The House of Representatives has accused the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) of negligence in the discharge of its responsibility.
The verdict was contained in the report of the add -hoc Committee mandated by the House to determine why the Warri, Port Harcourt, Onne, Calabar and Onitsha river ports do not enjoy patronage.
The committee which worked last year, said it discovered that the NIMASA failed to provide adequate security to vessels despite collecting 3% freight charge from every vessel that enters Nigerian waters.
The committee raised alarm that the poor patronage of some ports in the Niger Delta area was because of inadequate security in the approaches to the ports.
According to the report, copy of which was obtained by Shipping Position Daily, the 17- member committee also indicted the Nigerian Navy for not providing adequate security to vessels and cargoes going to the ports in the zone.
The committee also alleged that the Navy collects $50,000 from every vessel, before escorting it to berth.
It noted that the main responsibility of NIMASA which is to is ensure safe and secured shipping has been neglected, and that this was partly responsible for the low patronage in these ports.
The Committee reported that it also discovered that the security situation along the Eastern shipping corridor (waterways) has become a major challenge to ship owners, shipping lines, and port operators; it added that this is so worrisome that any ship on the route must carry what is termed “war insurance” or “War Risk Surcharge” and additional security.
“The poor security situation prevalent in the Niger Delta area in recent years has spurred International shipping companies to place high risk rating when estimating freight charges to transport goods to the Eastern Ports higher than cost charged for shipments to Lagos”, it submitted.
In the report, the committee also described the Eastern zone as hotspot for kidnapping, sea robberies and piracy which has created a difference of $300 in freight rate between Lagos and eastern ports. This situation according to the committee has made ships going to the zone to use private security to avoid attacks.
“Ship owners therefore become very apprehensive when approached by shippers to hire their vessels to Eastern Ports.
“Vessels going to the Eastern Ports move in convoy, and are alleged to use private security, (which is the responsibility of the Nigerian Navy), Armed Marine Police or the option of the Vessel stopping at Lagos to board armed Guards for the vessel which is not only expensive but time consuming. This perception by ship owners that the area is still insecure and therefore, has continued to utilize the Lagos ports as against other ports in the country.” the report said.
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