This was disclosed in a statement issued by the minister’s spokesman, Ismail Omipidan, on Wednesday morning, in Abuja.

The committee is to review the Standard Operating Procedures for Truck Traffic Management along the Lagos port corridor.

Omipidan who noted that the committee was expected to meet with other critical stakeholders in Lagos on Thursday for the review, quoted the minister as saying “every possible abuse of the system by human should be x-rayed and solutions provided with a view to ensuring that it is abuse-free.”

Although, the E-call up system was introduced by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in February 2021 for trucks at the Lagos Ports, which truckers are expected to use to book turns to enter the Ports, recent reports have suggested potential compromises in the functionality of this system.

“I have a number of suggestions on how I believe the system can be strengthened. But I want inputs from the stakeholders. This is why I have set up this committee to interface with the service provider and other stakeholders in the industry to come up with a best way of dealing decisively with the saboteurs,” the minister said.

The advice was given by Oyetola’s media aide, Ismail Omipidan, in a statement issued on Monday morning, to debunk the claim by the Osun State Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, that Oyetola and not Senator Ademola Adeleke, issued the Staff of Office to Taiwo Abdulrasaq Adegboye.

Omipidan noted that he was not surprised by the claim of Olawale Rasheed, insisting that his penchant for lying was legendary. He challenged the governor’s spokesperson to produce any material evidence to support his false claim.

The minister’s media aide further asserted that he has it on a good authority that Governor Adeleke and not Oyetola signed the certificate being paraded by the Alawo against a legal opinion from government officials.

“While it is true that Taiwo Adegboye was appointed during the Oyetola’s administration, the moment the court nullified his appointment, the government stayed action. That was why his official coronation was never carried out until we left the office. Therefore, my principal never signed any document nor issued him a staff of office. If there is, I challenge the government to produce same.

“If indeed, Governor Adeleke has respect for due process and rule of law, how come the government is unable to carry out the judgement of the court with regards to the Alawo stool. In the eyes of the law, the current occupant is a usurper and the government should treat him as such rather than trying to pass the buck, which unfortunately has become the pastime of the present administration.

“Oyetola is no longer the governor. How come you still want to hold him responsible for an action that was carried out in the last one year of the current administration? I advise Olawale Rasheed and his ilks to stop lying against the person of Oyetola, as he did not issue any staff of office to the Alawo,” Omipidan said.

He also congratulated the national Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Working Committee (NWC), members and supporters of the party on the victory.

Oyetola described the judgement as a “sound one” that would further deepen the country’s electoral laws and judicial jurisprudence.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Ismail Omipidan, the minister said the judgement of the Supreme court had finally settled the legal battle over the 2023 presidential election, saying lovers of democracy must commend the resilience of the judiciary in deepening the country’s democracy through its sound judgments.

“On behalf of the APC family in Osun, I congratulate our president, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the vice president, Senator Kashim Shettima on their victory at the Supreme Court.

“Today’s judgement has put to an end the needless bickering, distractions and litigation that greeted the 2023 presidential election. It is my hope that the opposition will team up with our president to move Nigeria forward in the overall interest of the country,” Oyetola said.

Oyetola noted that it had become imperative for the two communities to put an end to the avoidable crisis that had escalated to destruction of property, killings and maiming of one another since the crisis erupted, saying that “it is better to jaw-jaw,” than resort to violence.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Ismail Omipidan, the minister commiserated with the families and relatives of those who lost their lives to the violence and also sympathised with those who lost their valued property.

The former governor who said whenever the crisis erupted in the past, it was usually deescalated through the traditional rulers, wondered why this latest violence was allowed to degenerate to this level.

Describing peace as sine qua non to human existence, Oyetola said it is always good to come to the round table for dialogue and negotiation than to resort to violence in whatever circumstance, saying God knows why He destined the two towns of Ifon and Ilobu to border each other.

He said the two communities must stop the fight permanently, jettison their differences and continue to live together as brothers and sisters by continually taking maximum advantage of their unity and togetherness as well as the prospects in their diversity regardless of borders and boundaries.

“With my sojourn in life, I have come to realise that nothing good can come from communal clash and as such, every being must do everything humanly possible to forestall fight of any nature. It is quite unfortunate and shocking to receive the news of clashes between two of our notable towns (Ilobu and Ifon-Osun) in the state.

“While I acknowledge whatever the reason that might have led to the avoidable crisis leaving many dead, I want to vehemently note that no matter the issue at stake, it is not worth the life of any Osun citizen. I, therefore, appeal to our people to sheath their sword and allow peace to reign forthwith.

“Taking a look at number of casualties recorded in the last few days while the crisis lasted, it is apparent that dialogue and negotiation would have been more profitable and rewarding if that path had been genuinely taken by the two communities.

“I appeal to the traditional leaders of the two communities and beyond to opt for dialogue in resolving contentious issues in order to restore peace and tranquility to the land.

“I want to use this opportunity to commiserate with the families of the victims who have lost their loved ones to the needless crisis. I also sympathise with those who lost their property. May Almighty God repose the souls of the dead and restore peace to the affected communities”, Oyetola said.

The representatives of the two countries made this known on Tuesday, during their separate meetings with the minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, at his office in Abuja.

The US delegation was led by Ambassador Jessye Lapenn, the Senior Coordinator for Atlantic Cooperation, while that of the British was led by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery.

Speaking during the visit, Ambassador Lapenn, who noted that the minister was the first person she was visiting after the ministerial meeting for Atlantic Cooperation, which was convened by the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken on the margins of the 78th United Nations General Assembly, UNGA in New York, said the US government was willing to offer technical support to the ministry with a view to supporting Nigeria’s economic growth through the sector.

She further said that the two countries would also be exploring technology to solve some of the challenges in the Marine and Blue Economy sector.

On his part, the British High Commissioner, Dr. Richard Montgomery, expressed the government’s desire to partner with the Nigerian Government to tackle the challenge of illegal fishing in Nigeria’s waters, just as he applauded the decision of the minister to embark on a PPP arrangement in terms of investment in the sector.

He noted that the British Government was willing and ready to share information and precautionary lessons with Nigeria with a view to partnering it to protect its marine resources.

The minister while separately thanking the teams for the visits, noted that Nigeria through the new ministry, would be willing to develop coastal tourism and create a conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive.

He expressed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing the Atlantic Cooperation initiative declarations.

“We are committed to rehabilitating our ports for efficiency. I am particularly excited about the desire to partner with us to tackle the challenge of illegal fishing in our waters.

“We believe that marine fishing will support our economic growth and create job opportunities, especially for our youths. We will equally be leveraging the UK’s Blue Planet Fund, aimed at supporting developing countries like us to protect the marine environment and reduce poverty, especially now that there is a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in place in Nigeria,” Oyetola added.