The Nigeria Fish Trawler Owners Association (NITOA) has raised fresh alarm over recurring hijack of fishing trawlers within Nigerian territorial water.
President of the NITOA; Mr John Overo, said in Lagos that attacks on vessels had started rising again.
He said that vessels belonging to his members were being attacked and their catches stolen by the pirates.
Overo, therefore, called on the Federal Government to assist in stemming the ugly development.
The Nigeria Fish Trawler Owners Association (NITOA) has raised fresh alarm over recurring hijack of fishing trawlers within Nigerian territorial water.
President of the NITOA; Mr John Overo, said in Lagos that attacks on vessels had started rising again.
He said that vessels belonging to his members were being attacked and their catches stolen by the pirates.
Overo, therefore, called on the Federal Government to assist in stemming the ugly development.
“We lose colossal investments to the pirates because they also remove valuable items in the vessels, whenever they attacked.
“They always remove electronic gadgets on board, which include the SSB Radio, VHF Radio, Radar and Echo Sounder,’’ he said.
Overo described the situation as worrisome and pleaded with the government to evolve measures that could checkmate activities of sea pirates before they escalated.
“NITOA has often called for provision of adequate security in the Nigerian territorial waters.
“This is to ensure safe operations for fishing vessels and other law abiding maritime users,’’ he said.
Overo urged the Federal Government to provide effective security in Nigerian Maritime environment in the overall interest of the nation.
The NITOA president said that the appeal was necessary to save the sector from collapse due to huge overhead costs, especially the high cost of diesel.
“These precarious situations will likely make the sector to go under.
“Our productivity has declined due to high cost of diesel used in operating the trawlers,’’ he complained.
Overo said that 85 per cent of the sector operation was being run solely on diesel, thus incurring huge overhead costs.
“This is so because it is only in the fishing industry that diesel alone accounts for 85 per cent of production cost,’’ he said.
According to him, each vessel consumes an average of 60 tonnes of diesel daily which cost N10 million for the 45-day fishing trip.
He urged the Federal Government to create enabling environment for trawling investments to thrive.
He also urged the government to extend the Export Expansion Grant to NITOA members.
“Government should ensure that the Negotiable Duty Certificate, which is a product of EEG, is acceptable by the Nigeria Customs Service from trawler operators,’’ he said.
Overo commended the efforts of the Marine Navy in patrolling the nation’s water to ensure security of lives and properties.
He called for adequate funding of the Nigeria Navy to enhance its effectives.
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