An indigenous tanker vessel; MT More Prosperity belonging to the Chairman of the Indigenous Shipowners Association of Nigeria (ISAN) was highjacked by pirates offshore Lagos after being allegedly diverted by the charterer, Ax-Energy Limited, owned by Mr. Abdul Alao Arisekola for an illegal bunkering job.
An indigenous tanker vessel; MT More Prosperity belonging to the Chairman of the Indigenous Shipowners Association of Nigeria (ISAN) was highjacked by pirates offshore Lagos after being allegedly diverted by the charterer, Ax-Energy Limited, owned by Mr. Abdul Alao Arisekola for an illegal bunkering job.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos yesterday, Chairman of ISAN and Chief Executive Officer of Morlap Shipping Company Limited, Chief Isaac Jolapamo said that the vessel was chattered to load 15000mt of diesel offshore Lagos for discharge in Lome, Togo but that the charterer had another intentions of using it lift adulterated kerosene.
Jolapamo said that but for the intervention of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the combined effort of the Nigerian Navy and Air Force, the ship would have been missing forever. The vessel was later discovered around the Escravos after eight days and after extensive damage to her equipment, including the removal of her name and funnel markings.
Meanwhile the Captain of the vessel, Capt Adebanjo and the crew are being detained.
The ISAN boss has however raised alarm and called on the SSS, EFCC and the Police to ensure that the case is properly investigated because the owner of the company; Arisekola Abdul, is already enmeshed in oil subsidy scandal with the Federal Government.
"The vessel did not find the mother vessel at the position given on her voyage instruction, but instead of returning to Lagos anchorage, she went further at the charterer’s instruction to another location to receive DPK from a ship with no name and IMO number", he said further.
"It was a telephone call from Mr. Jubril Rowaye of Brilla Energy saying his DPK cargo onboard his widely reported missing vessel, MT Itiri has found its way to my vessel".
"I want to call on the security and law enforcement agents to thoroughly investigate this saga especially the source of the DPK said to have been loaded and discharged by my vessel".
Chief Jolapamo lamented that his company is currently indebted to banks to the tune of N40million for ship acquisition and that since the beginning of the implementation of the Cabotage Act, his vessel has reduced from six to just one which is now damaged by the highjackers.
"This year is 10years that Cabotage started and instead of increasing, we are reducing in size, I used to have six vessels 10 years ago, but now I am reduced to one, and the one I have now I am indebted, the ISAN chairman lamented".
"ISAN started with myself, Capt Iheanacho and Capt Labinjo, I know that Capt Labinjo has no working ship today, I know that Capt. Ihenacho vessel has depleted”, he stressed futher.
He said that many shipping companies have closed shops due to the unfavorable shipping environment in Nigeria and that many of the seafarers are now disgruntled due to lack of jobs.
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