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NIMASA jerks up Manning Bond by 400% to N5m

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NIMASA jerks up Manning Bond by 400% to N5m

THE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has jerked up the financial bond for manning agencies in Nigeria to N5 million from N1 million with a view to keeping quarks away from the industry.

Disclosing this to Vanguard, Emmanuel Maiguwa, Chief Executive of a manning agency and President of Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria, MASPAN, said the reason for the increase in the financial bond requirement was because some manning agencies were not operating up to the standard.

He explained that the increase in the financial bond requirement will not solve the problem of quackery in the manning sub-sector of the maritime industry, adding that anybody can meet up with bond requirements and still decide not to play by the rules and regulations guiding the operation of the manning agency.

He said: “The fee for the manning licence is not the issue but there is a bond requirement and we understand why NIMASA raised the bond because some companies are actually cutting corners.

READ ALSO: NOA signs agreement with ILO to end child labour in Nigeria

“There are lots of what we nickname mushroom companies and in NIMASA’s wisdom; they feel raising the financial requirements will eliminate them. We are of the opinion that it will not solve the problem. If I do not want to play by the rules, all I need to do is to get the money.

“So, the more money I have to acquire the licence and the more opportunities to have more companies under my portfolio but without improving my standards.

“Compliance with regulations, developing industry standards and enforcement and monitoring is what will actually improve the standard of manning agencies in Nigeria.

“And in the Maritime Safety Convention (MSC) the requirements are there, NIMASA is supposed to be carrying out a monthly audit and generating reports of what the manning agencies are doing. It is only when they do that that they can get feedback from the manning agencies as to what issues they are having with ship owners that is not enabling them to comply and these issues can be fixed.

“So, develop a standard for the industry that is higher than MSC. If you have a proper standard, do not bring the MSC and dump it on us. When you raise the standard, for example, certification, training and control, it will wither off the unserious players.”

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Commission, journalists partner to revamp water sector in Kaduna

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The Kaduna State Water Services Regulatory Commission (KADWREC) says it is partnering media practitioners towards revamping water services in the state.

Mr Dogara Bashir, the Executive Chairman of KADWREC, disclosed this on Monday at a one-day workshop organised for media practitioners on regulation of ‘Water, Sanitation and Hygiene’ (WASH) activities held in Kaduna.

Bashir said the commission was aware of the importance of the role media practitioners played in the society.

He stated that the workshop was to provide an avenue to liaise with them as important stakeholders on water supply and sanitation services in the state.

Bashir said: “As media practitioners, we believe you are a gateway to the citizens so, the workshop would acquaint you with some of the regulations already in place so that you can in turn transmit it to the public

“The state of water services in Kaduna State is in dire need of attention and the State Water Corporation and KADWREC were established towards addressing the seeming challenges.

“The commission is mandated to ensure better service delivery and regulation of water and sanitation services in the State.

“The idea is that once the regulations are developed, we send them to the State Ministry of Justice to gazette and then we get the state government to endorse and give the go ahead to commence the implementation of the regulations

“We intend to implement them fully come January, 2025 God willing, as we have embarked on advocacy activities having gone to zones 1 and 2 where we talked to traditional rulers, security agencies and the Judiciary.”

He disclosed that a special Court has already been attached to the commission by the Chief Judge of the State for service providers who may likely violate regulations.

The chairman further said that amongst the commission’s objectives include ensuring security, reliability and quality of service in the production and delivery of water to the consumers as well making regulations to control the sinking of boreholes.

Others included; maximising access to water services by promoting and facilitating consumer connections to distribution systems in urban and rural areas.

According to Bashir, they also include ensuring that regulatory decision-making has regards to all the relevant health, safety, environmental and social legislation applying to the water sector.

Bashir further said that the commission collaborate with the relevant state and federal agencies on water policies.

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Crime

2 ladies docked for allegedly obtaining money by fraud

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The police in Lagos have dragged two women, Mmesuma Ofunna, and Blessing Adimekwe, before an Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, over alleged obtaining money by false pretence.

Ofunna, 22, and Adimekwe, 25, were arraigned before the Magistrate, Mr L K J Layeni, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, stealing and conduct likely to breach peace.

They each, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, ASP Simon Uche, told the court that the defendants conspired with others now at large, to commit the offence on Oct. 26 at the Okokomaiko area of Ojo.

He alleged that they had obtained the sum of N70, 000 from one Faith Ahamefule, with a promise not to post her nude photo on social media.

The prosecutor alleged that the defendants later posted the nude photo of the nominal complainant on social media, knowing that their promise was false.

He alleged that they stole the N70, 0000, thereby conducting themselves in a manner likely to breach public peace.

The offence contravenes the provisions of sections 168(d), 287, 314, and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

The court granted the defendants bails in the sum of N500, 000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.

He adjourned the case until Jan. 8, 2025 for mention.

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Driver jailed 6 months for attempting to steal a car

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A Jos Magistrates’ Court on Monday, sentenced a 37-year-old driver, Ahmad Umar to six months in imprisonment for attempting to steal a car.

The Magistrate, Shawomi Bokkos, summarily tried and sentenced the convict after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

Bokkos in his judgment, ordered the convict to pay an option of N30, 000 fine or spend six months in prison.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp Ibrahim Gokwat, told the court that the case was reported on Oct. 10, at the Area Command Police station through a distress call by one Sydney Peacemorie the complainant.

Gokwat said the complainant parked his Toyota RAV4 in front of Access Bank and went inside to carry out some transactions, only to return to find the convict inside his car.

“The convict unlawfully opened the car and was in the driver’s seat when the complainant raised alarm and he was apprehended, but his accomplice escaped.

“The convict was severely beaten by a mob but was rescued by the police,” said Gokwat.

“The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the Plateau Penal Code Law.

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