By Bon Peters

It was a garland of honour for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Area 11 Command and the West African Container Terminal (WACT), both in Onne, Rivers State as they were graciously rewarded at the just concluded 2024 Comptroller General of Customs Award Ceremony in Abuja over the weekend.

In a night to reward dedication, commitment, excellence, revenue generation, anti-smuggling war and trade facilitation, awards were bestowed on deserving individuals, terminal operators and other maritime stakeholders who distinguished themselves in various areas of their operations.

At the event, Onne Area 11 Command and WACT received several awards for their outstanding performances.

While the command was named the Best in Anti-smuggling Activities, WACT went home as the Best Terminal in Port Operations and Trade Facilitation.

Speaking on the development, the Customs Area Controller for the command, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, attributed the success to the officers said men of the area.

“It’s a teamwork by all officers and men of the command. I couldn’t have done it alone if not for the role every officer and men in the Command played in ensuring public health and safety of lives,” he stated, thanking them for their contribution towards making the country safe.

Reacting on behalf of WACT, the General Manager for Government and Public Relations, Mr Innocent Ogbuji, said, “On behalf of the management and staff, we thank the NCS for the award.”

He assured that, “WACT will not rest on its oars to ensure seamless ports operations and trade facilitation in compliance with the fiscal policy of the federal government in line with international standards and best practices.”

“WACT is committed to seamless Port operations, robust synergies with stakeholders and enhancing trade facilitation,” he added.

WACT is a flagship for port operations and trade facilitation, whose investment stands at over $115 million. The terminal is equipped for effective and efficient port operations in the Eastern Maritime corridors of Nigeria.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Stakeholders in the petroleum industry in Africa will be in Lagos next year for the 9th edition of the prestigious Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC).

The event, put together by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), will take place from February 11 to 13, 2025, at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos.

It was stated that the three-day programme will have a robust engagement with keynote addresses from industry leaders, showcasing countries and exploring pivotal themes such as driving Africa’s energy future, plans for economic growth and SAIPEC’s African Content Series, hosted by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for the 5th consecutive year.

According to a statement, further sessions and panels will tackle critical subjects including African gas strategies and opportunities, finance and the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion initiatives, underscoring the importance of inclusive growth across Africa’s energy landscape.

SAIPEC 2025 will showcase multi-billion dollar project opportunities across Africa and offer a vital platform for advancing the continent’s energy, oil and gas ambitions, the statement added.

With local content again as a foundational theme, the conference will attract over 6,000 industry stakeholders, including representatives from national oil companies, international oil companies, government bodies, service providers and regulators from more than 50 countries.

Notably, the SAIPEC Future Generations Conference will return, inspiring the next generation of African energy leaders, while SAIPEC Technical sessions and the prestigious SAIPEC Awards will highlight leading innovations and achievements in the sector.

A centrepiece of the event, the international exhibition will feature a dynamic showcase of technology, innovations and services across the energy value chain.

With exhibitors from around the globe, the exhibition will highlight advancements in drilling, exploration, digital technology and sustainability.

It was disclosed that attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with leading suppliers, service providers, and technology developers driving the evolution of Africa’s energy sector.

This year, host PETAN proudly celebrates its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of leadership and innovation in Africa’s oil and gas sector.

“SAIPEC 2025 stands as a testament to our commitment to driving Africa’s energy transformation, creating sustainable growth, and fostering inclusive partnerships across the continent.

“This year’s program is our most ambitious yet, showcasing innovative strategies, regional collaborations, and groundbreaking advancements in Africa’s oil and gas sector.

“We are excited to bring together industry leaders, experts and future visionaries to shape a prosperous and energy-secure future for Sub-Saharan Africa,” the PETAN/SAIPEC Conference chairman, Mr Ibe Chubby Ibe said.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Workers in the Ministry of Solid Minerals under the aegis of Federal Mines Officers have tasked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intervene against illegal mining activities across the country.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of EFCC, the President of its Port Harcourt Branch, Mr Naku Romos, who led the delegation, sought the collaboration of the Commission for the curtailment of activities of illegal miners from the country’s mining sector.

Mr Romos noted that the activities of illegal miners were not only illegitimate but constituted economic crimes and were destructive to the already heavily compromised Niger Delta ecosystem.

“We are from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development. It has been our tradition, our culture whenever we have new heads to make it an obligation to go out and familiarise ourselves with the relevant government agencies, especially law enforcement agencies like the EFCC, Police, DSS and others,” he said.

Mr Romos, who assumed office in September 2024 further recalled that the Solid Minerals Development Ministry was saddled with the responsibility of regulating and controlling the mining of solid minerals in the country and frowned that the federal government was losing many economic resources in the extractive industry due to activities of illegal miners.

He further noted that there was zero possibility of achieving results in the fight against illegal mining in the country without the ministry’s collaboration with law enforcement agencies.

Responding, the Acting Director of EFCC in Port Harcourt, Mr Adebayo Adeniyi, disclosed that the EFCC was ready for any collaboration that was geared towards a better Nigerian society, adding that efforts were already in place in the area of illegal mining, being an area of priority importance to the Commission’s Executive Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede.

Mr Adeniyi pointed out that Olukoyede has set up a Special Task Force across all EFCC directorates to handle illegal mining cases and further disclosed that Port Harcourt’s Directorate has a couple of illegal mining cases it is currently investigating.

He urged the Ministry to pursue preventive measures through enlightenment programmes for all miners as many of the unlicensed miners may be unaware that they are committing crimes as well as degrading the environment.

“First of all, enlightenment is key to making them know that this is what is required of them. If they don’t move away from it, then you have to write to me. If you are sure and aware, bring up a petition, we will definitely take it up from there, as they are illegally exploiting our natural resources and destroying the environment.

“I can assure you that the EFCC will maintain an aggressive posture against illegal mining in the Niger Delta region by ensuring that it is brought to a halt,” he said.