Stakeholders in the maritime industry have reacted to the recent verdict of the Senate over the controversial Secured Anchorage Area contract given to Messrs OMSL.
Recall that Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) had suspended the firm’s operations at the Secure Anchorage Area (SAA) of Lagos for allegedly constituting a security threat and alleged high charges, which it said impacted negatively on the country’s ease of doing business rating.
Reacting to the Senate verdict Capt. Tajudeen Alao President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM) in a telephone chat with our correspondent, opines that the verdict given by the Senate was absolutely wrong, he said there is no place in the world where money is paid at Anchorage for security or protection, he explained that it is the duty of nations to provide a safety corridor at no additional cost to navigators.
According to him “there is no place in the world where money is paid at anchorage; it is the responsibility of member state, coastal state, in this case to provide a safety corridor at no additional cost to navigators, on innocent passage and Anchorage.”
He said that NIMASA already collects annual security surveillance levy beyond territorial waters and should provide security for vessels at anchorage. He added that the criteria for membership of Category C of IMO COUNCIL, is special Interest in marine transportation and navigation commitment, capacity and infrastructure in these areas.
“The criteria for membership of Category C of IMO COUNCIL, is special Interest in Marine Transportation and Navigation commitment, capacity and infrastructure in these areas”
“NIMASA already collects annual security surveillance levy beyond Territorial waters, so NPA responsibility is safety of Navigation in and port approaches.”.
He urged the Senators to seek knowledge from those who know about international shipping.
“So the NASS should seek knowledge from those who know International Shipping”, he advised.
On his part, Dr. Segun Musa a maritime analyst urged the NPA boss to stop playing politics, even has he alleged that most of the decision of the NPA managing director are being piloted by politicians.
In his words: “MD of NPA should stop bringing politics into ports administration. It is obvious that most of her decisions are being piloted by politicians and self interest and that's capable of further destruction of our already nosedive sector begging for attention.
“My candid opinion is that the MD of NPA should be mindful of her decisions which would be referred to in future as adding value or destroying the system”
“I think you need to remember that the Senate has oversight rights on the MDAs. The decision of the NPA is draconian in nature and would never encourage both indigenous and foreign investors to take Nigeria serious”
“It is the executive that awarded the concession and the present NPA needs to stop up-turning all decisions of past regime based on political interests, otherwise we won’t go anywhere from here”
He added that the attitudes of the NPA leadership is disrespect to the authority and if the country continues operating a lawlessness system, it would eventually lead to anarchy.
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