CVFF, NPA’s New Ports, NIWA’s Coastal Jetty, Texas and More

Last week was a week of many developments. From drug burst at the Tin Can Command of the Nigeria Customs Service to celebration of maritime workers by industry chieftains and salutations by operators and investors, maritime workers were described as resilient, resourceful and committed-very much so!

 

“Today, we celebrate the dedication, resilience, and invaluable contributions of seafarers, dockworkers, port administrators, marine engineers, fishermen, regulators, and all stakeholders whose daily efforts sustain the lifeblood of our nation’s economy. The maritime sector remains a critical pillar in Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda, and its continued growth is a testament to your hard work and commitment,” the minister of the marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, said in a statement.

 

With my colleague and partner,  Obi, on Monday Mooring, MM, we look at  some issues in the sector this Monday:

 

MM: So much has happened since the last time we met, where have you been?

Obi: To and fro looking  for opportunities

MM: That sounds biblical (remember  Adam/Job?)

Obi: I do

MM: Have you been looking for his  (the Adversary) kind of opportunities?

Obi Who?

MM: Guy, no time for pranks, you know who I mean

Obi: I don’t…

MM: What about CVFF-Do you know or you don’t?

Obi: I’ve heard about its disbursements, flag off, launchings and portal stories

MM: Do you think it could be disbursed this time?

Obi: Says who?

MM: Answer my questions and stop gyrating yoyoristacally

 

Obi: Oga, anyone expecting sharing or dis-pursing the FG of the that money at this time should forget it and concentrate on other source of funding because the CVFF source is neither reachable nor available at the moment…

MM: Meaning What

Obi: A man is looking for money  for electricity, poverty reduction, feeding and shelter for IDPs, coastal highways, salaries and emoluments and you expect him to share $300, $400  or $700m? Are the repayment/returns from the beneficiaries guaranteed?

MM: Yes, the Primary Lending Institutions are the sureties and guarantors

Obi: Dey Play!

MM: Guy, we are not joking here!

Obi: Do you remembers the SASBF?

MM: What about it?

Obi: Are the beneficiaries alive?

MM: We have moved on, we have to progress. Is it SASBF that we’ll dwell on and…

Obi: You see, that’s the culture. National cake mentality. Precedents once set are difficult to undo-reasons why the CFVV cannot be dispursed are many, put yourself in his position, would share money at this time?

MM: Disbursed…whats this your dispursed word?

Obi: Remov from the purse

MM Whose purse?

Obi: The possessor

MM: Nobody possesses it, its ship owners money

Obi: Do you remember what Bashir Jamoh said?

MM: What did he say?

Obi: He Likened the CVFF to the National Passport-A Federal Government property.

MM: You’re still gyrating but let’s look at Port Modernization by the NPA

Obi: What have they not done?

MM: Its about what they are doing-restructuring the ports for efficiency, competitiveness, reducing human interference, blocking leakages, reducing cargo dwell time…

Obi: It is okay sir, Lets keep hope alive. Nigerian ports could become the regional cargo hub soon, right?

MM: Managing Director of NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho has declared that “The time has come for a paradigm shift in the structure of Nigeria’s economy towards the full utilization of our marine resources. Our port system, if properly harnessed, can serve as a major driver of economic growth”

Obi: We agreed on keeping hope alive, didn’t we, reduce the grammar, the agency is bereaved.

 

MM: A very sad and unfortunate incident, we lost Paul Erakhifu aka Texas. Our condolence to the management and staff of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

 

MM: NIWA is building a West (super highway) Coastal Cargo jetty aimed at enhancing seamless movement of goods and services across the sub-region

Obi: Which region…

MM: West African Sub region

 

Obi: You mean movement of Togo, Benin,

and Ghana bound cargoes or what?

MM: Part of ongoing modernization efforts

Obi: Good luck…

MM: That’s someone’s name…

Obi: Can I ask you a question

MM: No

Obi: Why not?

MM: I do not answer questions, I ask questions

Obi? No Wahala

MM: Could you take my “One Question”

Obi: Are we not on Monday Mooring?

MM: “One Question” is a special Feature Segment/Column on “Maritime Insider”

Obi: Boss, lets leave that for another day, I’m exhausted and drained by your inquisition

MM: Be more professional

Obi: I’ll try, just wanted to ask after NSC, CRFFN, MAN, NCS and NRC

MM: By brother, lets leave those for another time, ok?

Obi: Looking forward!