The Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA) has called on the Federal Government to ensure that the country does not rest on its oars in the implementation of the International Ships and Ports Facility Security Code (ISPS) at every time at Nigerian ports.
Publicity Secretary of NISA, Engineer Emmanuel Ilori in a chat with Shipping Position Daily last week said that there is need for the implementing agency in Nigeria; the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA to understand what is required of them and for them to be properly equipped for the job.
The Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA) has called on the Federal Government to ensure that the country does not rest on its oars in the implementation of the International Ships and Ports Facility Security Code (ISPS) at every time at Nigerian ports.
Publicity Secretary of NISA, Engineer Emmanuel Ilori in a chat with Shipping Position Daily last week said that there is need for the implementing agency in Nigeria; the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA to understand what is required of them and for them to be properly equipped for the job.
Eng. Ilori stated that facilities in Nigeria must continue to comply with certain aspects of the ISPS Code, even as he advised that port entrance gates must also come under scrutiny in order to discourage unwanted persons from accessing Nigerian ports.
Speaking he said “there is no reason why the Nigerian Ports Authority cannot ensure the compliance of the ISPS code at the access gate, it is not rocket science”
“Also, don’t forget that this still goes back to manning of NIMASA itself, the technical regulations must be verified and complied with, if NIMASA do not have the capacity to do that, them the government should make sure that those who man NIMASA on the highest level understand international dynamics of these international regulations and compliance”
The ship owner observed that ISPS has been on for so many years but that Nigeria is still talking about challenges of non-compliance, he said that this shows that there is something wrong somewhere.
“We don’t have any option than for us to move forward, don’t forget that the ISPS certificate is something that international vessels must have, for those ships coming into Nigeria, we must continue to make sure that they comply, therefore if NIMASA is not able to implement it better now, then there is a need for us to ensure that they have the capacity, both human and equipment to implement ISPS to the international standard” he said
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