The Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) has disowned the Secured Anchorage Area (SAA) located some nautical miles to Lagos ports; it also directed shipping companies to stop patronising the facilities.
The Lagos SAA is a dedicated anchor point for ships that are waiting for berthing spaces in Lagos Port Complex (LPC) or Tin Can Island Port.
The security services provided for such vessels against attacks by pirates and sea robbers are offered by a private security firm; Ocean Marine Services(OMS), which is owned by a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but operated by Nigerians and some expatriates.
The Lagos Secure Anchorage (LSA) was conceived in 2012, in the wake of rising pirate attacks, especially on ships at the Lagos Anchorage area.
With arms handled by personnel of the Nigerian Navy, the secure anchorage is patronized by most of the top grade shipping lines, especially; Maersk Line, CMA CGM, as well tankers, and many others.
However, the Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA), last week directed that shipping lines should no longer pay for private security and escorts onboard their vessels while approaching the Lagos Anchorage Area.
Acknowledging that shipping lines pay as much as $2000 each day for security at the Lagos Secure Anchorage Area, the Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman said at a stakeholders meeting in Lagos last week that NPA has procured some patrol vessels to enhance waterfront security at the ports.
The NPA directive came after the General Manager, Operations, Greenview Development Nigeria Limited (GDNL) Mr. Yakubu Abdullahi that its terminal has been under serial attacks as a result of lack of security patrol.
The fears expressed by GDNL were also corroborated by officials of some multinational shipping lines at the meeting.
The NPA Managing Director, who was represented by Executive Director, Marine and Operations; Dr Sekonte Davies disclosed that NPA has procured some part vessels to enhance waterfront security at the ports.
According to her, it is NPA’s responsibilities to provide security for vessels at the ports and at the anchorage area.
She told stakeholders who included shipping companies that, the NPA is partnering with the Nigerian Navy with a view to strengthening waterfront security at the port.
The NPA MD stressed hat, “Today, marine notice has been issued. There is no longer any anchorage addressed as ‘Safe Anchorage’ .We are aware that $2000 is being charged on the first day and every other subsequent day is $1500, we know that is it increasing charges and that would not exist anymore from today”
“To provide anchorage is NPA’s responsibility and the Navy has been in collaboration with us to ensure that every anchorage of NPA is safe. The National Security Adviser and the Chief of Naval Staff are collaborating with us”, she added.
However, sources at the OMS who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent last week that, the firm has a subsisting approval from both the Navy and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA).
The source also said that, the Secure Anchorage Services is voluntary and that the security firm’s clientele include leading shipping lines that are desirous of safety for their ship, crew and cargo on board.
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