Master Mariners, NIS, Merchant Navy Union Kick Against SAA Operations, Say Arrangement Illegal

Worried about the global maritime security implications, the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), Nigerian Institute of Shipping (NIS) and the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association have kicked against the Secure Anchorage Area (SAA) operated by Ocean Marine Services Limited (OMSL), saying is an illegal arrangement.

The bodies of ship captains , chief engineers senior officers on board ship along side the foremost maritime training institution, said OMSL activities only amounted to a rip off on the economy of Nigeria.

The group of maritme professionals , while condemning SAA operations in Nigerian waters over the weekend at an event to celebrate the World Maritime Day in Lagos, affirmed that the arrangement does not conform with any of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions.

National President NAMM, Captain Tajudeen Alao said there was nowhere in the world such a practice is condoned.

Captain Alao in his speech,asked for the return of Nigerian National Shipping Lines (NNSL) for the country saying it has several advantages for the nation’s shipping sector.

The mariner lamented that the minister of transportation cannot help the situation of SAA due to the security implications of the controversial agreement adding that maritime players would rally support and voice out the negativity surrounding such operations.

According to him, national line will be of economical importance to the country in times of emergency especially during security, war and the recent pandemic.

He queried that if international ships have refused to come to Nigeria during the Covid-19 pandemic,what would have become of the country.

“On Secure Anchorage, our position as Master Mariner, we are against it because there is nowhere in the world after twelve miles territorial water, is innocent passing and if you are coming into the country, 200 miles away, they will keep you off.

 

“The secure anchorage is illegal. It is a rip off. The minister cried out because his hands are tied.

Also speaking at the event, Registrar, Nigerian Institute of Shipping (NIS), Mr. China Sampson suggested the nation’s waters should be manned by coastguard and not private security operatives.

Sampson lamented that the monies collected daily by the OMSL for security purposes has negative implications to world maritime trade in West and Central Africa, calling on the government to revisit the issues and nip it in the bud.

Similarly, National President,Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association, Comrade Bob Yousuo lamented that the industry faces challenges because of the divide and rule tackle saying the coast guard operations will address issues of piracy and insecurity on the nation’s territorial waters.

Yousou was represented by the Secretary General of the union , Comrade Aleakhue Okpono John.

The President maintained that the revamping of NNSL would serve as the pride of the nation calling on stakeholders in the industry to speak with on voice in addressing issues confronting the shipping sub sector.

 

Recalled that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi had registered his displeasure with continuous patronage of Secure Anchorage Area of the maritime space

According to the Minister, an individual has sought to exploit the industry by collecting $1200 daily for Secure Anchorage in the country from ship owners.

He made this revelation while delivering a virtual keynote address at the 2020 World Maritime Day Celebration which held at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.

The Minister said the issue was quite unsettling.

He said, “There is a crisis in the Maritime sector. The crisis is on the issue of security.

“Today, we have a single individual partnering with the military that is the collecting $1,200 to the detriment of shipping companies.

“That one individual is still managing the business with support of other institutions.”

He accused stakeholders of doing nothing to the individual, stressing that no one other than the Minister has the right to step up a secure anchorage area.

He said, “The stakeholders are doing nothing to the individual and he is become so rich as a result of exploiting the industry.

“We are saying this is the time to say enough is enough.

“No individual has right to collect money. The Nigerian Ports Authority does not allow any other person than the Minister of Transportation to set up Secure Anchorage Area.”

In February 2020, the Minister suspended the Secure Anchorage Area contract.

According to Amaechi, the operation of the Secure Anchorage Area Contract was suspended because it is illegal to create anchorage for purposes of providing security.

The Secure Anchorage Area is an area outside the Lagos port that the Nigerian Navy, with a private company, has defined as a secure place where vessels can anchor safely from the threat of pirate attack.

The secure anchorage area was in contention between the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Ocean Marine Services Limited, who were providing security at the anchorage.

The NPA dismantled the Secure Anchorage Area operated by OMSL over security concerns.

It insisted that provision of security in the nation’s waters is not a business venture, but a constitutional responsibility of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency , Nigerian Navy and Marine Police.

 

By Roland Ekama