43,000 passengers use Lagos waterways daily, says Sanwo-Olu – Newstrends
Connect with us

Maritime

43,000 passengers use Lagos waterways daily, says Sanwo-Olu

Published

on

  • Inaugurates data centre, rescue unit

Over 43,000 people are now using the waterways to commute in Lagos State, the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu,has said.

He attributed the rise in waterways passengers in the state to the state investment in water transportation.

Sanwo-Olu stated this on Friday at the inauguration of the state’s Waterways Monitoring and Data Management Centre (WMDMC) at the Five Cowrie Terminal – headquarters of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) – in Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The Data Management Centre, which is a centralised monitoring base for all activities on the Lagos waterways, is expected to enhance security and improve inland waterways transportation network in the state.

Traffic gridlock is a common phenomenon in Lagos and according to the governor, traffic management/ transportation remains core of his administration’s economic development plan.

He added that in the last three years, waterways transport had been given special attention as part of the efforts to create multimodal transportation system in the state.

Sanwo-Olu said, “We have invested so much in LASWA that today, we are beginning to see the effects. Over the past three years, daily commuter ridership has increased to 43,000 passengers and over 1.4 million passengers yearly. There has also been a visible reduction in boat mishaps achieved through our massive intervention in safety equipment and donations of free lifejackets across the 15 local government areas accessible by water.”

The governor also inaugurated LASWA Search and Rescue Unit (SAR), which will be responsible for patrolling and enforcing the State’s waterways rules and regulation, stressing that activation of the monitoring gadgets and infrastructure will consolidate the government efforts in making the state waterways safer for its users.

“In the last three and half years, our administration has invested massively in waterways infrastructure and assets to deliberately encourage and promote water transportation in Lagos. Our gathering today is to further deepen our commitment to have a safe and secure ferry operation on our waterways. We are commissioning a big command and control centre specifically established to monitor and protect our waterways,” he said.

“We are inaugurating the newly created Search and Rescue Unit that will be patrolling and enforcing our waterways rules and regulation. We are handing over two additional patrol boats and safety enhancements. We are also launching advanced D.J.I. Aerial Drone, BlueEye Pro drone for underwater searches, and U-SAFE rescuing gadgets.

“These gadgets are acquired and installed to consolidate our efforts in making our waterways safer for its users and making monitoring activities seamless. It also demonstrates our unparalleled commitment to providing a viable alternative transport solution that will complement other modes. This is the investment we will continue to make, in addition to building additional jetties. In the coming weeks, we will be commissioning eight newly built jetties out of the 15 we are currently building.”

Maritime

Tinubu names ex-LAMATA boss as new NIMASA DG

Published

on

Tinubu names ex-LAMATA boss as new NIMASA DG

President Bola Tinubu has named Dr Dayo Mobereola as the director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

This came after the exit of Dr Bashir Jamoh, whose tenure recently expired.

The announcement is contained in a statement issued Tuesday night by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity.

The statement said, “Dr Mobereola holds a Ph.D, and an M.Sc in Transport Economics from the University of Wales, United Kingdom. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport, England, and a fellow of the same institute in Nigeria.”

“He was the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) from 2003 to 2015 and was also the Commissioner for Transportation in Lagos State from 2015 to 2016.

“In the private sector, he was Deputy Managing Director and Project Development Director at AFM Consulting Plc, London. He was also Senior Economist at British Petroleum Shipping Limited, London.”

The special adviser said Tinubu expects Mobereola to bring his vast experience to bear in his new role under the leadership of Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of marine and blue economy.

Continue Reading

Maritime

NIMASA DG Jamoh tenure expires, Offodile takes charge

Published

on

NIMASA DG Jamoh tenure expires, Offodile takes charge

 

Outgoing Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh, has handed over the affairs of the agency to Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Chudi Offodile.

This is after the expiration of Jamoh’s tenure on March 10, 2024.

A statement signed by NIMASA spokesman, Edward Osagie, said the outgoing NIMASA DG expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for giving him the opportunity to serve in the capacity and urged the next leadership of the agency to consolidate on the gains of the past four years.

“I wish to express gratitude to Almighty Allah and the Federal Government for the privilege given me to serve Nigeria in this capacity, as I count myself a privileged Nigerian to have occupied this position, while also contributing my quota to the Nigerian maritime sector.

“Let me also use this opportunity to assure the staff of the agency that wherever I am, I will still remain a part of this family; a place I have spent the active 30 years of my life,” Jamoh said.

Continue Reading

Auto

Customs give 90-day grace to clear improperly-imported vehicles

Published

on

Customs give 90-day grace to clear improperly-imported vehicles

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has granted a 90-day window for those who improperly imported vehicles into the country to clear them.

Spokesman for the NCS Mr. Abdullahi Maiwada announced this in a statement on Sunday.

The new window, he said, was in line with a directive of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.

Maiwada said, “This initiative applies solely to vehicles imported into Nigeria where the requisite customs duty has not been fulfilled or vehicles detained due to undervaluation.

“While we strive for inclusivity, it is important to clarify that vehicles seized and condemned will not be released under this arrangement and shall be forfeited to the Federal Government in accordance with extant regulations.

“All vehicle owners, Importers/agents seeking to regularise import duties on their vehicles are required to apply to the Zonal Coordinators (Zones A, B, C, D) and CAC FCT Command.

“They must submit the necessary available documents and process Vreg in line with the Federal Ministry of Finance directives for the registration of imported motor vehicles.

“Valuation and assessment of the vehicles will be carried out using the VIN valuation method.”

For the affected vehicles, he said that Import Duty and a 25% penalty shall be paid in tandem with the import guidelines, procedures, and documentation requirements for used vehicles under the Destination Inspection Scheme in Nigeria (2013) and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

In addition, the spokesman said duty payments must be made using the Procedure Code specifically created for this exercise.

He said, “This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to facilitating compliance. We encourage all stakeholders to capitalize on this opportunity within the stipulated timeframe.”

Continue Reading

Trending

Skip to content