Oluyinka Onigbinde & Joshua Yousouph
Shipping Position Daily findings have revealed that urgent calls and letters written to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) by Global West Vessel Limited to rescue the two vessels; MV WAO Ethiope and NIMASA BARUGU that sank recently, were allegedly jettison by the agency.
Our correspondents gathered that Global West Vessel Limited had written several letters since January last year calling the attention of NIMASA to the state of the vessels but was however not given the needed attention.
According to one of the letters written by the company to NIMASA, which was exclusively obtained by our correspondent. It reads: “Sequel to our letter dated 06/11/21. Reference No. GWVSLDISTVESSLS06/11/21.
“Regarding the helpless state of the PPP vessels, I write to bring to your notice yet again that the situation is yet to be considered positively.
“Presently the above mentioned vessels need urgent action to rescue them before they sink.
“Our crew onboard have been pump water from these vessels since January 14, 2022 and there is no improvement.
“As stated in our previous letter. it is beyond our capability now financially.
“If nothing is done urgently to these vessels they will sink and block the Badagry ship channel.
“Sir. I very humbly request that you cause action to meet with the rescue of this vessels. And indeed all other vessels under the PPP agreement to avoid the looming risk of great loss (sinking) of vessels. Thanks for your anticipated timely response” one of the letters read.
Meanwhile, our reporter also gathered that against the recent statement by the Assistant Director, Public Relations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Mr Edward Osagie, that the vessel that sank last weekend was one of the Global West’s platforms engaged by NIMASA some years ago.
Osagie, in the reaction to the incident had said that, the boat and its management have been a subject of litigation while its crew doesn’t report to NIMASA anymore.
According to him, the boats and its management have remained a subject of litigation and under the custody of the EFCC for years.
Osagie also informed that NIMASA recently made concerted efforts towards reactivating a few of the serviceable boats in this fleet but was constrained by the legal encumbrances due to the nature of the case in court. As a law-abiding entity, we approached the matter under sound legal advisory.
“Finally, it must be stated that this vessel was not in our jetty and under our management at the time of the incident. The crew on board does not report to NIMASA but to Global West management, its owners.
“NIMASA remains committed to her statutory responsibility of administering safety and regulating the industry within the ambit of every lawful framework,” Osagie noted.
However, according to the agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessels, the contract terminated on the 3rd of April 2022 (exactly 10 years when the boat sunk) and all vessels cease to be under the ownership of GWVSL, but NIMASA.
Letters obtained exclusively by our correspondent also showed that NIMASA had always delayed in paying the monthly incentive in fragrant disregard to the time frame in the agreement, noting that NIMASA last paid in March 2015 before the investigation of NIMASA by the EFCC.
Recall that in 2015, the EFCC charged Global West Vessel Specialist Limited to Court for Bench Mark and Vessels Specification on CHARGE NO FHC/555/2015. After five years in court, on the 15th of July 2020, the court discharged GWVSL of any wrong doing.
Read Also: Reps Summon Amaechi Over Delay In Expired NPA Leases
According to documents obtained by our correspondent, Global West had written letters before and after the case in 2020, about the situation and the way forward, but nothing from NIMASA.
It quoted the PPP Vessels in Distress at Lagos Base to include: Wao Ethiope, NIMASA Barugu, NIMASA Oglakrigha and NIMASA Lagos.
The NIMASA spokesperson; Mr Osagie said that the incident was an unfortunate development but pointed out that the vessel under reference was one of Global West boats that was in service with the agency years ago.
“This boat has the name NIMASA-Barugu right from the days of the contract. There are also other boats in this contractual category in Warri.
“Collectively, the boats and their management have remained a subject of litigation and under the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for years,” he confirmed.
He said that for the avoidance of doubt, it was on record that NIMASA recently made concerted efforts toward reactivating a few of the serviceable boats in this fleet, but was constrained by the legal encumbrances due to the nature of the case in court.
“As a law-abiding entity, we approached the matter under sound legal advisory.
“Finally, it must be stated that this vessel was not in our jetty and under our management at the time of the incident.
“The crew onboard does not report to NIMASA but to Global West management, its owners,” he said.
Kindly like us on Facebook
