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Presidential Port Standing Task Team Has Restored Orderliness, Seamless Cargo Handling Operations In Nigerian Seaports – National Coordinator, Fadipe | By Olabode Adeyeri
Presidential Port Standing Task Team Has Restored Orderliness, Seamless Cargo Handling Operations In Nigerian Seaports – National Coordinator, Fadipe | By Olabode Adeyeri
The National Coordinator of the Presidential Port Standing Task Team (PSTT) and Director, Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Fadipe Moses Olayemi says the Team has resolved bottlenecks in the Nigerian Seaports and its Corridors for efficient operations and enhanced service delivery within the port ecosystem.
Fadipe who oversees all the costal ports of the federation (Apapa, Tin can, Onne, Calabar, Warri and Port Harcourt), spoke with Citizen NewsNG Correspondent in an exclusive interview in Lagos.
According to him, the Presidential Port Standing Task Team was set up to implement and ensure compliance with the Nigerian Ports Process Manual (NPPM).
The Nigeria Port Process Manual is a document that spelt out the trajectory of the activities by various port agencies in the maritime industry as captured in their Standard Operation procedures (SOP’s).
The PSTT comprises Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NPA) as lead agency, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offence (ICPC), Department of State Service (DSS) and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
With his dedicated Team of Professionals, Fadipe has continually demonstrated resilience and hard work in the discharge of his duty.
He has restored orderliness and Seamless Operations in the Nigerian Seaports amidst numerous challenges.
On each day at his duty Post, He sets target for himself and his Team Members. A practice commended by stakeholders in the Maritime industry.
Fadipe’s office is a hive of activity. In his timeline, there is no official closing time during field operations.
Known for his unrelenting spirit, Fadipe does not sit back in his office to give instructions or directives; but he goes round the Ports across the country for On-the-Spot assessment.
“Sometimes, My Team and I spend a larger part of the day on the field to ensure an effective and hitch-free Port Operations”, He said.
Continuing, he said: “We are very civil in our operations. You will never see us use total force except if we had explored all avenues”.
“Our Outfit can arrest anybody that breaks the law; even security agents. We are always at the Ports to ensure that things are done right”, He stated.
According to Fadipe, efficient Port Operation is vital to the economic development of Nigeria.
The National Coordinator stated that the PSTT has records (Pre-arrival notification) of all the vessels coming into the Nigerian waterways in its Realtime and Automated Tracking Computer systems.
“The Technology adopted is really helpful and it curbs sabotage. In the past, it takes an average time of about 5 hours for Vessels to move from anchorage to the berth as against a maximum of 90 minutes presently”, He said.
“It will interest you to know that we started this activity in March 2021. In 2020, we had about 121 Infractions and in 2019 we had 266 cases and before 2019 there were interventions, so we decided to put the outfit as a permanent one”
“When PSTT began operation, we had 40 infractions throughout 2021 and keeps reducing every year and As at today, we had near zero because every stakeholder pays for their misdemeanor”.
“The Vessel captains who are afraid before to come to the Nigerian Ports are now bold enough to come to Nigerian Seaports. when they arrive they know the Government Agency to contact in real time”.
Fadipe stated further that there had been improved Turn-around-time of vessel cargo evacuation has improved significantly.
According to him, in the past, the average number of containers examined per day was 125 but today, they handle 230 per day.
“PSTT collaborates with the various stakeholders both government and private organisations to achieve more because we really need to bring sanity back into the industry with our collective efforts”, Fadipe said.
“Apart from Lagos Ports, we (PSTT) are in Rivers State with a State coordinator of covering Portharcourt and Onne and we are gradually moving to Calabar and Warri Ports. We are definitely spreading out and also, we keep engaging with stakeholders because we cannot do it alone. We have been collaborating with the Media too”, He emphasized.
Fadipe hinted that he lectures his Members of Staff and Security Agencies attached to the PSTT every day before they embark on field operations.
“Today, other countries of the world are willing to understudy how we were able to get to this stage of efficient Ports Operations on vessel boarding and rummaging in Nigeria”, He said.
“Recently, at a conference in Denmark, Nigeria was adjudged the best country with Ports Operations system”, Fadipe recalled.
Citing the Challenges on the Job, Fadipe said the PSTT has been ambushed at different times and held hostage for several hours by heavily armed state actors during field operations but they triumped.
“The risks of the job are too high but in our little way, we will continue to do our best”, He vowed.
In his parting words, Fadipe said: “In life, what do you want to live for, what do you Stand for? what do you want to be remembered for? Nothing comes easy in life but if you are passionate, you persevere and believe that what you are doing will benefit many people, God in His infinite mercy will make you overcome. I want to be remembered for Positive change”.
He however charged the Stakeholders to support the Federal Government in its efforts to ensure an efficient and transparent Maritime Industry. He also enjoined them to operate within the stipulated Operational procedures and Standards.
With decades of experience in the Maritime Industry, Mr. Fadipe Moses Olayemi has distinguished himself among his Contemporaries.
Citizen NewsNG research reveals that since Fadipe assumed as the National Coordinator of Presidential Port Standing Task Team, the PSTT has delivered on its mandate with its meagre resources.
Despite Hardship, Glo Continues To Make Life Easier For Nigerians
By Osho Oluwatosin
Due to the economic hardship that has affected Nigeria as a country, several sectors, including telecommunications, have had to make necessary reforms and adjustments, especially in terms of tariffs, to reflect the reality of the Nigerian economic situation.
Some players in the sector, like Karl Toriola of MTN, had advocated for a 100% increase in tariffs due to the operational costs his company is enduring as a result of the economic hardship. Others also called for a similar increase, and as expected, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved a 50% increase in tariffs in February.
Although several Nigerians complained bitterly due to the fact that several essential commodities are already expensive, in all fairness, an increment was necessary because telecommunication companies also pay high costs for commodities like diesel. If Nigerians continue paying the lower tariffs while operational costs keep increasing, some companies may begin to shut down.
However, if there is any telecommunications giant that has considered the feelings of Nigerians regarding the directives from NCC to increase tariffs, it is Globacom, the only indigenous telecommunications company owned by billionaire Mike Adenuga.
While the likes of MTN implemented a 200% increase and later apologized, Globacom, in its magnanimity and unwavering support for Nigerians, introduced some promos to ease the pain of Nigerians, especially the youth population that makes use of data.
One of the most hardship-alleviating initiatives by the company is the Glo eSIM 5GB free data, which was even extended to customers of other networks. According to the company, customers on other networks can easily use Glo eSIM as an additional SIM card and enjoy 5GB free of charge.
The outlet comes with an introductory free 5GB of data when the customer buys a data plan of N1,500 or more.
Customers already on other networks can now join the Glo network with eSIM as an additional SIM. Existing Glo customers can also enjoy this “SIM-less” freedom.
With the eSIM, customers no longer have to worry about space for a physical SIM on their phones. The eSIM is a software-based digital chip built directly into smartphones or wearable devices, thus eliminating the need for a physical SIM card for customers.
“Globacom is welcoming new customers on its network with the introduction of the eSIM. The eSIM, activated in any Gloworld shop or dealer outlet, comes with an introductory free 5GB of data when the customer buys a data plan of N1,500 or more.
“Customers already on other networks can now join the Glo network with eSIM as an additional SIM. Existing Glo customers can also enjoy this ‘SIM-less’ freedom.
“With the eSIM, customers no longer have to worry about space for a physical SIM on their phones. The eSIM is a software-based digital chip built directly into smartphones or wearable devices, thus eliminating the need for a physical SIM card for customers.”
Likewise, Glo recently announced a 15% bonus on every eTop-up for subscribers; this simply means that for every airtime recharge, customers get 15% added to whatever they bought.
In a press statement issued in Lagos, Globacom said, “In line with our commitment to delivering exceptional value to customers, we have introduced this bonus airtime promotion to help our customers get the most out of their mobile experience. Whether the airtime is used for calls, data, or messaging, this extra boost ensures that customers stay connected with their loved ones and colleagues without interruption. It was introduced to give our esteemed customers unprecedented value for money and a delightful calling experience on the Glo network.”
According to Glo, “The validity of the airtime is 7 days and cannot be rolled over; once the bonus airtime is not used within the validity period, it expires, and the customer forfeits the bonus.”
Furthermore, Glo partnered with establishments like Samsung to ensure Nigerians remain connected to the internet with unprecedented free data. Just recently, the telecommunications giant teamed up with Samsung, the world’s leading manufacturer of electronic devices, to bring a new offer to Glo subscribers. This tantalizing deal allows Glo customers to pre-order the highly sought-after Samsung Galaxy S25 smartphone and enjoy unique benefits.
Globacom is also delighting customers who purchase any model from the Galaxy S25 series with 18GB of bonus data for 6 months under smartphone festival data plans, while they can also secure their pre-order at any Gloworld shop with an advance payment of ₦500,000. Pre-ordered phones will be delivered to customers from February 19 onwards.
Meanwhile, Glo has been engaging in several promos back-to-back for the benefit of Nigerians. Through the Glo Festival of Joy promo, more than 50 Nigerians have won vehicles as luxurious as the Toyota Prado and other home appliances for using the Glo network and recharging regularly.
What about the Glo Lucky Number game? At different times, subscribers have been rewarded with cash prizes ranging from N100,000 to N1,000,000.
All of these and more indicate one thing: Glo is the only indigenous company that cares about the feelings of Nigerians, and these promos are major means through which the populace can be eased from the nationwide economic hardship.
Huge kudos to Globacom.
– Osho Oluwatosin is a journalist and publisher of www.trixxng.com
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