WABOTAN

WABOTAN Launches #10 Million Multipurpose Cooperative Society for Boat Operators 

… Inaugurates Lagos Chapter Executives 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Just as the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association (WABOTAN) celebrated its newly created Ten Million Naira (#10, 000, 000) worth Multipurpose Cooperative Society for it’s members in order to alleviate their financial challenges in boat operations, the association has also inaugurated it’s Lagos State Chapter Executives which includes; Comrade Doubrah Jacob as State Chairman, Abraham Mesu as Vice Chairman, State Secretary is Ganiyu Jinadu.

Other New executives are; Aiyeyemi Omosuyi as State Assistant Secretary, Oluwaseyi Samuel as State Treasurer, William Emasoga as State Financial Secretary, the State Public Relations Officer is Ramon Babatunde, while the Provost is Daniel Abayo.

Speaking on the inauguration, WABOTAN President, Tope Fajemirokun said the step is necessary in order to concretize the association’s organogram.

“In this association, we have an organogram where we have the BOT, National, States and Zones. We are just coming up, the BOT has inaugurated the National body, so, today the National body is also inaugurating the state body so that they can carryout state activities, the National body cannot be everywhere, the State executives have to control matters concerning the state.

“We expect them to work closely with the Lagos State Government, regulators and boat operators at their own state level and their must not be any conflict of interest. As National President, I cannot be doing the work of state executives.

"What we are targeting now is membership drive, we want to reach out to more boat drivers and expose them to our plans for the profession and for the waterways” he said

The association has also launched a sticker for all members to be placed on their boats so as to ensure identification.

“We are compiling the data base of all our members which we would send to the regulatory authorities, once the boat number or membership member of the boat is imputed in their system, it would bring out all information” Fajemirokun added.

Also speaking, Chairman Board of Trustees (BOT) of WABOTAN, Comrade Paul Gwam stated that the association is now targeting the establishment of executives in all litoral states, even up to the North.

Comrade Gwam said the inauguration of the state chapter executives is to assist the National Executive which is already on ground, so that they can address some of the challenges on ground, by so doing, the national executives can concentrate on other national matters.

His words, “When you are given a position, it is for a responsibility, maybe the people were sleeping before, but right now, they have to meet up with the challenges ahead of them, especially from the boat drivers.

“For instance, we have been calling them for their certification, we have done a lot of courses for them to get their basic mandatories and have their drivers license, but they are adamant to come for that test, it is not a written test but oral.

“We have done about three training programmes for them, we want them to get their certificate which would even allow them to drive within the West Coast, it would also give them some sense of belonging, this is because some of the operators drive recklessly.

“The State executives and his Excos should be able to tackle all these challenges with state agencies like NIWA, NIMASA and LASWA.

“We hope to reciprocate this inauguration in other parts of the country, even up North, it’s just a matter of time, very soon you would be hearing us in Lokoja, Bayelsa and so on, ” he said. 

On his part, the newly inaugurated Lagos State Chairman, Comrade Doubrah Jacob promised that his executives would promote safety and peace on the Lagos waterways and to represent the less privileged.

He also called on boat operators to join WABOTAN for more progress.

“We have been on this project to ensure that there is safety on the waterways and to improve the way we passenger people from one place to another.

We are not in competition with any group, within a short time people would see what we are up to.

“We are having training programs ahead of us to teach our members on how to handle life jackets and how to identify original ones that can enable people float on the water in case their is any accident, we shall have these life jackets tested and trusted before we give it out to people.

“Also, a lot of boat operators because of the economic situation of the country cannot change their life jackets and it has become so dirty, we are going to work on all these areas, so that whoever is entering into the boat would know that he is entering a clean atmosphere, cleanliness is very important” he maintained.

However, on the cooperative Society, Mr. Tope Fajemirokun stated that the Multipurpose Cooperative Society has been officially inaugurated by the Lagos State Government two months ago.

“In an association, you cannot just be collecting money from your members, on the state level, they would ask you one question, what is your capacity?

The corporative society is coming up for us to generate more money and for our members to make more money and the least share a member can buy to join the society is #25, 000,” he added. 

CRFFN Registrar Story

CRFFN Registrar’s bid for Second Term faces Doom 

ZAINAB JUNAID

Strong indications have emerged that the Registrar of the Council for the Registration of Freight Forwarding practice in Nigeria (CRFFN), Samuel Nwakohu, might not win the heart of his fellow members following his last minutes efforts to bid for a second term tenure in office as the head of the freight forwarding regulatory body.

The outgoing Registrar, Mr. Nwakohu, who was appointed in February 2019, is expected to officially leave office in February 2023 after successfully completing his four years tenure. Information at our disposal revealed that he has written the regulatory body to declare his intention for second term tenure late last year but the move was not welcome by majority of the freight forwarders as they declared him unqualified, at the first meeting held by the Council on Tuesday, January 10th, 2023 at Rockview Hotel, Apapa Lagos where members deliberated on his second term tenure chances.

It was gathered that, earlier at the December 2022 meeting of the Council in Abuja, where the application letter of the outgoing registrar for a second term tenure was read, a committee was raised to look into his request to return. The committee according to the information gathered, was given two weeks to submit its findings to the council which has the statutory rights to make recommendations on the bid of the Registrar to the Minister of Transportation, Engr Muazu Sambo.

Members were said to have unanimously dismissed the second-term bid of Nwakohu and saw the move as obscene, unwarranted and an insult to the collective psyche of freight forwarders given what they all agreed was his unmitigated failure at the meeting on Tuesday. 

Also in a telephone chat with Standard Times Reporter on this development Tuesday evening, Mr Mukaila Babatunde of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, considered him not effective. 

He said, Nwakowu does not deserve a second term in office as the registrar of CRFFN. His tenure was an unmitigated disaster. He is arrogant. He doesn’t relate well with the freight forwarders, which he was meant to supervise. He is quick to anger. He distanced himself from his immediate constituency. 

“We need someone who is ready to learn, someone who listens to correction, and suggestions without taking Offences. Personally, I do not want to see him (Sam Nwakohu) return as the Registrar of CRFFN,” he declared. 

Another member of the association who spoke in the same vein declared him “Unwanted” as he challenged his inability to achieve greater Value with his four years in office. 

All these among others are likely parameters that can deny him chances of winning the second term bid. 

Police, Tout clash in Ojota, Lagos

One Killed as Police, Tout clash in Ojota, Lagos

ZAINAB JUNAID

A yet-to-be-identified male adult has been killed in a clash between some Touts and the police in the Ojota area of Lagos State on Monday.

The Video of the incident which has gone viral in the early hours of Monday depicted a police van burnt in the ensuing outrage and a dead body of a man lying lifeless on the street at Ojota area. 

Commuters were seen running to safety in the heat of the pandemonium which broke out on Monday morning.

Details later... 

NRC Debunks Shutdown operations Viral stories

 Edo Train Abduction: One Suspect Arrested as a  Victim Escaped

… Government Condemns Attack 

ZAINAB JUNAID

Just as the police command in Edo State on Sunday afternoon confirmed the arrest of one of the suspected herdsmen that attacked and kidnapped scores of passengers waiting to board a train to Warri, Delta State on Saturday evening, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) in an interview with Channels TV on Sunday debunked reports of the suspension of train services on the Itakpe-Warri axis following an attack by gunmen on Ekehen Train Station in the Igbuebem Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State.

 The reports that NRC had suspended operations in the affected state station went viral on social media few hours after the incident happened in Edo State but the Managing Director of NRC, Fidet Okhiria, told Channels Television via telephone that the train services have not been suspended, contrary to reports making the rounds.

He confirmed that there was an attack which the police and the NRC are currently looking into, but said the incident has not disrupted operations at the station.

“As I speak to you now, a train is running,” Okhiria said, adding that the railway corporation is putting in place measures to ensure the safety of passengers.

While speaking on the train station attack, spokesperson for the State Police Command, Chidi Nwabuzor disclosed that the attack which took place on Saturday evening, left many injured but a suspect has been arrested.

According to the Police, the abductors, armed with AK-47 rifles, invaded the train station and shot indiscriminately into the air before abducting scores of intending travellers into the bush.

“Among those kidnapped by the herdsmen were the train station manager, Godwin Okpe, Head of Security, identified simply as Ikhayere, an Igueben community resident, Victor Osarobho and the station ticket clerk, also identified as Akhere,” he said.

Also, at the scene of the incident, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, described the incident as a terrifying situation for the state government.

Nehikhare, noted that immediately the incident occurred, a combined team of military, police, vigilante, and local hunters swung into action and are on the heels of the suspected kidnappers with a view to rescuing the victims, this, in the process led to the arrest of one of the Kidnappers. 

 At the moment, security personnel made up of the military and the police as well as men of the vigilante network and hunters are intensifying search and rescue operations in reasonable radius to rescue the kidnap victims.

” As at 3 pm on Sunday, one suspect has been captured and is helping police with their investigation; One victim out of the victims kidnapped escaped from the hands of the gunmen. We are confident that the other victims will be rescued in the coming hours.” He said. 

The Federal Government  on its part has condemned the attack describing it as a despicable and utterly barbaric kidnapping of passengers at Tom Ikimi Train Station  Igueben Edo State.

In a release by the transportation ministry, the government reassured that the security agencies are making efforts to rescue the kidnapped Train passengers.

“The Nigerian Police is on the trail of the criminals and have mobilised with a view to protecting the lives and property of the remaining passengers.

“The Government is saddened by this unpleasant development and assures of its prompt response to the ugly situation” the statement reads.

Nigeria Customs Service

 Nigeria Customs Service Appoints 3 ACGs, Promotes 1490 Senior Officers 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Board of Directors of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has approved the appointment of three Assistant Comptrollers General (ACGs) as well as the promotion of 1, 490 senior officers of General Duty and Support Staff to various high ranks.

The appointments and promotions took effect from 1st January 2022.

According to a statement issued and signed by the Customs National Public Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada and made available to journalists, the newly appointed Assistant Comptroller-Generals are: ACG Greg Itotoh, ACG Festus Okun and ACG Shuaibu Ibrahim.

Some of the newly promoted Comptrollers are the Customs National PRO, Timi Bomodi; Musa Omale, Zanna Chiroma, Stanley Nwankwo, Ajibola Odusanya, Paul Ekpenyong, Abubakar Umar, Maureen Ajuzieogu, MO Bewaji, among others.

A breakdown of the board’s approval depicted that there are three new Assistant Comptrollers General (ACGs) were appointed; 64 Deputy Comptrollers (DCs) were promoted  to Comptrollers of Customs (CCs), 128 Assistant Comptrollers (ACs) were upgraded to Deputy Comptrollers (DCs), 89 officers were moved from Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSCs) to Assistant Comptrollers (ACs), 220 Superintendents of Customs (SCs) to Chief Superintendent Customs (CSCs), 107 Deputy Superintendents of Customs (DSCs) to Superintendents of Customs (SCs), 302 Assistant Superintendents of Customs I (ASC I) to Deputy Superintendents of Customs (DSCs), 223 Assistant Superintendents of Customs II (ASC II) to Assistant Superintendents of Customs I (ASC I), 357 Inspectors of Customs (ICs) promoted to Assistant Superintendents of Customs II (ASC II). 

Similarly, the Management of Nigeria Customs had earlier approved the promotion of 1, 252 men within the ranks of Inspectors and Customs Assistant cadres.

The Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) congratulated the newly appointed and promoted Officers, and tasked them to redouble their efforts in ensuring the Service achieves its set out goals.

SAHCO is ISO 9001:2015 Certified

 SAHCO Bags ISO 9001:2015 Certification 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Having satisfied necessary requirements in the scope of passengers, Ramp, Cargo, Warehouse handling and other aviation related services, Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) has been awarded International Organization for Standardization (ISO 9001:2015) certificate for Quality Management System.

The certificate is an international standard recognition that identifies requirements for Quality Management System (QMS) which organisations use to demonstrate their ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customers’ and regulatory requirements.

The ISO certificate presented by West Sealand International Nigeria Limited (WSI) to SAHCO and endorsed by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) a worldwide association that is interested in conformity assessment in the fields of management systems, products, processes, services, personnel, validation and verification and other similar programmes of conformity assessment; is expected to expire in 2025

While speaking at the presentation ceremony, Mr. Basil Agboarumi, Managing Director of SAHCO noted that SAHCO is used to undergoing audits for international certifications and is glad that the ISO 9001:2015 certification came to reality. 

He affirmed that as an aviation ground handling company, SAHCO always ensured its IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) certification is up-to-date and that SAHCO is RA 3 certified which is a requirement for all European bound freight handlers.

He appreciated Co workers for making the achievement a reality within a shorter period.

“Being ISO certified shows that SAHCO is indeed committed to providing safe, speedy, and efficient services to the satisfaction of all clients and would-be clients,” Basil said. 

Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of WSI, Mr. Ope Balogun expressed appreciation towards all staff of SAHCO, saying he is proud to be associated with SAHCO, that not all organisations that start the ISO 9001:2015 complete the process. 

Balogun maintained, “This achievement shows the level of commitment and dedication of all staff towards ensuring  a scaled through process for the certificate. It depicted Cordial relationship between the head and all subordinates of the company.”

NSIB UPDATE

 NSIB releases seven accident reports, issues safety recommendations to Agencies 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

In a bit to meet up new responsibilities, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau(NSIB) has simultaneously released seven final reports of air mishaps that occurred within the Nigerian airspace and also issued twenty (20) safety recommendations to the Aviation regulatory bodies in order to prevent future recurrence. 

The first under its new name, the reports, according to the Director-General of the Bureau, Engr Akin Olateru, in a virtual meeting held with stakeholders on Thursday, are the serious incident involving Bristow Helicopters Nigeria LTD, Embraer 135 Aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-BSN which occurred at Port Harcourt military Airport (NAF BASE), Port Harcourt, on the 9th March 2020; the serious incident involving ATR-72 Aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N- BPG owned and operated by Overland Airways limited, which occurred at Ilorin International Airport, Nigeria on 29th November 2014; the serious incident involving Boeing 737-300 Aircraft belonging to Air Peace Limited with nationality and registration Marks 5N-BUO which occurred at FL310 en route Enugu from Lagos on 14th December 2018 and the serious incident involving British Aerospace BAE 125-800B Aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-BOO operated by Gyro Aviation limited, which occurred at Port Harcourt, Nigeria on 16th July 2020. 

Others are the serious incident involving British Aerospace BAE 125-800B aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-BOO operated by Gyro Aviation limited, which occurred at Osubi airstrip, Warri, Nigeria on 10TH September 2020; the serious incident involving a Dornier 328-100 aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-DOX, operated by Dornier Aviation Nigeria AIEP (DANA) Limited, which occurred at Port Harcourt military Airport on 23rd January 2019 and the serious incident involving Airbus 330-243 aircraft operated by Middle East Airlines with nationality and registration marks OD-MEA and a parked Boeing 777 aircraft operated by Turkish Airlines with nationality and registration marks TC-LJC which occurred at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos on 29th July 2020.

The newly released reports make a total of 82 aircraft accident reports released by the Bureau since its establishment in 2007 and a total of 63 reports released by the current administration from 2017 to date.

Engr Olateru also confirmed that a lot of activities were going on in the background with five years development plans for the agency.

On the safety recommendations, he said, "The Bureau has released a total of two hundred and seventy two ( 272) safety recommendations since the inception of the Bureau of which a total of One hundred and ninety one (191) of the recommendations were equally released by the current management.

“NSIB is committed to quality investigation of accident and serious incident through improving of processes, human capacity and equipment, among others.

“We remain committed through improving our processes, human capacity and equipment, to fulfil our mandate effectively, purposefully, and professionally."