Amaechi Laments Delay in Execution of $195 million Maritime Security Contract
1. The Hon. Minister of transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Ameachi (sitting 3rd left), Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki (sitting 4th left), the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman (sitting left) and other Stakeholders at the 3rd Maritime Stakeholders’ Interactive Forum in Lagos, Thursday.
*Says Saraki to supervise maritime sector
By Francis Ugwoke
The Transportation Minister, Mr Rotimi Ameachi Thuirsday expressed concerns over the delay in the execution of the $195 million security contract awarded about two years ago.
The maritime security contract was awarded to an Israeli company, HLSI Security Systems & Technologies Limited to ensure the security of the nation’s maritime domain.
Amaechi who spoke in Lagos on the third edition of the Maritime Stakeholders Conference said it was disturbing that nothing concrete has been done two years after the contract was awarded.
He disclosed that the firm has been giving excuses that the equipment needed cannot be acquired off the shelf, but added that this was not enough for the delivery to take about two years since 2017.
Part of the contract is for the provision of 12 vessels and 20 amphibious cars, three battle equipped ships, three helicopters that will assist operatives in securing the nation’s waterways.
Amaechi said, “on maritime security, I have told the Israeli firm HLSI that they are too slow. By now, they should have launched. I want to know the situation of things with the aspect of security on our maritime space and I would be meeting with them on Tuesday.
“The contractor claimed that equipment meant for the project is not what you buy off the shelf but that to me is not enough reason for the delay in the takeoff of the project. HLSI said they have to fabricate the equipment and bring it down to Nigeria but we are losing manhour, human beings and business to insecurity on our waters.”
Amaechi while thanking stakeholders for the support given to him during his first tenure, confessed that he did not focus attention on the maritime industry.
He said to check what happened during the last term, the Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemi Saraki, will be supervising the maritime industry while he oversees it.
He also added that this will enable him for him to concentrate on the rail way projects.
He disclosed that an approval has been granted to complete the $5.3bn Ibadan- Kano rail project.
He also said that the Ministry has applied for funds to begin coastal rail for the Port-Harcourt to Warri segment, adding this was what will make the Warri Port work.
He said, “In my first term as minister, I completely abandoned the maritime sector to the heads of agencies. This term around, that won’t be happening again as I have instructed that the Hon. Minister of Transportation for State should personally supervise the maritime agencies, while I just oversee what is happening.
“There are two things I discussed with Mr. President that I will be focusing on in this second term as Minister, and they are maritime security and the single window project. I have assured government that by the end of 2020, we should have the single window at our maritime sector”.
Maritime stakeholders who attended the event called on the Minister to ensure that ports are linked with rail for a better trade facilitation.
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