• NASS : We Will Give It Single Window Treatment
• NIMASA Staff Accuse DG; Akpobolokemi
Even as Nigerians are still livid about the possibility of the President’s dream of concessioning the nation’s maritime security under an allegedly questionable circumstance, there are confirmations that concerned groups are up in arms against the executives, even as the move has reportedly caused a further division in the top hierarchy of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Most stakeholders are shocked by moves by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to concession security in the entire Nigerian maritime domain to “Messrs Global West Vessel Specialist Nigeria Limited (GWVSL) with an initial investment in the sum of USD103, 400,000.00 Dollar only, inclusive of all taxes on a contractor financed Supply Operate and Transfer (SOT) Concession for a period of 10 years based on performance”.
Our correspondent confirmed last week that the President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, after successfully forcing the proposal down the throat of members of FEC, proceeded to write to the National Assembly to withdraw an earlier executive Bill for the establishment of the Maritime Security Agency (MASECA); an idea that was first mooted by late President Umar Yar ‘adua.
Our sources at both chambers of the National Assembly confirmed that the lawmakers actually received the memo, but added that the legislature was yet to officially reply.
Some lawmakers who spoke on condition of anonymity expressed shock that the President had gone ahead to even grant ‘anticipatory approval’ for the project as far back as November , 2011, even before presenting it at the FEC meeting.
Our correspondent equally confirmed that the approval was actually conveyed to the contractors via a letter with Reference number PRES/99/MT/61 of November 9, 2011.
The draft agreement between the Federal Government and Messrs Global West Vessel Specialist Nigeria Limited had also been approved by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Andoke before the President took it to FEC.
But some members of the National Assembly acknowledged that, even though the President has the powers to do what he did, if it is in the overall interest of the nation, he can not prove that it is indeed informed by national interests.
One of them who is a member of the Senate committee on marine transport, told our correspondent in Abuja last week that “what is expected of all well-meaning Nigerians is to come together and marshal out the points against this act of festering regional interests to the detriment of our collective national interests, I sincerely and personally believe that the President acted not in national interests and that there is no need to concession Nigerian maritime security to a company whose proprietors do not parade the least nationalistic or altruistic credentials”.
“Even if the company is whatever they claim it is, it portends great security risk for the nation and I want to believe that distinguished Senators will do what is required of them, in the interest of the nation”, he stated.
However, a member of the lower chamber who also pleaded anonymity, because according to him, the House of Representatives has not officially commenced discussions on it, said the act is condemnable, even as he expressed shock that it is already being given ethnic colouration.
I trust that in the usual manner, the House will take a decision, based on national interests, which was what we did during the Single Window contract issue. Believe me; the President didn’t act well at all. If he wants to withdraw the MASECA Bill, he has a right to do that, but it must also be on record that if the National Assembly feels strongly about it, it can resurrect as a private member bill”.
But, the angst at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) was palpable, even though staff discussed the development in low tone last week.
Insider sources in the agency told Shipping Position Daily that the development has further divided the executive management and that majority of the other management cadre now sees the director general, Mr Ziakede Akpobolokemi as stabbing the agency in the back by sacrificing its statutory interests.
“When we were fighting against the establishment of MASECA, we thought we were on the same page, the DG even assured us that he will do everything to ensure that NIMASA is not stripped of its statutory duties, but how does he justify this, that a sitting DG agreed and actually supported the stripping of NIMAS under the guise of concessioning, let me be sincere with you, many staff now feels that their jobs are on the line and they are holding the DG responsible. How can anyone justify the fact that the project was awarded to a firm which has almost 99 percent Niger Delta interests?, he asked.
Shipping Position Daily also confirmed last week that a group of maritime industry stakeholders are already set to meet to raise a platform against the maritime domain concessioning deal.
The arrowhead of the initiative told our correspondent that he has received the consent of some notable industry leaders who have agreed to meet any time from now.
He also urged all stakeholders in the maritime sector to unite and fight it, even as he recalled that it was the same stakeholders who fought against the creation of MASECA when it was obvious that the Presidency was determined to have it.
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