Chikere Chigozie (Rector Emdee School)
Chikere Chigozie (Rector Emdee School)
Since NIMASA took over as the designated government agency for ISPS Code implementation in May 2013, a lot of positive changes have taken place. You would recall that it was in August 2013, barely two months after, that the US Coast Guard carried out their last official assessment in Nigeria. Today, one year after, notable progress has been made and we can see that more than 22 port facilities in Nigeria are now ISPS code compliant as against 9 or 10, prior to May 2013. Today, effective anti-terrorism measures are being put in place in most port facilities nationwide in response to NIMASA's on-going verification inspection exercise. It is a very big plus for the maritime industry, especially now that Nigeria is facing serious security challenges. It means the higher the number of ISPS code compliant facilities we have, the easier it is for vessels leaving our ports to gain access to ports in the US.
Dr. Zebulon Ikokide (President NIFFCB)
I will say we are complying because, even though some of the terminals have not fully complied yet, but they making efforts to do the right thing by putting in place necessary security apparatus. Our problem as regards the ISPS code is that when the heat was on, we tend to measure up, but as soon as the heat subsided everybody also relaxed and it’s a problem. As part of the progress made so far, the NIMASA now has a full department with a director to that effect and that will show you that there has been high level of compliance and progresses made.
Comrade John Okpono (Merchant Navy)
According to NIMASA declaration, security challenges on our waters have reduced, we don't have much attacks internally as we used to have them before, what it means is that the ISPS Code is all about security in relation to the ports and the facilities. I will score Nigeria 80% on ISPS Code implementation, but the small jetties are still lagging behind a little, nevertheless, Rome was not built in a day, with the latest development that NIMASA will be clamping down on those who do not meet up the minimum requirements, this will help those terminals lagging behind to make sure that they measure up with the standard set out by NIMASA otherwise such terminals will be clamped down, nobody will establish a jetty and at the end of the day allow it to be closed down because it did not meet up the ISPS Code standard . Overall, I think we have tried and since the regulator has promised to clamp down on defaulters, this will ginger them to meet up with what is expected of them.
Dr. Samuel Babatunde (Registrar POTEMAN)
The coming of the US Coast Guard to Nigerian on ISPS code implementation is good for us in the area of security and I can say that NIMASA has done a lot of improvement as a regulatory body, NIMASA has swung into action by appointing relevant officers for what you call executive monitoring of all the various port concessionaires right in Lagos, down to Port Harcourt and Calabar respectively and of course, Warri is not excluded. However, we won't say that NIMASA have not encountered several challenges since the implementation of such policy, because we all know that under the ISPS Code three distinguish part are very essential. The first part which has to do with shipping lines, terminal operators and finally the regulatory agencies which assist the government in the implementation of this policy. I can say that if we have to score ourselves in the implementation of the policy I will give 55% although there is need for us to improve so that before the next visit of the US Coast Guard, we might have been able to achieve up to 75% which will give us a high mark. NIMASA should create more awareness in order to ensure that other stakeholders are engaged.
Mr. Chima Sampson (Registrar, Nigerian Institute of Shipping)
The security challenges experienced in the country calls for all stakeholders to put their hands on the deck, however, Nigeria has tried with the level of compliance , I’ll rate it 65%. Nigeria is a country that operates level one, but we need to step up the security and safety level predominantly. I believe that if efforts are directed towards the safety of life and equipment at the port, we will further gain more recognition compared to what is obtainable presently. The implementation of ISPS code needs more of aggression than laxity on the part of the agency involved.
Comrade Matthew Adele (Dockworker)
I believe there have been some level of progress towards the ISPS code implementation, after USA have threatened to sanction us. After the America threat to sanction us, NIMASA has been given more power to combat any challenges confronting her. But above all, I will say there has been an increasing level of compliance in the nations ports by the concessionaires
Mr. Tunji Obagbo(POTEMAN)
I will say that we have made an impact when it comes to the implementation of that policy in the sense that NIMASA has put in their best when you talk about organizing seminars and training for its staff regarding the security of the ships and ports facilities. Also NIMASA has been given more power to face any challenges. There is no place you will go that you won't find terminal operators ensuring that their facilities are compliant.
Odulaja Eniola (Stakeholder)
To a large extent, I will say most of the conventional terminals in Lagos have done well as regards compliance level, but I think NIMASA should do more in the areas of the jetties where most of the tank farms are located. But overall performance, I will say a lot of progress has been recorded.
Discussion about this post