Maritime Nigeria

Main Menu

  • Home
  • News
  • Interviews
  • Maritime Info
  • Photo Gallery
  • Fact
  • Profiles

logo

Header Banner

Maritime Nigeria

  • Home
  • News
    • NPA Under Dantsoho What Does The Charts Indicate?

      Jun 17, 2025
      0
    • IMO ELECTION: Nigeria Assures On Quality Representation

      Jun 17, 2025
      0
    • Maritime Development: Nigeria, Korea Deepen Collaboration

      Jun 16, 2025
      0
    • Shipping and Plastic Pollution-The Dangers To Humanity

      Jun 16, 2025
      0
    • Ocean Conference: Nigeria Canvases Increased Funding For Developing Nations

      Jun 12, 2025
      0
    • NIMASA: Beyond BPSR-Proactivism, Broader Vision Crucial

      Jun 11, 2025
      0
    • Blue Economy: Oyetola Engage World Leaders In France

      Jun 10, 2025
      0
    • War Against Illicit Drugs: NSA Commends Customs, NAFDAC, NDLEA

      Jun 5, 2025
      0
    • FG Commits To Enhance NSC Regulatory Capacity

      May 28, 2025
      0
  • Interviews
    • Nigeria Takes Leadership Of MOWCA

      Nov 18, 2021
      0
    • APM Participates in UK Trade Expo

      Oct 31, 2021
      0
    • Reps Seek Admission at MAN

      Dec 7, 2020
      0
    • NIMASA URGE SHIP OWNERS TO RENEW CABOTAGE LICENSES

      Oct 5, 2020
      0
    • FG Sacks Aboloma As NAIC Gets New EDs

      Aug 28, 2020
      0
    • Britain Celebrate Nigerian In Covid Efforts

      Jul 26, 2020
      0
    • Zuckerberg Backs Trump Against Twitter

      May 28, 2020
      0
    • NAFDAC DG Sheds Light On Chloroquine, Herbals, Masks and Covid19

      May 12, 2020
      0
    • Reps Threaten MDAs

      Feb 24, 2020
      0
  • Maritime Info
    • 2023 POP: Minister Task Cadets On Blue Economy

      Dec 15, 2023
      0
    • Rector, Trainees Excited, Laud FG On Modern Academy

      Jan 26, 2023
      0
    • Buhari Redeploys Minister As NPA, NIMASA, MAN, Others Get New Boards

      Apr 7, 2022
      0
    • World Bank Endorse Nigerian Ports, Partners Navy On Capacity Building

      Mar 19, 2022
      0
    • NIMASA Commend Nigerian Navy, Reassures On Floating Dock

      Feb 9, 2022
      0
    • MAN Unveils Lighthouse For Training of Cadets

      Jan 27, 2022
      0
    • shipping

      Singapore Strait Dangerous To Shipping-ReCAAP

      Jan 24, 2022
      0
    • Lekki Deep Sea Port Will Increase Port Efficiency-Amaechi

      Jan 24, 2022
      0
    • Fair Competition: NSC Partners FCCPC For Effectiveness

      Jan 21, 2022
      0
  • Photo Gallery
    • SERAP Calls for Probe of Entire Privatization Processes 1999-2011

      Dec 4, 2017
      0
    • IMO Election: South Africa, Kenya, Liberia, Morroco and Egypt Make Category C

      Dec 2, 2017
      0
    • Maersk Ship on Fire as Coy Launches Six Container Lifting Tech

      Nov 2, 2016
      0
    • Captured Seafarers Languish In Captivity without Ransom

      Nov 1, 2016
      0
    • Niger Delta: Militants Ask FG to Include Former Agitators in Negotiations

      Nov 1, 2016
      0
    • Self-Audit: NIMASA Set to Review 3% Freight Charge

      Nov 1, 2016
      0
    • Recession: Japanese Shipping Companies to Merge

      Oct 31, 2016
      0
    • NSC Partners ICS on Capacity Building

      Oct 31, 2016
      0
    • AGAIN, APAPA CUSTOMS SURPASS MONTHLY TARGET WITH N33B COLLECTION

      Oct 5, 2016
      0
  • Fact
    • Maritime Police Boss Celebrate Workers

      May 1, 2025
      0
    • ā€œVIN Is A Trade Tool, Not Punitiveā€-Customs

      Mar 2, 2022
      0
    • Blackmailers, False Publishers and Their Agents: Court Clears Rector

      Feb 18, 2022
      0
    • MAN Unveils Lighthouse For Training of Cadets

      Jan 27, 2022
      0
    • "APM Terminals Is Beyond Moving Boxes Around"-Laursen

      Jan 24, 2022
      0
    • MWUN: Welfare, Safety Our Priority-Adeyanju

      Dec 27, 2021
      0
    • Reversing the Trend: Koko Breaks Record at NPA

      Dec 24, 2021
      0
    • Minister Demands More From MAN At Passing Out Parade

      Dec 20, 2021
      0
    • MARITIME NIGERIA TASK NIMASA ON MARITIME DEVELOPMENT

      Dec 15, 2021
      0
  • Profiles
    • CMA CGM Brings AI Onboard

      Jun 5, 2018
      0
    • Customs Notify 577 Officers of Retirement by Eguono Odjegba

      Jan 12, 2018
      0
    • Over 100 Persons Feared Dead in Mediterranean Ship Wreck

      Nov 3, 2016
      0
    • Ballast Water: Panama Signs Up

      Oct 24, 2016
      0
    • Ist Half Report: Customs generate N385.7bn revenue

      Aug 15, 2016
      0
    • Minister/MD Speeches at the Launch of NPA's CCCIS

      Jul 23, 2016
      0
    • Face off Imminent as Dakuku Warn IOCs to Sit Up or Stay ...

      Jul 22, 2016
      0
    • Hadiza, Welcome to NPA

      Jul 16, 2016
      0
    • Habib Abdullahi Sacked Again from NPA

      Jul 12, 2016
      0
  • NPA Under Dantsoho What Does The Charts Indicate?

  • IMO ELECTION: Nigeria Assures On Quality Representation

  • Maritime Development: Nigeria, Korea Deepen Collaboration

  • Shipping and Plastic Pollution-The Dangers To Humanity

  • Ocean Conference: Nigeria Canvases Increased Funding For Developing Nations

News
Home›News›Sambo, the Aegean Stable and Lernean Hydra: Could the gods Intervene?

Sambo, the Aegean Stable and Lernean Hydra: Could the gods Intervene?

By Editor
Oct 11, 2022
1065
0
Share:

The hon. Minister of Transportation, Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, is on a race against time as he battles with forces and interests in Nigeria’s transport sector. Aside the politics and plethora of issues, manpower is another challenge the minister is contending with. Kelvin Kagbare, takes a look at the possibility of effecting the desired change by the minister without the intervention of the gods.

Those familiar with ancient Greek mythology will easily recall the name Hercules or Heracles (same person) and the many unpleasant tasks he had to perform to restore his sanity and enjoy immortality with the gods in mount Olympus, abode of the gods.

Among the twelve Labours of Heracles were the clearing of the King Augeas stables the killing of the Lernean Hydra

Legend has it that the King Ā of Elis had a large number of animals in his stables. All of them blessed with perfect health and immortality. Being well fed and lively, the animals produced a huge amount of dung. As at the time Hercules was saddled with the cleaning task, the stables of AugeasĀ had never been cleaned in thirty years, and King Eurystheus asked Heracles to clean them within a day!.

The Lernean Hydra which Hercules was tasked to kill was a nine-headed serpent that terrified the area and people. Apart from the venomous power of the Serpent, one of it nine heads was immortal.

As we are told, the labours Hercules had to perform were for atonement for the killing of his wife and children under a spell cast on him by a jealous goddess, Hera, wife of Zeus. Hera wanted Hercules dead because Zeus begot him (Hercules) outside their marriage.

While we cannot say the Federal Ministry of Transportation is filled with putrid dung and filth, we are confident that there exist a Maritime Hydra with many heads, cut one off and another grows!

Obviously, Engr. Mu’azu Jaji’s deployment to the Transport ministry is for national development in line with the vision of President Mohammadu Buhari. Sambo’s track records must have positioned him for the national assignment- to restore, realign, straighten and improve services delivery by parastatals under the transport ministry.

The grueling task of restoring sanity in the Nigerian Ports, ensuring safety on the rails and roads, securing Nigerian waters from pirates and other criminally minded persons are enormous challenges for any single individual to tackle.

If you virtualize the onerous responsibility of reviving water transportation which remain grossly underutilized plus the need for adequate manpower to man the various maritime positions to meet global standards and improve our global competitive edge, you will appreciate the herculean task the Minister of transportation is saddled with.

According to Dr. Kingsley Moghalu, Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, boat mishaps are mainly as a result of mechanical, human and natural factors such as overloading, careless driving, speeding, negligence, turbulent weather and wreckages.

Moghalu is of the view that night sailing, untrained boat drivers and flagrant disregard for safety regulations among others were major causes of boat mishaps.

Like Hercules, time was a factor then just as it is for Sambo now. However, unlike Hercules, Sambo is no god, neither is he likely to get the many godly interventions which Hercules enjoyed. Without the help of the gods, Hercules would definitely have failed miserably in carrying out the twelve tasks he was given to perform.

The daunting labours of Hercules were to kill the NemeanĀ Lion, kill the LernaeanĀ Hydra, capture the CeryneianĀ Hind, capture the ErymanthianĀ Boar, clean the stables of AugeasĀ in one day and Ā kill the StymphalianĀ Birds.

Others were to capture the Cretan Bull, steal the Mares of Diomedes, steal the girdle of the queen of the Amazons, Hippolyta and to steal the cattle of the monster Geryon.

Are the tasks set for the minister by President Mohammadu Buhari as tough and as herculean?

What are the issues at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA?

For us, Disbursement of the CabotageĀ  Vessel Finance Fund, CVFF, a review of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Program, NSDP, deployment of the Floating Dock, Safety and Security issues in Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea, GoG, actualization of the Blue Economy project, effective and efficient utilization of available manpower are the key issues staring the minister in the face at NIMASA. Is Sambo seeking help from the gods to guide him right?

What needs to be done at the Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA?

Concessioning of the ports has not translated to the many jobs and revenue as canvassed prior to the exercise in 2006. Decay of infrastructure, cargo diversion, corruption allegations, near abandoned Eastern Ports, construction of Deep sea ports and its attendant cargo evacuation are among issues the minister has to resolve to gain ā€œimmortalityā€

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC is fighting a battle of its life as it tries to carry out its regulatory functions. Adhering to international standards and adopting global best practices is what the Council is spear heading but entrenched interests in high places and their cohorts are working ceaselessly against the Council. Could Sambo wade in and resolve this seeming logjam?

What about the issue of a national carrier? Could it happen in Sambo’s time?

While Receiving an interim report on the establishment of a National Fleet from the Nigerian Fleet Implementation Committee (NFIC),Ā  Sambo Ā said ā€œNigeria is a maritime country and if Nigeria gets it’s acts together, the country will have no business looking for money from the oil sector as contribution to the GDP of the country.ā€

The Executive Secretary and CEO of the NSC and Chairman of the NFIC, has this to say on the issue of National Carrier.Ā  ā€œShipping is international and competitive in nature and Nigeria cannot operate in isolation, hence the need for the operating environment to be similar to what obtains elsewhere. This has been a major challenge to the growth of the sector in Nigeria. Review of certain trade policies, access to funds and technical/human capacity are issues that need to be resolvedā€.

The Nigerian Railways Corporation, NRC, is under the Minister’s supervision. Maritime Stakeholders insist that the long queues of trucks on Lagos bridges and Nigerian highways is a badge of dishonor to the NRC while the huge investments made thus far appears grossly un-impactful owing to the uninspiring leadership and management style at the Railways. Is there anything the minister Could do differently to galvanize the rails and deploy same for national mobility?

The Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, and the National Institute for Transport Technology, NITT are training arms of the FMOT. While there has been renewed hope and revitalization at MAN in recent times, there is no doubt that MAN and NITT have needs unmet.

While these training institutions pose less worries for the Minister, ensuring that maritime workers get professional training locally by way of a ministerial directive will save the ministry/country much revenue for internal expenditures.

The Maritime stable is clogged by dung while the multi headed hydra of corruption, revenue leakages, diversions, contract racketeering, backdoor employments and analogue operations are monsters which the minister has to contend with.

The forces are strong, powerful and connected but could the gods intervene to assist Sambo as they did in days of Hercules?

Time will tell.

 

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)

Related

Previous Article

“Stakeholders Are Our Anchor, Strength and Hope”-Jamoh

Next Article

ICC Seek Synergy With NSC On Trade ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • News

    MOWCA Collaborates With IHO to Promote Hydrographic Standards

    Jan 22, 2025
    By Editor
  • FactFeaturedNews

    Minister Demands More From MAN At Passing Out Parade

    Dec 20, 2021
    By Editor
  • News

    JAMB Release N25m for Schools Football…Judith Nwaode reports

    Apr 19, 2017
    By Editor
  • News

    Dantsoho Host Maritime Unions, Tasks Them On Productivity

    Aug 30, 2024
    By Editor
  • News

    Transportation: Ghastly Accident Claim Lives along Ife Highway

    May 2, 2017
    By Editor
  • FeaturedNews

    AILES GROUP: Providing Cutting-Edge Solutions Across Sectors

    Jul 3, 2024
    By Editor

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

  • News

    Corruption In MDAs: Reps Set Up Investigative Committee

  • News

    NEMA Denies Allegations by Reps

  • Customs OperationsNews

    Nigeria Customs Launches Form M On Indigenous Platform

Looking For Something?

Read From

  • Agriculture
  • Customs Operations
  • Fact
  • Featured
  • Interviews
  • Maritime Info
  • News
  • One Question
  • Photo Gallery
  • Profiles
  • sports

Just In

News

NPA Under Dantsoho What Does The Charts Indicate?

Apart from the commencement of actual works on the $1billion ports reconstruction, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho (with unalloyed support of the performance-driven Minister ...
  • IMO ELECTION: Nigeria Assures On Quality Representation

    By Editor
    Jun 17, 2025
  • Maritime Development: Nigeria, Korea Deepen Collaboration

    By Editor
    Jun 16, 2025
  • Shipping and Plastic Pollution-The Dangers To Humanity

    By Editor
    Jun 16, 2025
  • Ocean Conference: Nigeria Canvases Increased Funding For Developing Nations

    By Editor
    Jun 12, 2025
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
© 2013 Maritime Nigeria | All Rights Reserved