NIMASA’s Patrol Boats Abandoned On Lagos Waters

About eight months after being commissioned by Minister of Transport Senator Idris Umar to police the nation's waters, there are indications that the three vessels provided by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in conjunction with Global West Vessels Specialist (GWVS) Limited have been abandoned in Lagos.

Investigations carried out by Shipping Position Daily revealed that the patrol boats may have been idling away at the Kirikiri waters, directly opposite Obatoil and Gas tank farm in Lagos for months.

Sources disclosed that the patrol boats were supposed to police the eastern flank of the nation's maritime domain, but they have been in the Lagos idling away.

One of the sources; a personnel of one of the tank farms disclosed to our correspondent that the crafts, after being commissioned in October 2013 in Lagos, later sailed back to Kirikiri, after which they have not made any significant voyage.

He stated that, although, the three medium size crafts were supposedly to cover the Escravos, Port Harcourt and Forcados axis to protect and secure the waters from pirate and sea robbery attacks, they are seen more on anchors at the Kirikiri jetty.

One of the sources vowed that the three boats have been at the Kirikiri jetty for about five months.

The apex maritime regulatory agency had in October 2013 commissioned three patrol vessels, which it christened: NIMASA Amaseikumor, NIMASA Oglakirigha, and NIMASA Oweikenighan, bringing to 11, the number of vessels acquired through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement of the agency for the purpose of combating piracy and sea robbery on the nation's waters.

But when our correspondent visited the jetty where the boats are anchored at about 6.15pm yesterday again, one more boat was seen, bringing the total to four.

However, when contacted yesterday by our correspondent, the Deputy Director, Public Relations of NIMASA; Mr Osamgbi Isiche explained that the boats were not abandoned.

He faulted the claims that the boats were always at berth. According to him, the boats are always on patrol at night.

“Sea robbery and piracy are not common in the day, they are rampant at night, he explained, justifying why the boats are seen idling away and perceived to be abandoned.