Maritime
INSECURITY: NIMASA Raise Alarm Of Arms Importation through Nigerian Waters.
Fresh facts have emerged that a high percentage of arms and ammunitions importation into Nigerian actually come in through the Nigerian waterways, even as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has called the attention of maritime and petroleum industry stakeholders to the need to cooperate with it to further improve the level of security on the waters.
Fresh facts have emerged that a high percentage of arms and ammunitions importation into Nigerian actually come in through the Nigerian waterways, even as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has called the attention of maritime and petroleum industry stakeholders to the need to cooperate with it to further improve the level of security on the waters.
Director General of NIMASA, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi made this call yesterday at a breakfast meeting and stakeholders parley organized by the agency in Lagos.
Akpobolokemi who acknowledged that the practice have continued over the years due to the incapability of NIMASA to efficiently provide adequate security on the waters however assured that with the acquisition of new patrol boats by NIMASA normalcy will soon be restored on Nigerian waters.
“The number of arms and ammunitions that are coming into this country is alarming, some are coming through the waterways, some are coming through the airport, some are coming through the border, since we are only concerned about the waterways security we should be interested in who is involved in these kinds of business so that we can give account when we are called upon by government” the DG said.
Akpobolokemi also charged the International Oil Companies (IOC) in Nigeria to ensure that they furnish NIMASA with details of their security activities at all times and demanded that the names of companies and other information about their platforms and other relevant importation details be made available to the agency afresh.
“We appreciate the reason why operators in the industry, the oil multinational companies usually engage private people in providing vessels while the navy and other operatives board these vessels and provide security, we appreciate it because of the security challenges and at a time when NIMASA was not capable of doing that, we do not see anything wrong in that”
“However, what we intend to do is that, you can have private people supply you vessels and the navy or any of the security agents will be part of maintaining security for you, but because we are interested in knowing what is happening in our maritime domain and recommending our findings to government for further decisions, we should be kept in the picture, it is important that you have clearance from NIMASA indicating who supplied the vessels for purpose of security patrols”
Continuing, the NIMASA Director General read the Riot Act to shipping companies operating in Nigeria, even as it says that many of them through their illegal activities are sabotaging the 3% levies accruable to the Federal Government through NIMASA on every ship berthing at the ports.
Akpobolokemi alleged that many of the shipping companies operating in the country engage in manipulation of their shipping manifest as well as under-declaration of cargoes imported.
He said that many of them carry out Ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of cargo on Nigerian waters without recourse to NIMASA as the regulatory agency.
Akpobolokemi has however warned that henceforth, stiff sanctions will be imposed on any shipping company that is found wanting because according to him, these illegal activities is affecting NIMASA revenue.
Manifest must be given to us 7 days before the vessel arrive Nigeria ports for us to prepare, it is not just about collection of money, it is our duty to police these vessels in case of attacks and to ensure they don’t run into problems.
“Also worrisome is the manipulation of manifest and under-declaration of cargoes, often times we see shipping companies manipulate manifest and under-declare their cargo fort purposes of paying a small amount of money which results into huge economic loss for the government, henceforth, if we know about this, sanctions will be given”
The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has deposited three Instruments of Accession to IMO Conventions signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with the global body.
He did so on Tuesday, at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which acts as the repository for these conventions.
This move, coming a few weeks after Nigeria declared its intention to contest election for a seat on the IMO Council, is expected to enhance Nigeria’s maritime governance and align its practices with international standards, promoting maritime safety, security, and environmental protection.
Shortly after the presentation ceremonies, Oyetola informed the IMO Secretary General, Arsenio Dominguez, of the President’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria aligns with international maritime standards regarding maritime safety, security, and sustainable marine practices.
ALSO READ: NNPCL Launches Utapate Crude Oil Blend, Eyes Production Expansion In 2025
He also called on the IMO to extend technical support to Nigeria.
In his words, “These instruments, duly acceded by His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, signify Nigeria’s continued commitment to aligning with international maritime standards, ensuring maritime safety and security, and promoting sustainable marine practices.
“We hereby request tailored technical cooperation under the Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) to enhance Nigeria’s compliance with IMO conventions and improve our maritime governance and implementation of the instruments we submitted today.”
On his part, Dominguez, acknowledged with appreciation the formal deposition of the Instruments of Accession, stating that it underscores Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to aligning with global maritime standards.
“I congratulate Nigeria for its exceptional efforts in acceding to these six critical IMO instruments. I encourage continued momentum by securing presidential assent to additional key conventions. We at the IMO remains fully committed to supporting Nigeria through technical cooperation and capacity-building initiatives to ensure the successful implementation of these instruments,” he stated.
The instruments Oyetola handed over to Dominguez include the instrument of accession to the 2005 Protocol to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf (SUA Protocol 2005), the instrument of accession to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F), and the instrument of accession to the Protocol Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Pollution by Substances Other Than Oil (Intervention Protocol 1973).
It was gathered that three other Instruments of Accession signed by President Tinubu are undergoing further steps to complete the processes for their deposit.
Funds accrued under the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) are intact and currently held with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the Single Treasury Account (TSA).
This assertion was made by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday.
The clarification became necessary to address “a misleading publication alleging that funds have disappeared from the CVFF account”.
ALSO READ: Okpebholo Hits Ground Running, Flags Off Edo’s 1st Flyover Bridge
The statement reads, in part, “The report of a missing money is both misleading and false.
“For the record, the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, securely held in the NIMASA account at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), remains intact. There has been no disappearance of funds, and no illegal transactions, as the article suggests. This misinformation is a figment of the authors imagination, aimed at undermining NIMASA’s integrity, and mislead the public about the Agency’s operations.
“The Management of NIMASA will ensure that the CVFF is utilised in line with its statutory purpose. NIMASA Director General, Dr Mobereola has assured stakeholders of the safety of funds under the CVFF.”
The statement cited the DG thus, “Let us be clear that the CVFF account at the Central Bank of Nigeria is safe, intact, and secure. We at NIMASA will continue to manage it with the utmost responsibility, and there are no irregularities or illegal activities surrounding the funds. I urge the public to disregard this false narrative and to continue trusting the Agency’s ability to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s maritime sector”.
It was gathered that the CVFF is a fund established under section 42 of the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003 to promote the development of indigenous ship acquisition capacity and to provide credit facilities to local maritime operators.
The NIMASA, assured of its commitment “to transparency, accountability, and the advancement of Nigeria’s maritime sector.”
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo appears eager to deliver the dividends of democracy to his constituents.
This is discernible from the frenzy of activities being witnessed in his first few days on the job, including dissolution of boards, constitution of investigative panels, flagging off of infrastructure projects, among others.
In the bid to address the perennial road traffic congestion negatively impacting economic and social activities in Benin City, the state capital, Gov Okpebholo on Wednesday flagged off the construction of a flyover bridge.
Biztellers reports that the flyover bridge around the popular Ramat Park in the city centre is the first of such in the history of Edo State.
ALSO READ: Tinubu Seeks ₦1.767tn Loan to Tackle 2024 Budget Deficit
The Edo State Government made the disclosure in its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Wednesday.
It wrote, “Traffic decongestion: Gov Okpebholo flags off first flyover in Edo.
“Edo State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo has flagged off the construction of a flyover bridge at Ramat Park, Benin City, the State Capital, as part of immediate efforts to reduce traffic congestion in the city.”
I Previously Called For Simon Ekpa To Be Shot – APC Chieftain
I Make $40,000 Montly With Content Creation Says Blessing CEO
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah Laid To Rest In Nnewi Amidst Tight Security
Tinubu Moves To Transform Tragedy To Prosperity With Livestock Investment
Nicki Minaj Teams Up With Davido On ‘The Pink Print’ Anniversary
Simon Ekpa’s Arrest Will Restore Peace In South East, Says Enugu Gov’t
OSSG Raises Alarm Over Murder Plot By APC Chieftain
NCC, SMEDAN, NAICOM, SEC, Others Set for SUPERNEWS SMEs Conf June 13
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
