GoG: With Commitment to Security, Nigeria Seeks End to War Risk Surcharge on Shippers
* NIMASA moves to remove wrecks on waterways
*Appeals for patience on disbursement of CVFF
By Francis Ugwoke
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, weekend called on the multinational shipowners, also known as conference liners,
to consider an end to the payment of the war risk surcharge imposed on Nigerian shippers as a result of the menace of piracy on Nigerian waters and generally on the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).
Jamoh who spoke at a press conference in Lagos said this was in view of the efforts Nigeria has made in addressing piracy and other maritime on the nation’s territorial waters.
He said that Nigeria was not only involved in tackling the issues of piracy on Nigerian waterways but also what happens generally in the GoG which according to him has been giving Nigeria a bad reputation eventhough it was not entirely her responsibility.
He argued that the continued imposition of the war risk insurance was a disservice to the country because of the effect on the national economy.
He disclosed that though the international community was pleased with the efforts by Nigeria on maritime security, the issue of GoG has become the reason why the international community was yet to review the war risk insurance surcharge on goods coming to the country.
Jamoh said an official of the Lloyd’s List Intelligence had acknowledged the efforts by Nigeria, but added that the group was still insisting on charging the war risk insurance , saying it wants to see the more commitment by the Nigerian government before any action could be taken.
Noting that this was also an indication that the world was aware of Nigeria’s efforts on checking security on the GoG, he expressed concern on why the surcharge will continue since Nigeria was not at war.
Jamoh said what the international shipping community should do as a demonstration of appreciation of efforts of Nigeria was to at least reduce the war risk insurance surcharge.
He told newsmen, “It is significant that critical stakeholders in the world shipping community, like Lloyd’s List, are recognising Nigeria’s efforts to make the Gulf of Guinea safe and secure for seafarers and ships. But it would be unfair for the world to sidestep such huge investment and commitment to maritime security and retain the high war risk insurance premium on ships bound for our waters.”
“Since the world now acknowledges our commitment to maritime security and the recent improvements in security, it is only fair that relevant stakeholders should begin to rethink the charges that predated such efforts by Nigeria.
“The poor masses of this country should not be made to pay for the actions of a few individuals bent on tarnishing Nigeria’s image.”
Reacting to the question on how the agency has been able to handle maritime security since the termination of private contract on Safe Anchorage Area (SAA) mainly for security of vessels calling at the nation’s territorial waters, Jamoh said the agency under the present arrangement was capable of providing needed security for vessels bringing goods into the country.
He said the agency on the termination of the SAA contract moved its available assets to provide security for vessels calling on the nation’s waters.
He said that though there were incidents before it took over, such issues have since reduced with the deployment of security assets.
He disclosed that while it recorded 10 attacks within the exclusive economic zone in January, it has not recorded more than one attack after deploying its security equipment in February after the termination of the SAA contract.
“We took charge of maritime security without any private security operator. Before deployment of security asset, we use to experience attacks almost on daily basis. But after the deployment in February, from December we recorded 10 attacks within the exclusive economic zone. In January, we started operating these items, we recorded one attack in February after the announcement we fully deployed , we recorded zero attack, March one attack, April – two, May – One. We are yet to see any attack in June”.
The Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, popularly called the Deep Blue Project which was inaugurated recently by President Muhammadu Buhari is designed with three categories of platforms to tackle maritime security issues on land, sea, and air.
The land assets comprise the Command, Control, Communication, Computer, and Intelligence Centre (C4i) for intelligence gathering and data collection; 16 armoured vehicles for coastal patrol; and about 600 specially trained troops for interdiction, known as Maritime Security Unit. On air, there are two Special Mission Aircraft for surveillance of the EEZ, one of which was received Wednesday, with the second expected to arrive May 18; three Special Mission Helicopters for search and rescue; and four Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. The sea assets consist of two Special Mission Vessels and 17 Fast Interceptor Boats.
Meanwhile, the NIMASA DG also disclosed that his agency has received the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to remove all wrecks and derelicts obstructing the nation’s waterways.
Jamoh said that with the approval, the agency would soon begin the exercise throughout the country.
He disclosed that the procurement process for the wreck removal has been completed as well as with the areas of the wrecks identified.
According to him, the three agencies of government, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) , National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and NIMASA are all empowered by their different laws to remove wrecks.
But he said that the agency received the consent of the two other agencies to carry out the exercise
On the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund (CVFF), the DG appealed for patience on the part of the stakeholders.
He said already 11 stakeholders have been shortlisted, adding that all that was needed was for a little more patient.
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