shippingposition
  • Home
  • News
  • Editorial
    • Vox Pop
  • Maritime safety
  • Oil and Gas
  • Personality
  • Health
No Result
View All Result
shippingposition

Home » MARITIME DOMAIN SECURITY CONTRACT WAR

MARITIME DOMAIN SECURITY CONTRACT WAR

by Joshua
January 30, 2012
in Uncategorized

•    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.


Related Posts

Despite ₦5.17trn Surplus, Dollar Dominates Nigeria-China Trade As Naira-Yuan Swap Struggles

Despite ₦5.17trn Surplus, Dollar Dominates Nigeria-China Trade As Naira-Yuan Swap Struggles

June 30, 2025
Meningitis: Death Toll In Kebbi Hits 56 – Govt 

Meningitis: Death Toll In Kebbi Hits 56 – Govt 

March 24, 2025
Navy Rescues 8 Police Officers,1 Civilian From Boat Accident In Bayelsa

Navy Rescues 8 Police Officers,1 Civilian From Boat Accident In Bayelsa

January 8, 2025
PHOTO NEWS: SIFAX Thanksgiving and Night of Praise 2.0

PHOTO NEWS: SIFAX Group Thanksgiving and Night of Praise 2.0

December 18, 2024

Discussion about this post

Latest News

Vessels Expected At Lagos Ports As At 9th July, 2025

FG Donates 3,500 Life Jackets to Boost Waterways Safety in Ogun State

July 9, 2025

Dangote Commends NPA-Led OSS Committee, Donates Bus to Support Operations

Customs Intercepts ₦654m Worth of Undeclared Foreign Currency at Kano Airport, Hands Over Suspects to EFCC

Vessels Expected At Lagos Ports As At 9th July, 2025

CRFFN Dismisses Viral Court Judgement Reports, Reaffirms Regulatory Mandate over Freight Forwarders

Lagos Govt. Dismantles Illegal Checkpoints Along Badagry Expressway

Nigeria Customs Sensitises International Airline Operators on Currency Declaration

PHOTO NEWS Collaboration For Trade Facilitation

Vessels Expected At Lagos Ports As At 8th July, 2025

Nigerian Exporters Lament as Road Freight to Ghana via Benin, Togo Costs Over ₦10 Million Per Truck  

NIWA Responds to Lagos State’s Call to Halt Sand-Filling Approvals on Waterways 

Shippers’ Council Recovers Over N5.5 Million in Container Deposit Refunds, Demurrage Disputes in Q1

kindly like our Facebook page

Health

Contraceptive Pills Can’t Cause Cervical Cancer – Expert
Health

Contraceptive Pills Can’t Cause Cervical Cancer – Expert

June 30, 2025

Mrs Roseline Akinlabi, Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health Desk Officer, Osun Primary Healthcare Board, says contraceptive pills cannot cause...

ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

KNOW YOUR BODY PARTS: The Liver

June 16, 2025
ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

June 16, 2025
Why Prostate Disorder Cases Are Increasing Among Nigerian Men – Experts

Why Prostate Disorder Cases Are Increasing Among Nigerian Men – Experts

June 1, 2025
20m Nigerians Live With Mental Health Issues, Says WHO

20m Nigerians Live With Mental Health Issues, Says WHO

June 1, 2025
Health Facts You Didn’t Know

How Your Habit Affects Fertility

May 19, 2025
Fruits For Raining Season

Fruits For Raining Season

May 19, 2025
See Mental Illness Like Other Treatable Diseases – Says Suicide Survivor

Health Facts You Didn’t Know

May 19, 2025
Alligator Pepper: Benefits, FAQ, Side Effects, & Warning

Alligator Pepper: Benefits, FAQ, Side Effects, & Warning

April 28, 2025
Water And Health: The Relationship That Helps Life

Water And Health: The Relationship That Helps Life

April 28, 2025

© 2021 Shippingposition

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Coast To Coast
  • Oil and Gas
  • Maritime Education
  • The Terminals
  • Maritime safety

© 2021 Shippingposition