Maritime
Maritime workers insist on strike over NIMASA, NLNG face-off
LAGOS – Leaders of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, have insisted that the threat to shut down the nation’s Maritime sector over alleged refusal of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd, NLNG, to the statutory levies to Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, still subsists.
MWUN had in the second week on May in a petition to President Goodluck Jonathan, issued a 21-day to NLNG to pay to NIMASA without further delay, all accumulated 3% levies on gross freight and 2% surcharge due on its cabotage contracts to NIMASA failing which the union will shut down all the ports operations in the country including NLNG areas of operation.
At a rally to commend President Jonathan for ongoing capacity building and oversea training of Nigerians in critical maritime sector, warned that at expiration of ultimatum (this week), if the issue was not resolved in favour of NIMASA, the ports would be shut down.
President-General of MWUN, Anthony Nted Emmanuel, said “we have made it clear that after 21 days, if the issue is not resolved and NIMASA paid accordingly, we will shut down the sector. We hear they are meeting; our concern is not meeting, but resolution that will compel NLNG to pay the accumulated levies and dues. This affects our members and their training. The default started in 2004, but we hear there is agreement for the payment to commence in 2009. But the payment has not been effected. So, we are waiting and mobilizing.
The union had petitioned President Jonathan, pleading with him to intervene in the on-going dispute between NIMASA and NLNG and compel NLNG to pay NIMASA’s statutory levies in the interest of the welfare and training of Dockworkers and seafarers.
Similarly, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to call NLNG, to order, over its alleged refusal to pay the statutory levies of 3% gross freight on international inbound and outbound cargoes carried by NLNG vessels engaged in cabotage trade to NIMASA.
TUC argued that whether such vessels owned by their subsidiary, Bonny Gas Transport Limited or chartered by them, and the 2% of contract sum on their vessels, whether owned by their wholly-owned subsidiary, Bonny Gas Transport Limited or chartered by them, engaged in cabotage trade should be paid to NIMASA.
At a briefing Nted, said “we are aware that the law setting up NIMASA i.e. the NIMASA Act 2007 in section 15 stipulates that the Agency shall be funded by monies accruing to it from among other sources – 3 percent of gross freight on all international inbound and outbound cargoes from ships or shipping companies operating in Nigeria… as part of the funds to meet the operational cost of the Agency. The law also makes it clear that all ships and shipping companies operating in Nigeria are expected to obey this provision. We are also aware Sir, that apart from its general duty with respect to the development of shipping and merchant shipping and seafarers, NlMASA i.e. the only Agency of government statutorily empowered to: “Provide direction on, qualification, certification, employment and welfare of maritime labour in Nigeria; regulate and administer the certification of seafarers; establish maritime training and safety standards; enforce and administer the provisions of the Cabotage Act 2003/ and develop and implement policies and programmes which will facilitate the growth of local capacity in ownership, manning and construction of ships and other maritime infrastructure in Nigeria; among other responsibilities.”
“The foregoing provision clearly puts NIMASA at a very strategic position with respect to maritime labour issues in Nigeria particularly as regards the training of Seafarers and Dockworkers. Iv1r President would recall that this was the sole duty of the defunct Joint Maritime Labour Industrial Council, JOMALIC, before the Council was merged with the then Nigerian Maritime Authority, NMA, to form the present NIMASA in 2007, Hence it is now the statutory responsibility of NIMASA to undertake the training, certification, development of Seafarers and Dockworkers in order to meet the needs of the industry. Also by the nature of the maritime industry world-wide, maritime training has to be done both locally and abroad.
“It is a known fact that training and other maritime infrastructure development are capital intensive. Hence NIMASA’s responsibility in this regard cannot be’ met with its lean budgetary allocations. It is in this respect that we are particularly surprised to learn of the flagrant refusal by the NLNG to pay the statutory levies due to the government on it is shipping activities as well as the 2% levy on its cabotage activities in Nigeria’s coastal waters. Needless to state that the said refusal by the NLNG to pay the accumulated 3% gross freight on its business activities from its inception in 1989 to date has drastically reduced the revenue available to NIMASA and in turn undermined its ability to carry out its operations, perform its statutory responsibilities and in particular compromised its ability to meet its core functions with respect to maritime labour issues in Nigeria. We recognize the danger posed by the said refusa1by the NLNG to meet its statutory responsibility with respect to payment of taxes and levies due from its operations; including the negative precedent as other companies may be tempted to toe the same line of action. This Union strongly believes that the NLNG should be subject to the laws of this country because it is operating and doing business in Nigeria.”
Meantime while, commending President Jonathan, for capacity building and empowering Nigerians to take up critical jobs in the nation’s maritime industry, MWUN President-General
called on the President to do more and ensure that in the nearest future Nigeria would become a supplier of highly trained professionals in maritime industry to other sub-Saharan countries.
According to Nted, over 2000 Nigerians had been sent abroad for training captains, Marine engineers, Naval Architects among others, saying before the end of the year 1000 would going for similar training.
He recalled that Nigeria used to a have a fleet of vessels managed by Nigerian National Shipping Line, but all had disappeared and the captains, Marine engineers and other highly trained professionals had left Nigeria for greener pasture.
According to him, “Today, President Goodluck Jonathan, has been trying to revive this area dearth of highly skilled professionals in the country and so far, he has done well. But like Oliver Twist, we are expecting more. The President through NIMASA has been sending many Nigerians out of this country for training on Maritime related programme. A time will come when other countries in sub-Saharan Africa will be coming here to look for captains on board, Marine Engineers and Naval Architects. Over 2,000 have gone and at the end of this year, another 1,000 will be traveling out for seminar training. Some of them have travelled to Philippine, India among other countries.
“You know that the Philippine is a centre of maritime activities. Many countries send their nationals there to be professionally trained. Most of the vessels that ply Nigerian waters are foreign vessels and majority of the seafarers you see on board are the Philippinos, the captains, the marine Engineer and so on. The implication is that they have taken the jobs meant for Nigerians. That is why we are happy with what the government is doing. That is why we said let us organize solidarity to thank the president for what he has done in the Maritime industry. And also ask for more. We are not politicians. All we are doing today is not politically motivated. When they do what is wrong we will shout and when they do what is right, we will say Mr. President thank you. It is not all the time we criticize. We also come out to commend when it is right. In the Maritime industry, we believe in constructive criticism.”
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called for a comprehensive action in Nigeria’s bid to be elected into Category C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council, as he inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Committee to promote the campaign.
Speaking at the inauguration held at the Boardroom of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (FMMBE) in Abuja on Tuesday, Oyetola said the campaign must be all-inclusive, taking into consideration diplomatic and operational strategies in soliciting votes to yield good dividends.
He explained that, having lost out three times between 2011 and 2019 after its successful stints in 1975, 2001, and 2005, Nigeria is due to return to the Council to cement its relevance as a strategic Maritime domain and a strong voice in West Africa.
On his part, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said, “The need for Nigeria’s return to Council is imperative given our strategic location and significance as a hub of Maritime activities and as a voice for the sub-region on the IMO Council, where crucial decisions regarding international maritime shipping and trade are made.”
ALSO READ: Tinubu Endorses Six IMO Instruments Of Accession
He added that membership in the Council comes with such benefits as “technical assistance, manpower and institutional development, as well as political influence in the maritime sector of the global economy.”
The inter-ministerial committee for Nigeria’s election to the IMO Executive Council at the 34th Regular Session in 2025 comprises high-level officials led by the Permanent Secretary of the FMMBE, Olufemi Oloruntola.
The committee is tasked with identifying activities and actions that will promote Nigeria’s standing in the IMO community by articulating and showcasing the country’s maritime achievements.
Members of the committee include the Director of Maritime Security and Safety from the FMMBE and the Director-General of the NIMASA, who will serve as alternate chairpersons.
Other members are; the Directors of Legal Services and Maritime Services from the FMMBE, the Director of International Organisations Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), the Managing Director of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority, and the Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron.
Others include the former Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Ade Dosunmu (stakeholder); the representative of the Office of the Honourable Minister of the FMMBE, Dr. Charles Akinola; and the Assistant Director, Maritime Pollution Control at the FMMBE, Mr. Paschal Ogah, who will serve as Secretary to the Committee.
Meanwhile, the Direvtor-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has officially presented the six IMO instruments assented to by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, GCFR, to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.
He thanked the Minister for facilitating the signing of the IMO Conventions, noting that, ‘these six conventions have been pending within the Ministry and government for the last 6 to 8 years. With the efforts of the Honourable Minister, they have now been assented to by Mr. President and will be delivered and showcased with the IMO.’
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the instruments of accession for six Conventions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
This action paves the way for Nigeria to officially deposit these instruments of accession at the IMO headquarters, which serves as the repository for such conventions. This move is expected to enhance Nigeria’s maritime governance and align its practices with international standards, promoting maritime safety, security, and environmental protection.
It was gathered that the six instruments signed by President Tinubu are the Instrument of Accession of the Protocol of 2005 to the 1988 Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms on the Continental Shelf, the Instrument of Accession of the International Convention of Standards of Training, Certification, and Watch-keeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel 1995; and the Instrument of Accession of the Protocol Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in cases of Pollution by Substances other than Oil, 1973 as Amended (INTERVENTION PROTOCOL).
ALSO READ: MAN Counts On Govt’s Support For Dangote Refinery To Boost More Downstream Investments
Others are the Instrument of Accession to the Protocol of 1996 to Amend the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC) 1976; the Instrument of Accession to the Protocol to the 1974 Athens Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and Their Luggage by Sea, 2002; and the Instrument of Accession to the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009.
Presenting the instruments to the Hon Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, the Director-General of NIMASA, expressed his gratitude to the Minister for facilitating the signing of the IMO conventions by the President after several years of being pending in the Ministry.
In his words, “These six instruments have been lying within the Ministry for the last 6 to 8 years, and thanks to the efforts of the Honorable Minister, they have now been assented to by the President. This is a landmark achievement for Nigeria, as the IMO will soon update our records to recognize these instruments.
On his part, the Honorable Minister reassured stakeholders of the President’s commitment to developing the Nigerian maritime industry in line with global best practices.
By signing these instruments of accession, the President has reaffirmed this administration’s determination to take its rightful position among the comity of maritime nations. This development will undoubtedly further reassure member states and stakeholders of Nigeria’s resolve and determination to be a leading member of the decision-making body of the IMO.
The deposit of these six instruments of ratification will be carried out by the supervising Ministry, and NIMASA.
Following the recovery of the Flight Data Recorder FDR and Cockpit Voice Recorder CVR otherwise called the black box, of the Helicopter that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima, Port Harcourt, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) will share details of her findings therefrom with the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Biztellers reports that the black box was recovered last weekend through an inter-Agency collaboration involving NIMASA, the Nigerian Navy (NN), the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the NNPC Ltd, HydroDive in addition to other local and international search and rescue partners.
On the incident, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, commended all organs of government for the swift, and well-coordinated inter-agency partnership for the search and recovery operations.
ALSO READ: NNPC Ltd, SPDC Comfort Borno Flood Victims With US$1m
He revealed that NIMASA will share information on the incident with the IMO.
In his words, “In line with international maritime safety standards, NIMASA will report the findings about the helicopter crash into the Atlantic Ocean to the International Maritime Organization IMO via the Global Integrated Shipping Information System GISIS.
“By sharing the findings of the offshore Port Harcourt helicopter crash with the IMO, we at NIMASA demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and cooperation within the global maritime community”.
The GISIS is an online platform developed by the IMO to support the timely and accurate reporting of incidents, accidents, and other essential maritime data. This platform enables member states to share information crucial to improving safety protocols, updating best practices, and fostering international cooperation.
According to Mobereola, “NIMASA is committed to working closely with all relevant Agencies to determine the cause of the incident and to take all necessary steps to prevent future occurrences. As we mourn those lost, NIMASA reaffirms its dedication to the safety of Nigeria’s maritime domain and the continued strengthening of inter-agency collaboration.
On October 24th 2024, the Agency had received distress signals at the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) and the C4i center of the Deep Blue project and shared same with the Nigerian Navy who immediately deployed the NIMASA’s specialized search and rescue assets to the crash site to locate the downed aircraft and conduct recovery efforts under challenging conditions.
The helicopter crashed in the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima, at a distance of 1.4km from the starboard side of the Floating Producing Storage Offloading FPSO, NUIM ANTAN Producing Ltd owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC Limited).
The NIMASA working closely with the NN, the NSIB, the NNPC Ltd, HydroDive and other local and international search and rescue partners recovered the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG.
It was gathered that with the recovery of the black box, over 80 percent of the helicopter wreck had been recovered. Other items recovered include rotor, three blades, engine, gearbox, windows, cockpit overhead panels, the Electronic Locator, Transmitter (ELT) and the tail. All the recovered wreck is on a dump barge.
Meanwhile, the DG NIMASA has extended the Agency’s heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC Limited, the families of the victims, and all those affected by the tragic helicopter crash.
He stated, “Our deepest sympathies are with the NNPC, the families, and loved ones of those affected by this unfortunate incident. Safety is a paramount commitment for us at NIMASA, and we remain resolute in our partnership with the Nigerian Navy and other stakeholders to ensure effective, rapid response in emergencies.”
Johnny Drille Celebrates Daughter Amaris’s First Birthday
Federal Mortgage Bank Increases Loan Limit Amid Housing Challenges
Jigawa Commissioner Acquitted Of Adultery Charges By Kano Court
INEC To Present Certificates Of Return To Ondo Governor-Elect, Lucky Aiyedatiwa
Your Presidency Left Nigeria in Ruins, Tinubu Is Fixing It – Dare to Obasanjo
AFCONQ: Rwanda Defeat Nigeria But Miss Out On AFCON Spot
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
