For the second time in about six months, users and providers of water transportation services in Lagos state are currently being subjected to another round of restrictions via a dusk to dawn curfew which was imposed on Lagos waters by the Federal Government.
The latest action has already made life and living quite difficult for residents of riverside communities, especially, those living in places like: Igboalejo, Lado, Ogogoro and several villages which dot the shores around the popular Takwa bay, Tin Can Island and the creeks along Lekki and Epe.
Apart from residents of these riverside communities, others who are largely affected by the curfew are traders, small-scale fishermen, owners and riders of dug- out canoes, speed boats, ferries. Of course, also affected are those who patronise the water crafts for questionable activities; such as robbery, trafficking in prostitutes, smuggling, illegal bunkering and other vices.
As much as one sympathises with those whose genuine and legal means of livelihood have been affected, we are also conscious of the fact that Lagos waters have been a source of worry to shipowners on account of countless sea robberies. The actions have caused Nigeria a great deal of bad reputation within the international shipping community. Nigeria is currently ranked second after Somalia on the list of nations where piracy thrives.
Of course, Lagos waters is not alone in this, it shares the responsibility for this rating with Niger Delta waters. Surprisingly, one does not get to hear of incessant curfews in Niger Delta waters, perhaps because the waters are already heavily policed by security operatives.
We recall that in response to repeated outcry by stakeholders, the Nigeria’s chief of defence staff, Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike sometime ago inaugurated an 11-member inter agency task force to tackle unrests and militancy as well as sea robbery on Nigerian waters.
Members of the committee were drawn from the armed forces, Customs, Police, Nigerian Ports Authourity, NIMASA and ministry of transport as well as that of interior and the State Security Service (SSS).
Unfortunately, that committee was not able to stop unwholesome practices on Nigerian waters. The committee only succeeded in harassing hapless owners of private jetties and tank farms in Lagos.
Not satisfied, the Navy has twice in the last six months drafted its men to supposedly return sanity to Lagos waters. The question is: why did the Navy fail in its first attempt. The answer is simple and that is that the Navy has either carried out wrong medication or it is applying wrong medication to a known ailment.
When the Atlas Cove was bombed last year, the Navy could not stop the militants, neither has it been able to reduce attacks on ships that are either at anchorage or awaiting berthing facilities in the harbours.
Mass unemployment and youth restiveness is largely responsible for the robberies and pockets of attacks on ships. The issue of insecurity on Nigerian waters can not be isolated from the prevailing socio-economic disequilibrium in Nigeria.
As much as we align with those who have expressed the belief that once the Navy, the Marine police and other relevant agencies are equipped, insecurity will be curtailed, we also believe very strongly that the approach will achieve better results if government tackles the issue of mass unemployment among youths.
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