October 2017 – Page 4 – Shipping World News Magazine

Oct222017 by Our EditorNo Comments

Court Jails Kebbi Accountant-General 70 Years for N1.6bn Fraud

Law

The Court of Appeal in Kebbi has sentenced Kebbi State’s Accountant-General, Mohammed Dakingari, to 70 years in prison after finding him guilty of N1.6bn fraud. The appellate court, in its judgment allowed the appeal by the EFCC, convicted and sentenced Dakingari to seven years imprisonment each on 10 of the counts preferred against him by the anti-graft agency. The sentence is, however, to run concurrently. Kebbi State High Court, had discharged and acquitted Dakingari, on charges of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence preferred against him and one other by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He allegedly used his office as the Accountant-General for personal enrichment to the tune of N1.6billion. Dakingari was charged alongside Musa Yusuf, Managing Director, Bea...

Oct212017 by Our EditorNo Comments

Nigerians Fear Buhari, They Don’t Trust Him Says Jonathan

Politics

The Media Office of former President Goodluck Jonathan has accused the federal government and the Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media, Femi Adesina of peddling falsehood over claims that Nigerians did not protest the hike in fuel price by the Buhari government because they trusted the government. In his response to Adesina and the Nigerian government, over the claims, Jonathan’s Media Office said fear, not trust was why Nigerians did not protest en masse against fuel price hike under Buhari. “When Femi Adesina says that it is because of trust that Nigerians did not rise up against the Buhari administration when it increased the pump price of petrol from N87 to N145, he betrays a deep ignorance and arrogance. “First of all, it was not Nigerians that rose up again the Jon...

Oct212017 by Our EditorNo Comments

NPA acquires modern equipment to tackle environmental pollution

Business, Port News

The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman has unveiled modern pollution and environmental equipment namely Drones, Jet skis and Booms for surveillance, monitoring and containing oil spillages. Others are Blowers, Pressure Washers, Skimmers, Power Pack Absorbers and Multiple Dispersant Sprays. Speaking during the event, the Managing Director urged the officer and staff in charge of the equipment to put them into optimal use to the appreciation of the stakeholders whilst bringing to the fore that the government was interested in ensuring the effective compliance and sustenance of the Ease of Doing Business at the Ports. She therefore postulated that matters concerning the occupational health of the officers and staff of the Authority was constantly paid...

Oct212017 by Our EditorNo Comments

Usman pledges to facilitate ease of doing business at seaports

Business, Port News

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman has assured the business community in Nigeria that the authority has put in place appropriate measures that would enable it facilitate business activities at the nation’s Seaports. Usman gave this assurance while delivering a keynote address at a one day sensitization workshop put together by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and NPA held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos Friday. According to her; “It will interest you to know that even before the Executive Orders were signed into Law by the Federal Government, the authority had put in place measures aimed at attracting investments into the maritime sub-sector of the nation’s economy”. The Managing Director who was represe...

Oct202017 by Our EditorNo Comments

124 Broken Ships Dumped on South Asia’s Beaches in Q3 – NGO Report

Education, Law

Some 124 ships out of 227 ships broken in the third quarter of 2017 ended up on beaches in South Asia for dirty and dangerous breaking, the latest report from NGO Shipbreaking Platform shows. A total of 42 ships were sent for demolition to Turkey, 35 to China, and 26 were scrapped in the rest of the world. Shipowners continue to sell their tonnage to infamous beaching yards in South Asia as it brings in more money. As explained by the Platform, there is little or no investments in proper infrastructure to contain pollutants and ensure safe working conditions, the proper disposal of hazardous wastes is overlooked, and migrant workers are exploited. Moreover, the prices offered for ships this third quarter have been high in South Asia, especially when compared to the figures of the firs...

Oct202017 by Our EditorNo Comments

TAX HOLIDAY: NIMASA Appeals Against Enforcing Judgment

Business, Law

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has appealed the judgment of the Federal High Court Lagos in the matter between Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Attorney General of the Federation, Global West Vessels Specialists Ltd and NIMASA. The Agency filed the appeal with an application to stay the execution of the judgment and restrain NLNG, pending the determination of the appeal. The appeal and stay was filed even before receiving the Certified True Copy of the judgment 14 days after the judgment was delivered in line with legal provisions. This proactive step of the Agency was taken to forestall any negative action, yet the NLNG ignored this court action and commenced a media trial. In the grounds of Appeal by NIMASA’s legal team, the Agency complained ...

Oct202017 by Our EditorNo Comments

Fashola in Pains Over Apapa Gridlock

Business, Law

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, Thursday said that he was deeply concerned about the Apapa gridlock, adding the problem has given him with sleepless nights. Fashola who spoke during a stakeholders meeting said he was even more worried now as Christmas approaches. He said that his concern has to do with the amount of suffering that many companies, residents and other individuals have been facing as a result of the gridlock. He said that importers and exporters need to understand the pain they cause people of Lagos as the current road repair is being carried out, adding that they ought to think of what can ease the pain. He suggested other ports outside Lagos, including Calabar and Warri, but noted that these seaports may not be convenient. Fashola ...

Oct202017 by Our EditorNo Comments

Intels’ Boss Apologises to NPA, Says Company Will Comply with TSA Policy

Business, Politics, Port News

Says firm remains committed to Badagry deep seaport By Eromosele Abiodun The founder and majority shareholder of Intels Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s oil and gas logistics giant with operations in Onne, Rivers State, Warri, Delta State and Lagos, Mr. Gabriele Volpi, has apologised to the federal government and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) over the spat that led to the termination of the Pilotage Agency Agreement between his company and NPA. Speaking exclusively to THISDAY Thursday evening, the normally reticent Volpi, who holds dual Italian and Nigerian citizenship, said he was not involved in the negotiations between his firm and NPA over the disagreement on the pilotage agreement but was apologetic for the misunderstanding that had taken place. He also resolved to ensu...

Oct192017 by Our EditorNo Comments

PSG May Snatch Mourinho from Manchester United

Sports

Even with speculations from the UK Sun that Paris Saint-Germain are targeting Jose Mourinho, Manchester United are reportedly not in a hurry to renew the contract of its manager. The English tabloid newspaper had reported that Mourinho is a target of the French league side which recently splashed record-breaking fee on Neymar to switch from FC Barcelona. It is further speculated that the fee that would be offered to lure Mourinho out of Manchester United will be very tempting. Mourinho is also reportedly fuelling the speculations after he admitted to Telefoot that he did not plan to end his career at Old Trafford, whilst talking up football in Paris. But Manchester United are not panicking, however, with ESPN claiming initial talks have been held over the former Chelsea boss extendin...

Oct192017 by Our EditorNo Comments

NPA-INTELS Pilotage Service Contract Does Not Violate Constitution, Says Importers Association

Business, Law, Politics

Amiwero: NPA has no right to terminate contract Maritime workers fell FG to resolve face-off now Termination of contract will impact negatively on revenue, efficiency at Onne port The Nigerian Importers Integrity Association (NIIA) has weighed in on the controversy trailing the termination of the pilotage service agreement signed between oil and gas logistics giant, INTELS Nigeria Limited and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) arguing that the contract is legal, constitutional and similar to the joint venture agreements signed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) with the International Oil Companies (IOCs). NIIA President, Godwin Onyekazi, also said that termination of the contract will impact negatively on government revenue and on efficiency at Onne Port....