GOWON TO CHAIR CIOTA NATIONAL TRANSPORT SUMMIT

·      As Amaechi, Sirika, Fashola, Others Chart Way Forward for Sector

Former military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd.), would chair the Second National Transport Summit of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA), which starts December 1 in Abuja. CIoTA National President, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, revealed this in Lagos at a press conference ahead of the three-day event ending December 3.  

National President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh (second left); Deputy National President, CIoTA, Mr. Darlington Ofor (left); Chairman, Planning Committee, Second National Transport Summit, Chief Emmanuel Nwagbara (second right); and National Secretary, CIoTA, Mr. Nnamdi Eronini, at a press conference in Lagos on the National Transport Summit of the institute starting December 1 in Abuja.

Dr. Jamoh said the summit would have a full complement of industry stakeholders, who would be brainstorming to chart the way forward for the transport sector. He listed the Special Guests of Honour expected at the conference to include Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi; Minister of Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika; Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Mohammed Musa Bello; and Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemi Saraki. 

The CIoTA national president described the summit as an opportunity to build on the gains of the maiden edition held in December last year. He assured that CIoTA, the foremost and exclusive chartered body designated by legislation to drive the transportation sector in Nigeria, would continue to contribute to the development of sustainable transport infrastructure in the country. The Institute would also address inter-connectivity challenges and funding issues across the sector, Jamoh stated.

Jamoh, who is also Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said the areas of focus for the meeting included rail network, highways and bridges, deep seaports, and airport concession agreements. He described the building of inland ports as a hybrid of innovation and technology for extending the hinterland ports, stating that the rebuilding of Nigeria’s transport infrastructure is on-going on many fronts.

The CIoTA president said, “There are enormous challenges in the effort to develop the transportation sector in the country. These include funding, public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements, institution building, and, lately, COVID-19, which increased the risks of transportation globally. 

“The summit will address these issues, using the expertise and rich industrial experience of the speakers, discussants, and active audience participation.”

Jamoh expressed his optimism that the summit would address the issue of sustainable transportation in Nigeria in relation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), analyse the innovations and current challenges in the air and road transport modes, and discuss the automobile industry in Nigeria as an example of successful indigenous vehicle technology development.

Other Guests of Honour expected at the summit include Director-General of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr. George Moghalu; Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman; Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr. Hassan Bello; Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Engr. Fidet Okhiria; and Managing Director, Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Nuruddeen Abdurrahman Raffindadi. Also expected are Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Commodore Emmanuel Duja Effedua (rtd.); Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria, Dr. Salih Farah Bayero; and Corps Marshall, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi. 

The summit would feature the 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of CIoTA as well as technical sessions and panel discussions to cover a wide range of topics on the country's transport challenges and solutions.

GOWON SEEKS INNOVATIVE WAYS TO REPOSITION TRANSPORTATION

… Condemns Destruction of Public Assets 

… As CIoTA Moves to Professionalise Transportation

 

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), has called for partnership between the public and private sectors in order to come up with innovative ways of resolving the transportation challenge in the country. Gowon spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of the Second National Transport Summit organised by the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA). 

President, Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the 2020 National Transport Summit organized by CIoTA currently ongoing in Abuja while the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr. Hassan Bello looks on.

 

The summit, which brought together experts and stakeholders from across the sector, had the theme, “Building Sustainable Transport Infrastructure in Nigeria: Opportunities, Innovations and Technologies.” 

The former Head of state, who chaired the occasion and addressed the summit virtually, condemned the destruction of public assets in the country during the recent nationwide protests. 

In his welcome address, President of CIoTA, Dr.Bashir Jamoh, said the body was pursuing a national transport development strategy based on a “Transportation Development Tripod,”  comprising professionalism, education, and advocacy. The CIoTA president, who is also Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said there was need to ensure that the transport infrastructure was manned by professionals in the field.

Gowon stated, “The nation must embark on a realistic and honest assessment of our national transport system in Nigeria and reposition the transport sector. Unfortunately, the nation has come under the burden of economic challenge of Covid-19 pandemic and the dwindling oil fortunes, which marred critical impact we ought to have made in order to revitatlise our transportation system in the country.”

 

Gowon called on stakeholders in the sector to join hands to move the transport industry forward.

“I implore all the critical stakeholders in the transport sector, policy makers and technical experts at this summit to think deeply on how we can evolve and create innovative strategies to advance the transport system in the country,” he stated.  “I leave this to the transport experts present at this summit, who will help us to unveil these strategies at this summit for implementation for our transport system,” the former Head of State said.

While commenting on the destruction of public assets following the hijack of the #Endsars protests by hoodlums, Gowon advised that it was in the interest of everyone to support the development of critical sectors, saying people should not resort to destruction in the name of protest.

Gowon said, “We all have to be involved in finding ways to improve the transportation sector in our country, and not to destroy what we have, as recently happened in Lagos during the #EndSARs crisis, when over 150 Lagos buses were destroyed. I think the citizenry; the public have really cautioned themselves not to repeat this sort of thing.” He also said, “We must embark on an intensive campaign to make more public and private sectors accountable and performance-oriented, with a view to providing the citizenry with proficient transport system.” 

Jamoh stated in the address titled, CIoTA: The Journey Begins, “Professionals are known for standards; they are known for doing things the right way. Professionalism is also about right expertise, even in placement of people in positions in our various MDAs, when it comes to transport departments and management of government fleets. 

“We must attract and earn the respect that our transport profession deserves.”

BUHARI TO COMMISSION LAGOS-IBADAN RAILWAY NEXT MONTH

·      FG Committed to Transport Sector Revitalisation – Amaechi

·      Professionalism Key to Quality and Efficiency in Sector, Says Jamoh

 

President Muhammadu Buhari is set to commission the newly constructed Lagos-Ibadan rail line by January 2021. Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the inauguration of recently elected members of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA). Amaechi said Buhari was a committed reformer determined to change the face of transportation in the country.

Minister of Transport Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi (L) receiving a plaque from the President of Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA) Dr. Bashir Jamoh during the second National Transport Summit organized by CIoTA in Abuja.

 

CIoTA President, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, while welcoming the minister, disclosed that the transport sector was moving into a new era of professionalism that was set to usher in excellence across the various modes. 

 

Amaechi said the rail project had been delivered, but its usage would commence before the official commissioning. He also disclosed that he had approved the fares for the route.

 

 According to him, “I just got the mandate from President Buhari that he would commission the Lagos-Ibadan railway in January 2021. However, they should have been operating even before that time. 

“I also have approved the cost of transportation by rail from Lagos to Ibadan. We just transferred the cost, as that of Kaduna, which we think is quite fair.”

 

Amaechi stated that the Buhari administration was committed to reviving and improving the entire transport infrastructure in the country. He stressed that there were already many visible changes, especially in the aviation and maritime subsectors of the transportation industry. 

 

The minister stated, “In the transport sector under this government, a lot is going on, like working to complete the terminals under aviation. I am sure you would have seen changes at the Port Harcourt airport and Abuja. I am sure the Minister of Aviation will tell us very soon when the airport in Kano and the one in Lagos would be completed.”

 

While commending the activities of CIoTA under the leadership of Dr. Bashir Jamoh, Amaechi stated that the Federal Ministry of Transportation would partner with the Institute to encourage professionalism in the transport sector as well as ensure seamless and effective transportation across all modes.

 

In his remarks earlier, Jamoh, who is also Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), lauded the effort of the Federal Government to upgrade the transport infrastructure. He said CIoTA was promoting professionalism and training to aid the government with the right manpower to man the transport infrastructure. 

The CIoTA President stated, “Nigeria has made significant investment in transportation.

“The journey for the Institute has begun. We are building on broad policies anchored on a tripod of professionalism; education, research and development; and advocacy.” 

To ensure professionalism, Jamoh said CIoTA was working hard to empower members with the required skills, knowledge and expertise to man the country’s transportation infrastructure. The Institute is also working with universities and other tertiary institutions to try to build professionalism in the transport sector from the undergraduate level, he said, adding that committees have been set up to follow up on policy recommendations from CIoTA to ensure their implementation.

ANTI-PIRACY WAR: UN APPLAUDS NIGERIA’S LEADERSHIP ROLE

DR. BASHIR JAMOH

DG. NIMASA

·      Celebrates SPOMO Act, Deep Blue Project 

·      We’re Poised to Overcome Maritime Insecurity With Home-grown Solutions – Jamoh

For the second time in about six months, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping, has extolled Nigeria’s leadership role in the quest for security in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG). In a letter addressed to Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, IMO specifically highlighted NIMASA’s contribution to the war against piracy and maritime crimes in the region, including facilitation of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, 2019, and initiation of the Deep Blue Project. It said they were proof of the country’s abiding determination to lead the charge against maritime crimes in the region. 

Jamoh had earlier, in a virtual address to a meeting of the G7++Group of Friends of the Gulf of Guinea (G7++FOGG), expressed Nigeria’s resolve to lead efforts to achieve security in the region. He said Nigeria’s strategy against insecurity in the region would be based on home-grown solutions. But the NIMASA Director-General also sought international cooperation and technical assistance, particularly as regards maritime security strategy and policy development in line with IMO instruments. 

In the letter signed on behalf of the IMO Secretary General, Kitack Lim, by the Director, Maritime Safety Division, Heike Deggim, the United Nations maritime organ praised “the efforts of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for its contribution to the fight against piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea.”

IMO said, “From the successful enactment of new legislation in the form of the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences Act, 2019, complete with the forthcoming Guidelines, to the initiation and implementation of the C4i Deep Blue Project, Nigeria continues to demonstrate its leadership in the region with regard to maritime domain awareness and the enhancement of maritime security amongst littoral States. 

“IMO remains committed to supporting the good work being done by Gulf of Guinea States, such as Nigeria, to improve maritime governance and to enhance maritime security in terms of both current and emerging threats and challenges. It is, therefore, imperative that States adopt a strategic approach, in order to ensure effective implementation and compliance.”

Lim had in June similarly written to Jamoh following the arrest and prosecution of some suspected pirates by Nigeria. The Secretary General said the moves sent a “strong and valuable message” to the international community about Nigeria’s commitment to safety and security in its waters and the Gulf of Guinea.

In the glowing appraisal, Lim said of Jamoh, “I commend your leadership and proactive response. I would also like to reiterate my congratulations to the Nigerian Navy on the successful capture and arrest of pirates from the fishing trawler Hailufeng 11, and more recently on the rescue of the crewmembers of the containership Tommi Ritscher.

“Those actions, together with all the other initiatives you highlighted in our meeting, including progress with the Deep Blue Project, send a strong and valuable message to the international community with respect to the considerable efforts your government is making to curb piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Gulf of Guinea.” 

While addressing the G7++FOGG meeting, Jamoh stressed Nigeria’s efforts to rid the Gulf of Guinea of maritime crime, using local initiatives anchored on the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also called the Deep Blue Project, with the Command, Control, Communication, Computers, and Intelligence Centre (C4i Centre); SPOMO Act; and intensified regional cooperation. He welcomed the support of international bodies and stakeholders, such as the G7++FOGG, but emphasised the imperative of regional collaboration as Nigeria’s preferred strategy 

Jamoh acknowledged the challenge of piracy and armed robbery in the region, but said, “Our solution to the insecurity in the GoG must be home-grown, with GoG countries cooperating amongst themselves. Commitment to this cause must become an imperative.”

The Director-General underlined the country’s determination to direct the war on maritime crimes in the region, stating, “I have often maintained that Nigeria is the Gulf of Guinea and the Gulf of Guinea is Nigeria. We recognise our strategic leadership position and role in the GoG, which has informed the extent of an integrated system of investment to curb criminality in our waters, ranging from enactment of designated legislation to development of human capacity and acquirement of critical hardware and platforms.” 

Jamoh hailed the call by international stakeholders for multi-stakeholder cooperation to contain piracy, kidnapping, and other criminal activities in the Gulf of Guinea. 

According to him, “Nigeria is working with the IMO to develop a National Maritime Security Strategy and in support of this has started work to form a National Maritime Security Committee consisting of the National Security Adviser, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, INTERPOL, Marine Police, and other relevant security agencies. This committee will give focus and strategic direction to our maritime security effort.” 

The G7++FOGG was formed in 2013 during the British presidency of the G7 to support the maritime security architecture developed under the Yaoundé Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct developed by three regional organisations – Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC) – focuses on the Repression of Piracy, Armed Robbery against Ships and Illicit Maritime Activities in West and Central Africa. 

G7++FOGG comprises the G7 countries (Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, France, United Kingdom, and United States of America), and Belgium, Brazil (observer), Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the European Union, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and INTERPOL.

NIMASA e-LIBRARY: OUR CAPACITY-BUILDING COMMITMENT BEYOND RHETORIC – JAMOH

·      Says Library Equipped to Bridge Industry Knowledge Gap

 

As Nigeria moves towards greater role for maritime in the national economy, Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has declared the Agency’s unwavering commitment to capacity-building through its knowledge and research based initiatives. Dr. Jamoh made this known during the official launch of the Agency’s e-library at the Nigerian Maritime Resource Development Centre (NMRDC) in Lagos. He said as a knowledge-based industry with huge opportunities, there was need to encourage research to enable the Nigerian maritime sector reach its full potential.

Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh (second right), cutting the tape to open the NIMASA Knowledge Centre and E-library at the Nigerian Maritime Resource Development Centre (NMRDC) in Lagos, recently. He is flanked by Executive Director, Operations, Mr. Shehu Ahmed (second left); Director, Planning, Research, and Data Management Services, Mr. Anthony Ogadi (left), who represented the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr. Chudi Ofodile; and Head, Library, Aisha Askira. 

 

The Director-General stated, “You would agree with me that maritime is knowledge-based and we cannot afford to be left behind. This is why we have upgraded this library beyond physical books to the electronic ones. The virtual nature of the library makes accessibility of reading materials seamless from any part of the world just with a touch of the button on your phone. We believe this would help Nigeria to diversify its economy and reduce tremendously the oil dependency, as this library is equipped to bridge the knowledge gap in our industry.”

 

Jamoh also said, “By the official opening of the NIMASA Knowledge Centre E-library, we have once again shown beyond rhetoric that the Agency is committed to bequeathing treasured assets to Nigeria, Africa, and the global maritime community.” 

 

He said the library would help to preserve the country’s maritime history and advance the industry, as it would house a lot of reference materials.

“As you know, libraries are not just facilities for warehousing books and periodicals, they are also important cornerstones of a healthy community,” the Director-General stated. He added, “More than just storage spaces for books, libraries are important community hubs that serve as centres of learning, professional development and healthcare, among other benefits.”

 

The NIMASA DG also spoke on the NMRDC, which he said was designed as a training institution for the maritime industry. He likened the resource centre to the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, in Kaduna State, which serves as a training facility for the security services.

 

“It is our hope that the purpose of this centre would be realised,” he stated, adding, “You can see it is designed to harbour students with a 44-apartment guest house where faculties and students can reside comfortably for a training period. It also has a world-class training centre and other facilities that can compete with the best in the world.”

 

MAGASHI: WITH LATEST HARDWARE, WE’RE SET TO OVERCOME INSECURITY IN OUR WATERS

·      Defence Minister, Amaechi, CNS inspect Deep Blue Project facilities 

·      Buhari fulfilling long national dream – transport minister

·      It’s a new dawn for maritime – Jamoh 

L-R: Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd); Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh; during an inspection of maritime security assets, in Lagos, recently.

As Nigeria gets set to deploy maritime security assets acquired under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, members of the Deep Blue Project Steering Committee have visited Lagos, Warri, Benin, and Onne to inspect the assets at the various locations. The delegation, led by Minister of Defence, Maj-Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd), included Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas. They were joined by Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh, and other members of the presidential committee on the inspection tour meant to confirm the readiness of the maritime assets for deployment.

The committee members said they were optimistic about the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also called the Deep Blue Project. They held that from what was on the ground, the project would deliver the national expectation of safety and security in Nigeria’s waters and the Gulf of Guinea.

Speaking to journalists after the inspection concluded at the weekend, Magashi, who is also Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Deep Blue Project, expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness for the launch of the assets. He assured of the Federal Government’s determination to continue to improve security in the country.

Magashi said the specifications of the latest intelligence and military hardware given to the contractors of the security project would be met.

“So far, so good, I think we are on the right course,” he said.

The defence minister added, "Sea piracy is already being tackled by our naval men, whose responsibility is to protect our waterways and they are doing a good job. The Gulf of Guinea is so vast; it involves many countries, with crimes being committed by citizens of these countries. But with the acquisition of these security equipment, we should be able to observe, detect and solve the problem of sea piracy. 

“The navy is already containing the situation. Before now, sea piracy was high, but it has reduced to a situation where I can say we are in control. The implementation of this project will further help in this direction.”

Amaechi said the President Muhammadu Buhari government was fulfilling a critical national aspiration and ambition of a safe and secure maritime environment where investors, tourists, and operators could confidently come to do business. He said it was a dream come true and a special feat, after all the failures of the past administrations.  

The minister disclosed that the training programme for professionals who would man the assets was proceeding as planned, assuring that it would be concluded soon. 

The Director-General of NIMASA, where the Deep Blue Project is domiciled, described the planned assets deployment as the beginning of a new dawn for the Nigerian maritime industry. 

Jamoh stated, “We have come a long way in the achievement of this dream, the dream of staying ahead of the machinations of criminals bent on thwarting our yearning for maximum benefits from the rich maritime resources Nature has endowed us with.

“We are deploying technology and advanced domain awareness techniques to ensure security of our waters, up to the Gulf of Guinea.”    

The key components of the Deep Blue Projects are: air, maritime, and land assets; Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence (C4i) Operation Centre; and the training programme. The C4i Centre has been up and running since last year, while over 80 per cent of the assets have been delivered and are ready for deployment. 

The assets include helicopters, interceptor boats, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Special Mission Aircraft, Special Mission Vessels, and armoured vehicles, which would be operated by a standby intervention team, and linked to the C4i Centre. The centre would also be integrated with the Maritime Intelligence System and the Nigerian Navy’s Falcon Eye for real time monitoring and reporting of activities within the country’s maritime space. 

National Assembly: Despite COVID-19, NIMASA’s Budget Performance Laudable

The House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration has given a thumps up to the budget implementation status of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), saying the Agency has done creditably well, despite the coronavirus pandemic.  Chairman of the committee, Hon. Lynda Ikpeazu, stated this in Lagos during an oversight visit by members to NIMASA.  

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Hon. Lynda Ikpeazu (right), in a tête-à-tête with Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, during an oversight visit to NIMASA by the committee on Monday November 16, 2020

 

Ikpeazu expressed confidence in the current management of NIMASA led by the Director-General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh. She said Dr. Jamoh had laid down a clear roadmap for taking the Agency to greater heights, and pledged the lower chamber’s support.

Jamoh had on assumption of duty as Director-General in March launched a three-pronged agenda for maritime industry development focused on Maritime Safety, Maritime Security, and Shipping Development.   

The House Committee chairman said by that agenda, “The Director-General has laid a good foundation for the committee and the committee is here to monitor the activities of the Agency for 2020 and see how it has performed so far and further legislative assistance that can be brought to bear in order to generate more revenue for the government.”

She added, “The DG of NIMASA is doing his best to ensure that he repositions the Agency to make sure the Agency delivers on its core mandates. We will make sure we give the DG all the necessary support he needs because we have seen him moving towards the right direction and, most especially, he has made it clear to us that he wants to address insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea. The issue of security goes a long way to affect revenue generation in the maritime sector.”

The chairman also revealed that the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act Amendment Bill had gone through First Reading in the House of Representatives. She said the proposed amendment will reflect contemporary issues that would be beneficial to indigenous shipowners in the country.

“A more responsive Cabotage law will stimulate opportunities and policies for giving seafarers jobs and improve on shipbuilding capacity,” Ikpeazu stated.

Jamoh, in his response, thanked the committee for the cooperation and support it had accorded NIMASA. He said on his watch human capacity development in the maritime industry would continue to take pride of place.

The Director-General stated, “Human beings are the most important link in the maritime industry and, at the same time, the weakest and most complicated in the industry. This administration will take the issue of training and capacity development of staff serious and we have gone further to maintain a close relationship with the maritime workers union to ensure that dockworkers are properly trained.”