Tuesday, March 19Nigeria's Authoritative Maritime News Magazine
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Month: March 2022

Bayelsa Govt, IFDC signs MOU on 5 key projects

Bayelsa Govt, IFDC signs MOU on 5 key projects

News Feature, Press Release
  Bayelsa State Government and the International Finance & Development Corporation (IFDC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to invest in five different high impact and key infrastructural projects in different parts of Bayelsa State. The USA-based IFDC is mobilizing funds and resources to invest and finance a 10 MTPA capacity LNG project, 35,000 - 45,000 barrels per day capacity GTL project, 500 MW Gas to Power plant and Deep Sea Port and Port city development projects in the State. The preliminary estimated total project cost is $17.5 Billion USD. The President and CEO of IFDC, Mr. Kazi H. Ahmed, mandated Mr. Michael Hartman, from Germany as representative of IFDC to tidy up the investment plan and sign the agreement with the Bayelsa State Government. Mr. H...
Hadiza Bala Usman: End of an Era of Impunity

Hadiza Bala Usman: End of an Era of Impunity

News Feature, Port News
When a leader encourages the culture of impunity, the society is lost and it makes the work harder for the rest of us – Wole Soyinka. Industry watchers were shocked when in July 2016, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman was named Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). She thus became the first woman in the history of the agency to be appointed into that exalted office. Her appointment was a replacement for Abdullahi Habib whose second coming was aborted following irreconcilable differences with his Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi. Habib, who was sacked at the twilight of the Jonathan administration, was recalled to his former job six months after Mallam Ado Bayero took over from him. Hadiza’s appointment was received with mixed feelings, especially by stakeholders w...
NPA Top Job: How Amaechi Floored Kaduna Mafia

NPA Top Job: How Amaechi Floored Kaduna Mafia

News Feature, Politics, Port News
The week and months leading to the dethronement of Hadiza Bala Usman at Marina House unravelled like the epic biblical battle between David and Goliath. While Hadiza Bala Usman drummed up the entire war chest of the famed Kaduna Mafia, Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation, had the backing of a little-known Kebbi Mafia, featuring Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami as its Consigliere. It was the classic setting for a battle of wits between the proud, powerful and established order confronted by an emerging force seeking to usurp the status quo. Kaduna Mafia, for the records, was founded in 1966 by a group of Nigeria’s northern intelligentsia made up of civil servants, businessmen and top military officers who resided or conducted activ...
Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi: A Minister’s Last Laugh

Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi: A Minister’s Last Laugh

News Feature, Port News
That only death can be worse than betrayal is an age-long aphorism; and for more than two and half years into the five-year tenure of Ms Hadiza Bala Usman as Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), this was the burden Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi had to contend with. Rotimi Amaechi did not know jack about Hadiza until Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El Rufai introduced her to the Buhari Campaign Council in 2014. And true to the recommendations, Hadiza proved in the various tasks assigned to her that she could be relied upon. She came into the Buhari Campaign Council with very brilliant ideas which endeared her to Amaechi. “I found in Hadiza an unquestionable passion for excellence in Project Nigeria. Her contributions to discussions at various sessions were top-no...
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NAVY COMMENDS NIMASA ON DEEP BLUE PROJECT  … As Project earns international recognition.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NAVY COMMENDS NIMASA ON DEEP BLUE PROJECT … As Project earns international recognition.

Misc
The Chairman House Committee on the Nigerian Navy Honorable Yusuf Gagdi has commended the Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, for its commitment to transparency in its execution of the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure also known as the Deep Blue Project. This commendation was made today when the Agency’s Management appeared before the House Committee on Navy currently investigating the Deep Blue Contract awarded to the HLS International Limited by Nigeria. “We in the Committee of the Navy commend your Management team at NIMASA for providing all documents we have requested for. It shows that you have nothing to hide”. Our desire is to ensure public funds are spent not only in public interest but in accor...
Why we are amending the NIMASA Act and the Cabotage Act…Gbajabiamala

Why we are amending the NIMASA Act and the Cabotage Act…Gbajabiamala

Maritime, News Feature
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honorable Femi Gbajabiamila Tuesday announced that the 9thAssembly embarked on the Amendment of the NIMASA Act 2007 and the Cabotage Act 2003 due to the need to improve the regulatory instruments in the Nigerian maritime sector to meet the need of current realities. Honorable Gbajabiamila stated this while declaring open the two day public hearing by the House Committee on Maritime Safety Education and Administration on the Merchant Shipping Act, Repeal and Enactment Bill 2021, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act Repeal & Enactment Bill 2021, Coastal & Inland Cabotage Amendment Bill 2020. The Speaker noted the need for appropriate regulation of the Nigerian maritime industry in tune with realities of the times to ensur...
WHY WE MUST JOIN FORCES TO RESCUE NIMASA….League of Fmr NIMASA DGs

WHY WE MUST JOIN FORCES TO RESCUE NIMASA….League of Fmr NIMASA DGs

Maritime, News Feature
It what looked like a tale of woes, some past Directors General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, took a retrospective look at the history of the Agency and concluded that NIMASA has fallen far short of the expectations and needs of industry stakeholders , despite its modest achievements but require a rejig of it's laws to give it the power to bark and bite. This unanimous verdict was thrown up yesterday by the former helmsmen of Agency, as the House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Administration commenced a public hearing on a bill to ammend both the NIMASA Act and the Cabotage Act. The three past Directors General who spoke at the public hearing included Arc Ferdinand Agu, Mfon Usoro and Prince Temi Omatseye. Mrs Mfon Usoro who was pioneer Directo...
Gov Diri Hails Teachers As Alumni Raise Funds for Alma Mater

Gov Diri Hails Teachers As Alumni Raise Funds for Alma Mater

Education
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said teachers play a very significant role in the moulding of their students to become leaders. He said leaders and professionals could not have been successful in their careers without the discipline and tenacity of teachers. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, said the governor spoke on Saturday night at the gala/awards of the alumni of his alma mater, Government Secondary School, Odi in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state. The event held at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa, was to raise funds for the building and equipping of the school's science laboratories as part of activities marking its 50th anniversary celebrations. The Bayelsa governor urged...
Governor Diri Visits Bayelsa Queens, Directs Relocation Of Camp

Governor Diri Visits Bayelsa Queens, Directs Relocation Of Camp

Sports
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, yesterday made a surprise visit to the camp of the state-owned female football team, Bayelsa Queens, to motivate the players. Not impressed with the state of facilities, Governor Diri directed the immediate relocation of the players from the camp to a more suitable place pending the provision of a permanent camp. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as saying the state government will take steps to provide a befitting permanent site for both Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens. The governor also directed that necessary steps be taken to ensure the immediate release of the bus for the female team. He expressed surprise that the bus was yet to be released to the team even after speaking to the supplier....
Gov Diri Inaugurates Road, Secondary School Projects In Obogoro *Says Community’s Erosion Control Project On Course

Gov Diri Inaugurates Road, Secondary School Projects In Obogoro *Says Community’s Erosion Control Project On Course

Education, News Feature
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has inaugurated a newly built internal road and a secondary school in Obogoro community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state. Speaking during the inauguration of the projects, Governor Diri recalled how pathetic the road and school were during his previous visit to the area, a condition he said necessitated the decision of the government to embark on the projects. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying his administration will continue to deliver on its promises to bring development to people of the state. He commended the paramount ruler and people of the community for their support to government and ensuring that the projects were hitch-free, saying such support will be rewar...