More facts emerged at the weekend as to why the Federal Government decided to scrap the Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and Security (PICOMSS).
Sources at the Presidency confirmed to our correspondent last week that the decision to ‘kill’ PICOMSS had actually been taken long before the appointment of the incumbent National Security (NSA), Col Sabo Dasuki (rtd).
More facts emerged at the weekend as to why the Federal Government decided to scrap the Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and Security (PICOMSS).
Sources at the Presidency confirmed to our correspondent last week that the decision to ‘kill’ PICOMSS had actually been taken long before the appointment of the incumbent National Security (NSA), Col Sabo Dasuki (rtd).
Our correspondent learnt that the management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) teamed up with the office of former NSA Gen Owoye Asazi (now deceased)) to ensure that the Maritime Security Agency (MASECA) that was being promoted by PICOMSS did not see the light of the day.
“It was the late NSA who convinced President Goodluck Jonathan to withdraw the controversial MASECA Bill at the Senate, he convinced the President based on some sentiments and the President agreed”, our source lamented, even as he stated that were it not for the death of President Umar Yar’ Adua the MASECA would have been long established.
Prior to the decision to withdraw the Bill, the then-NSA whose office superintends the PICOMSS was joined by the NIMASA director general, Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi , and the duo succeeded in killing MASECA.
Gen Asazi actually convinced the President that creating MASECA would mean amending the NIMASA Act and that the move will whittle down the relevance of the agency which coincidentally is being headed by an Ijaw man.
Our source who is also very close to the happenings in the NSA‘s office also disclosed that the new NSA; Col Dasuki had tried to reopen the MASECA lobby, but each time he brought it up with President Jonathan, he met a brick wall.
It was an attempt to portray PICOMSS as a drain pipe that led to the allegation late in 2012 that the chairman of PICOMSS, AVM Salihu Atawodi (rtd) was involved in a contract scam.
He was dragged before the State Security Service (SSS) over alleged N3billion contract for the supply of six units of K-38 patrol boats to the committee.
Also dragged before the SSS were two Israelis; Maj. Shay Tal (rtd) and David Maman, whose company; M-15, facilitated contact between Hypertech Nigeria Limited/ Hypertech UK Limited and Zvi Yanai (aka Turbo), who was the agent appointed by TP Marines of The Netherlands to sell the six units of K-38 boats.
There was a lot of attempt to paint PICOMSS in bad light, but they were all aimed at scrapping it and ensuring that MASECA never saw the light of the day again.
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