News
Oyetola commissions landmark projects at NIWA
…commends NIWA’s management for bringing Water Transportation Code to fruition.
By Seun Ibiyemi
The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, HE Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, embarked on a one-day working visit to the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Lokoja, Kogi State.
The Minister also inaugurated several landmark projects aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities and safety standards of Nigeria’s inland waterways during the visit.
In his address, Oyetola emphasized the critical role of the maritime sector in improving Nigeria’s balance of trade, strengthening the naira, and creating employment.
“The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is determined to maximize the comparative advantages our maritime resources present,” in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, he stated.
A key achievement celebrated during the visit was the long-awaited Water Transportation Code. This new regulatory framework is expected to significantly standardize water transportation, minimize accidents, and provide a structured environment for potential investors.
The Minister commended NIWA’s management for their efforts in bringing this vital code to fruition.
The projects inaugurated include fifteen boats of varying capacities and purposes, designed to enhance surveillance, safety enforcement, and emergency response on Nigeria’s waterways. Notably, the fleet comprises three surveillance boats, five safety enforcement boats, a gun patrol boat, a 62-seater passenger boat as a pilot scheme to replace traditional wooden canoes, three water ambulances, and two hydrographic survey boats equipped with multi-beam echo sounders.
“These initiatives fulfill our commitment to ensuring our inland waterways are well-utilized for both cargo shipment and passenger transportation,” Minister Oyetola remarked.
He also pledged to address both internal and external challenges impeding NIWA’s operations, ensuring continuous improvement and expansion of navigable waterways.
While discussing the ministry’s future plans, the Minister revealed the goal to increase navigable waterways by at least 2,000 kilometers through comprehensive dredging. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to finalize the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), which aims to support the development of the maritime sector.
The Minister called upon the private sector to invest in and partner with the government, leveraging the numerous opportunities within the maritime industry to foster sustainable development.
“We will continue to create an enabling environment, develop supportive policies, and offer necessary assistance to grow the Inland Waterways segment,” he assured.
Speaking on the occasion, Kogi Governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo, represented by his deputy, Comrade Salifu Joel, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing the right person as NIWA’s MD.
He further said “When we were coming here, our people asked where we were going, I told them we were going to a NIWA’s event. They asked, ‘which one is NIWA?’ This means until now, no one knows NIWA. But we know NIWA now because the President has appointed the right person that is making impact.”
In his welcome address, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, the Managing Director/CEO of NIWA, expressed gratitude for the Honourable Minister’s support and guidance in driving organizational reforms and enhancing operational efficiency. He outlined the agency’s proactive measures, including the implementation of education grants, promotion letters, and medical packages for staff, to boost morale and productivity.
Mr. Oyebamiji also highlighted NIWA’s initiatives in public engagement, emergency response, and enforcement, culminating in the launch of the first phase of water marshal initiatives. These efforts, coupled with the unveiling of the Transportation Code, he said, underscore NIWA’s commitment to ensuring the safety and efficiency of inland water transportation.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Oloruntola Olufemi, commended the the NIWA management for the feat achieved so far and encouraged it to do more. He also assured NIWA of the ministry’s support in actualising its mandate.
After the minister’s address, he officially inaugurated the newly-completed projects, marking a significant step forward in the development of Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure.
Axxela Limited, sub-Saharan Africa’s leading gas and power portfolio company, has announced another impressive safety milestone.
The company has now achieved 8 million man-hours with no lost time injury (LTI), surpassing the previous 7 million man-hours LTI milestone achieved in 2023.
The landmark achievement further affirms its strict adherence to best practices and safety standards across its assets management, operations, and people practices.
Commenting on this milestone achievement, Bolaji Osunsanya, the Chief Executive Officer of Axxela Limited, expressed his satisfaction with this recent achievement, “We are proud of this significant safety milestone, which underscores our deliberate focus on maintaining the highest standards in our environmental, health, safety, and quality management system. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our entire team, who continuously strive to create a safe and secure working environment for everyone.”
Osunsanya continued, “Achieving 8 million LTI-free manhours is not just a statistical feat, but a reflection of our unwavering commitment to operational excellence and the well-being of our direct and indirect workforce. It reinforces our position as a leader in our industry and motivates us to aim even higher, ensuring that safety remains at the core of our operations. We make good to say it propels us forward with renewed vigor and confidence in our journey towards sustainable growth and excellence.”
John Okoro, Head of Environmental, Health, Safety, and Quality (EHSQ) in his remarks, “Maintaining a safe working environment is not merely a priority for us; it is a core part of our corporate culture that has been embedded into all our processes. This achievement also echoes the effectiveness of our safety protocols, training programmes, and effective oversight of our project management. We are not resting on our laurels but will remain dedicated to our cause to uphold stringent standards of safety performance and ensure that every service provider, partner, employee, and other stakeholders return home safely to their loved ones.”
Axxela remains ever-alert to reducing the risks within its operations. The company views the health and safety of employees, contractors, and the environment as a top priority as governed by its water-tight Environmental, Health, Safety, and Quality (EHSQ) management system. It continues to subscribe to national and global standards while embracing innovative strategies to help staff live safer and fuller lives at work and beyond.
About Axxela
Axxela Limited (Axxela) is the pioneer private sector developer of natural gas solutions and captive power development in Nigeria; a company co-owned by Helios Investment Partners LLP and Sojitz Corporation. Axxela is a designated natural gas shipper on the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), and a member of the West African Power Pool (WAPP), delivering natural gas to about 200 industrial and commercial customers via a vast network of natural gas infrastructure.
With over 360km in natural gas pipeline infrastructure built, Axxela provides unique energy solutions primarily through its subsidiaries: Gaslink Nigeria Limited, Gas Network Services Limited, Central Horizon Gas Company Limited, and Transit Gas Nigeria Limited.
By Matthew Denis
All is now set for the commencement of the Orientation Course programme for 2024 Batch ‘B’ Stream One set of Corps Members.
The prospective Corps Members are to access their call-up letters on their dashboards today.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Prospective Corps Members are to report to their various Orientation camps between Wednesday, 26th and Monday, 1st July, 2024 while the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to hold on Tuesday 2nd July, 2024.
In addition to the above, the Director General, Brigadier General YB Ahmed advised all the Prospective Corps Members to be security conscious as they travel to their Orientation Camps. He also appealed to all parents and guardians to ensure that their wards do not travel at night.
The Director General wishes all the Prospective Corps Members and other camp officials journey mercy to the Orientation Camps.
Ogun state Pilgrims have started returning to the country after having successfully completed this year’s Hajj.
The first batch of the State’s 934 pilgrims to this year’s annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia started arriving yesterday, while others are expected today, June 26.
Governor Abiodun in a statement on Tuesday, described their stay in the Holy Land as worthwhile as it was in fulfilment of one of the five pillars of the Islamic religion.
He praised the pilgrims for their peaceful conduct, adding that Ogun State did not suffer any casualty, despite the huge number of deaths recorded this year.
Prince Abiodun called on the pilgrims to let the spiritual journey strengthen their faith and connection to the Islamic tenets.
“On behalf of the good people of Ogun State, I welcome our dear pilgrims back home. Your successful completion of the Hajj is a testament to your devotion and commitment to your faith. We are proud of you and grateful for your safe return.
“Our government is ready to continue providing logistics support to our pilgrims for seamless and spiritually enriching experiences during the Hajj,” he said.
It would be recalled that Prince Abiodun paid the shortfall of N119,560,712.70 in the pilgrims Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) as a result of unexpected vagaries in the foreign exchange rates.
While NAHCON used N1,252.01 per dollar to calculate hajj fare (BTA inclusive) to give $500 as BTA to each pilgrim, the CBN released BTA at N1,530.86 per dollar, which gave each pilgrim $415 instead of $500 earlier proposed.
Going by this development and in order to give each pilgrim $500 at the new exchange rate of N1,530.86 per dollar, the differential to be paid for the State’s 934 pilgrims stood at N119,560,712.70.
Axxela records 8 million man-hours with no lost time injury
NYSC commences orientation camp for Batch B corpers today
