With barely one week to the of the expiration of the 90-day comply or get sanctioned threat issued by the United States Coast Guard to the Nigeria Government to ensure proper implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code port security, there are confirmations that Nigeria may not meet the August deadline
With barely one week to the of the expiration of the 90-day comply or get sanctioned threat issued by the United States Coast Guard to the Nigeria Government to ensure proper implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code port security, there are confirmations that Nigeria may not meet the August deadline
As at the time of putting this report together last week, maritime security stakeholders were still struggling to put measures in place to meet the even the minor demands of the US team which had inspected and passed a ‘not complaint’ verdict on most port and oil facilities terminals in Nigeria.
Even though, the the Federal Government has appointed the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) as the Designated Authority (DA) to midwife and implement the ISPS Code and NIMASA on its part has been partnering with relevant agencies to ensure that the deadline is met, some of the port facility officers on ground have expressed dissatisfaction with the arrangement.
Besides the frantic effort being made by NIMASA, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has received a prepared Port Facility Security Assessments (PFSA) and Port Facility Security Plans (PFSA) for all port terminals across the country.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that the USA Government had issued a threat to bar any vessels that have called at Nigerian port from entering any of American ports on account of the country’s non-compliance with the ISPS Code details.
At a meeting of Port Facility Security Officers (PFSO) Forum last week in Lagos,Chairman of the group; Mr. Subaru Anataku, reportedly said that the US threat should be taken seriously as time was running out on Nigeria.
The PFSO is a body of senior security personnel drawn from both the private and public sector facilities in the ports and the oil terminals.
And apparently worried that some facilities are yet to be compliant, the group at the meeting called for severe sanctions to be melted out to any terminal or facility that is not complying noting it is only when this is done that every body will fall into line.
However, some members of the Forum who pleaded anonymity said that the Designated Authority (NIMASA) needs to be guided on implementing the ISPS Code as the agency has exhibited some level of ignorance in processes and procedures.
Another member of the Forum; Mr. Lucky Aghomi urged his colleagues to do a self appraisal of their facilities before the arrival of the officials of the U. S Coast Guard noting that was the only to stay abreast of security situations.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that about 12 terminals were said to be deficient in the implementation during the last visit of the U. S Coast Guard officials.
Some of the terminals include: ENL Consortium, a general cargo terminal in Apapa port and Tin-Can Island Container Terminal, a container terminal in Tin-Can Island port.
The United States Coast Guard had in its report after last year's visit to Nigeria, condemned Nigeria's preparedness for the implementation of the ISPS Code and noted that there is considerable confusion as to who has the authority to implement the ISPS Code.
It was after the absence of a Designated Authority was brought to the notice of the Nigerian government that NIMASA was appointed to take up the responsibility of Designated Authority. (D\A)
After NIMASA assumed the position of a D\A, it held a stakeholders' meeting. It also appointed some Recongnised Security Organisation (RSO) to assist in ensuring proper implementation.
In the latest report, the Coast Guard noted that NIMASA has not developed any form of expertise to tackle the issue of terrorism in the maritime industry and in senring full compliance to the all-important code
And reacting ti the development also last week, former Sole Administrator of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Akwa Ibom urged NIMASA to continue discussions with the American Coast Guard until Nigeria achieved a satisfactory level of maritime security.
Akinsoji said that, while the discussion continued, NIMASA should fully demonstrate its authority as an agency assigned to handle maritime security.
He advised that NIMASA should treat the ISPS Code issues with seriousness and discuss with the International Port Security Liaison Office Commander, Mr David Gates.
The former Government Inspector of Ships also urged NIMASA to update information about Nigeria to the shipping world and renew such information every five years.
He said that NIMASA should identify the contact persons or authorities concerning the ISPS Code.
“The reform NIMASA needs to embark on should include sponsoring a national law or develop a regulation to capture unlawful acts against maritime navigation.
Discussion about this post