- Stakeholders fault NIMASA’s ‘lackadaisical attitude’
Nigeria loses N2billion, monthly, to piracy attack, investigation by The Point has revealed.
Specifically, the country loses over $500million (N2billion) freight charges, monthly, owing to piracy, sea-robbery and other maritime crimes on the nation’s waters.
It was gathered that due to lack of provision of adequate security on our waterways by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, ships bound for Nigeria now divert to other neighbouring countries to avoid attacks from pirates.
According to reports, Nigeria’s waters have been flagged by the global body, International Maritime Bureau, as the most notorious and dangerous in the region due to constant pirate attacks and sea robberies.
The International Maritime Bureau, Oceans Beyond Piracy and the Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Program all reported that the number of vessels attacked in Nigeria had reached a world record high.
IMB is a specialised department of the International Chamber of Commerce, dedicated to fighting maritime crime and malpractice.
Between October and December 2018, several attacks were also reported off Nigeria’s coast. This was said to involve pirates stealing cargoes of crude oil and petroleum products.
Reports had it that no fewer than 44 ship crew members were abducted in the last quarter of the year, with over 20 commercial vessels attacked on Nigerian waters.
Stakeholders have, however, bemoaned NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy for not meeting up with expectations of stakeholders.
A Maritime Analyst, Tunji Alaaye, has bemoaned the agency’s lackadaisical attitude to the issue of security on Nigeria’s waterways.
He said, “NIMASA has not met up with expectations; they have been lackadaisical about issues of security on our waterways, and this is not good for the economy. Nigeria is losing a whopping amount to insecurity on our waterways.
“And I believe the Agency should do better than that. I learnt that the Agency spent over N500million at its recently held corporate dinner and merit awards at Eko Hotels, Lagos. This is absurd. Why can’t they channel that money to fighting insecurity instead of celebrating mediocrity?”
Another Maritime expert, Jide Alagbe, called for the quick passage of the law that would address insecurity on Nigeria’s waterways.
He said, “The increasing level of attacks and violence in Nigeria have given Nigeria a very damaging and negative image in addition to an estimated monthly loss of $2billion to the country.
“If we are to make any progress in this regard, NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy must step up their game, and as matter of urgency, the government must pass laws that will address insecurity in the sector, especially piracy.”
