NIMASA N50b Floating Dockyard Missing On Marina Waterfront

The floating dry dock acquired by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) at a whooping N50 billion has disappeared from the Marina water front in Lagos, investigations have revealed.

The floating dock has been lying idle at the Marina Jetty since its arrival into Lagos on June 11, 2018.

It was gathered that NIMASA allegedly spends $10, 000 (N3.6 million) daily as running cost of the facility.

The whereabout of the Dockyard has continued to generate controversies among maritime players.

Sources disclosed that the floating dockyard had sailed out of the Lagos waters for about four weeks, as the current location of the facility is relatively unknown.

Recall that the Delta State Government had set up a committee to address calls by stakeholders in the state to relocate the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) floating dockyard from Lagos to the Nigeria Maritime University (NMU) in Gbaramatu Kingdom.

His Royal Majesty, King Williams Naira Ogoba, Oboro Gbaraun 11, Aketekpe, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, had also urged the federal government through NIMASA to urgently relocate the acclaimed Maritime University Dockyard from Lagos to the area.

Observers said the failure by NIMASA to secure a berthing space and deploy the multibillion naira floating dock to commence operation after it took delivery of the facility has again exposed the cart before the horse approach often deployed by the agency.

Observers said it is estimated that NIMASA has so far spent a whopping $500, 000 (N180 million) as cost for berthing the floating dock since its arrival to Nigeria on June 11.

When contacted, spokesman of NIMASA, Isichei Osamgbi declined comments as he refused to return calls and text messages sent across to him.