September 2024 – Shipping World News Magazine

Sep262024 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Oil and Gas logistics: AILES GROUP lays the benchmark By ASU BEKS

Recent reports from the World Bank indicate an unprecedented boom in the global logistics and freight market. It is projected that the current freight and logistics chain which will hit about $18.69 billion in 2026 will leap by 4.4 per cent to an all time high of $6.5 trillion in 2027. But how are the developing nations catching in on this boom? The 2023 Logistics Performance Index (LPI) which is the benchmarking tool for helping countries identify challenges and opportunities they face in their performance on trade and logistics and what they can do to improve their performance recently undertook a study of no fewer than 139 countries. The study was to appraise the speeds at which individual nations moved. But sadly, the result of the study did not offer any cheery news for develop...

Sep252024 by Asu BeksNo Comments

BAYELSA BEYOND OIL: Gov Douye Offers Tax Relief, Land *As Gov Bags Georgia Honorary Citizenship

Maritime, News Feature

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said his administration was encouraging investment in the state with incentives such as tax holiday and provision of land. Governor Diri, who was the keynote speaker at the 10th International Forum on African-Caribbean Leadership in New York, United States of America, on Tuesday, also stated that with power now on the concurrent list, his administration was committed to enhancing electricity supply in the state with signing of its electricity law as well as revamping its gas turbines to generate and distribute 24-hour power. The Bayelsa helmsman, who showcased the investment and economic potentialities of the state, averred that its wealth were more in its maritime domain and that the government was diversifying the economy from its ...

Sep202024 by Asu BeksNo Comments

PIUS AKUTAH, MON: From Courtroom To Corporate Boardroom By Asu Beks

News Feature

Some 54 years ago, in a remote village in Benue State, a Pius was born to Mr. and Mrs. and Akutah. Like the dream of every parent, they had hoped that young Pius would grow up to be very successful and prominent in Benue land. Pius was the first of 18 children and spent his early life in Kaduna State where his father served in the Nigerian Army. His early education was in Kaduna before being enrolled back home at the popular Comprehensive High School, Gboko. This separation from the watchful eyes of his dad almost marred his educational career , as his love for soccer blossomed. This saw young Pius dropping out of school several times. Notwithstanding, his first career choice was to be an accountant "with lots of money in my pocket". But this was not to be. As a destiny child, Pius A...

Sep132024 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Gov Douye Diri To Tinubu: You Must Take Both Liabilities and Assets of Agip Oil

News Feature

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has implored Oando Energy Resources Nigeria Limited, which recently acquired the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), to accept the liabilities and not just the assets of the oil firm it bought over. Governor Diri said this was the only way to end the frosty relationship between the former company and its host communities. The Bayelsa governor stated this on Thursday during the courtesy visit of the management team of Oando Energy to Government House, Yenagoa. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as calling on the Oando management to right the wrongs of the divested company by addressing issues of employment, contractual benefits, security jobs and environmental pollution. The Bayelsa helms...

Sep132024 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Blue Economy: Bayelsa, stakeholders conclude marine policy draft … as SSG, Chief of Staff visit

Maritime, News Feature

The Bayelsa State Government has concluded a successful 4-day Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting aimed at drafting a comprehensive policy framework for the development of the Marine and Blue Economy sector. Hosted by the State Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the event brought together experts, and stakeholders in the sector to deliberate on the development of a robust policy that will guide the Ministry's operations. The meeting focused on addressing gaps, challenges and measures to explore the huge potential within the marine and blue economy sector for an effective policy development. The keynote address delivered on behalf of the Deputy Governor, Bayelsa State by his Chief of Staff, Comr. Gowon Toruyouyei at the opening emphasized the strategic importance of the Marine ...

Sep112024 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Borno flood Disaster: Liberty TV/Radio FMs Chairman commiserates with Borno People

News Feature

The Chairman of Liberty TV and FM Stations Alhaji (Dr. Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan) has commiserated with the People and Government of Borno state over the devastating flood that caused unimaginable havoc in Maiduguri the state Capital In a sympathy Press Statement Ramalan described the incident that cut across Borno State as highly devastating and unprecedented in recent years. “It’s with sympathetic feeling, that critical government institutions such as the Government House, teaching hospital, Shehu of Borno’s Palace, the state secretariat, schools, and business centres were reported to have been affected”. The Chairman added that ”we share your grief, and we are deeply pained by the natural disaster. ”

Sep62024 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Bayelsa State’s Ambitious Draft Marine and Blue Economy Policy By ASU BEKS

News Feature

Having made history as the first among Nigeria's littoral states to create a Marine and Blue Economy Ministry, Bayelsa State again recorded another first when last week it rolled out a draft policy on how to navigate through the stormy waters of her potentially prosperous Marine and Blue Economy. It was not particularly an easy assignment for the technical working group which came out with the draft policy due to the inexplicable fact that even at the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, such a document was not available as a reference point. Another contentious issue was how to navigate through a legal and policy framework for Bayelsa State without infringing on federal maritime laws majority of which fall under the Exclusive Legislative List. About 20 experts from the academ...

Sep62024 by Asu BeksNo Comments

*ANLCA BoT Elections and Matters Arising .By ASU BEKS

Misc, News Feature

The upcoming election into the nine-man Board of Trustees of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents is increasingly getting wide media attention, unprecedented in the 70 years history of the body. This is perhaps the most contentious election in the history of the Association. With a stupendous N1.2 million fee for obtaining the form, there is no doubt that the stakes are very high. But stakeholders are curious about what the eventual winners are likely to benefit from a job with no statutory benefits. Or are we too blind to see the milk and honey which lie ahead of the prospective BoT members? Trust Nigerians, contestants are already making all manner of promises. Some are realistic, while some others are esoteric and laughable. With the elections holding simultaneously i...

Sep62024 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Compt Babatunde Olomu: A “Revenue Doubler” Berths at Apapa Port By Asu Beks

News Feature, Port News

In the history of the Nigeria Customs Service, no officer has achieved the feat accomplished by Compt Babatunde Olomu, the Customs Area Controller for Apapa, who in a single day ,raked in a whopping N16billion. This is the stuff this officer and gentleman is made of. In recent Customs history, it has been the tradition of Comptroller General of Customs to post only the " best" officer within the Comptroller cadre to Apapa . And this is for obvious reasons. As the premier port, Apapa Command accounts for at least 50 per cent of cargo traffic and revenue projection. It was therefore not a surprise that when the time came for a new helmsman to take charge at the command early this year, the mantle of leadership fell on the shoulders of Dr Babatunde Olomu. Before his assumption of dutie...

Sep52024 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Change of Guard at Seme as ACG Timi Bomodi hands over to Compt Kayode.

News Feature

An official change of guard took place yesterday at the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service as ACG Timi Bomodi handed over the baton of leadership to Compt Kolade Kayode . Speaking at the brief but colorful ceremony, Compt Kolade promised to build on the legacies put in place by his predecessor, ACG Bomodi. He vowed not to disappoint CGC Wale Adeniyi for the confidence reposed in him and appealed to the rank and file of officers of the Command to live up to the expectation. Responding, ACG Bomodi thanked CGC Adeniyi for giving him the opportunity to serve as Area Controller, Seme. He promised to reciprocate the confidence reposed on him by his elevation and vowed to do his best