
Similarly, he disclosed that the Ajaokuta –Warri
Rail Line , and construction of new stations was at advanced stage.
(Thisday). |
|
The
scorecard on Nigerian seaport reforms
It’s ten years since the Obasanjo’s presidency kick-started
the search for better fortunes for Nigeria’s port industry. Once
upon a time, the ports were a haven for wharf rats. No more. Ships then
spent weeks in port to load and discharge. Stevedores were unruly, practicing
the infamous “akube” system, where shipping lines paid for
16-men gangs but get 8 men instead. None could do anything about it
for many years. The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) was then
a glorified gang-up of port industry warlords. Former transport minister,
Chief Ojo Maduekwe, shocked the nation when he exposed bags of money
brought to him at night to soft-pedal the wheels of the reforms which
started rolling during his tenure.
Read more...
Other Articles &
Interviews:
Mr Pier Luigi Carrodano on his
work with Gen. T Y Danjuma's companies and the Chinese sea trade with
Nigeria...NEW
Engr Akin Olaniyan on need for NIMASA
to return to original mandate and harnessing cabotage trade...NEW
Dr. Wilson Odafe Omene on Niger
Delta politics, amnesty programme, Nigerian maritime and local govt,
etc....NEW
Capt
Adeyemo on River Niger Dredging...
Prof
P.C. Nwilo on his assessment of NIWA during sabbatical ...
Mr
Nseyeng Ebong on his 8-year tenure as rector of Maritime Academy
of Nigeria Oron...
Chief
Dumo Lulu Briggs as
chairman of Maritime Academy of Nigeria Oron, his vision...
Engr
Muyiwa Omasebi: The face-off Between NIWA, MMSD and Lagos State Govt.
Otunba
K Folarin: The Collapse
of Nig. shipping lines.
P.L.
Carrodano: How govt
can revive Nig. shipping lines.
Sam
Epia: The struggles
of Nig shipping lines with cargo reservation scheme.
Jeff
Gibb: Intricacies of
the equipment market in Nigeria.
Environmental
Quality Monitoring.
Environment: "How
many choppers has DPR got?" - Chief Ogunsiji.
Dredging the Niger Delta: Interview of Ben Efekarurhobo.
Role
of Surveying in the Dredging Industry
G.B Liman:
Of Myth, Reality and Resource Control
Dredging
Law: A judgment on the ownership of a sand dredging site by the
Court of Appeal.
Dredging
Law:
a.
Lagos State Attorney General Interpretes state law on sand dredging
and stockpile.
b.
NIWA public notice on Lagos State intervention in inland waterways regulation.
|
|
|
|
| 
TRAINING COURSES.
Efficient Dredge
Master Training
Train your dredge masters, engineers, electricians and deckhands in
relevant skills for efficiency, productivity, equipment safety and maintenance.
All trainees are time-tested with written and practical tests. Transcripts
and attendance certificates given.
Courses:
1. Dredge Appreciation / Refresher –
knowledge of safety procedures for equipment use:
PPE; Safety operation onboard dredge; Maintenance routine; Checks for
optimal production while pumping; working with boosters; splicing and
fixing cables, cleaning and painting; Etc. For Dredge crews mainly.
Class room lectures and Practical sessions onboard dredge.
2. Firefighting
and Protective Measures (including respiratory protection). For
Dredge crews, Field and Technical workers. Class room lectures and Practical
session at the Fire Bay.
3. Basic sea
survival techniques and the use of lifesaving equipment. Class
room lectures and Practical sessions at the standard swimming pool with
professional gear.
For details of availability, duration, registration, fees and teaching
logistics, please contact the organizers:
Dredge Skills and Marine Training Centre Ltd.
E187, Ikota Shopping Complex, VGC, Ajah. Lagos Nigeria
Tel.: +234 1 7928166 or 08033378735
Email: dredgeskills@gmail.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
