Engr. Matthew Alalade (Former President, Merchant Navy)
Mainly, it is the security on board that should be held responsible. We have what’s called Gangway security. So, you must be very vigilant. Gangway Security should be there to monitor those working on board. When people come onboard, they should know who is who. The port security too should be held responsible, because they are in charge of those who are entering the port and the terminal security gate too. Also, some of these Stowaways go the extra mile by coming through the outside waters or through the propeller too. So, who does that security? It is those who are keeping watch on the water too. So, I will say mainly, it is the port security that should be held responsible. They must be vigilant. Everybody’s hands must be on deck in the port and the terminals. If you suspect that somebody is staying too long or did not come out, they must fish out what is happening.
Captain Tajudeen Alao (National
The berthing of ISPS Code in our Maritime domain has greatly reduced human traffic in and out of port. Beyond, the corridors, of terminal concessionaires, and the Master of ships, the security operatives on our waters have a greater role to play. The ship will screen visitors boarding and search all hidden areas onboard for drugs and Stowaways. The Master will educate the crew on implications of losing their jobs and family. But how do we stop the Mafia , that will put gun on the head of Crew or buy their passage on the sea to place Stowaway onboard or traffic in human being.
Engr. Wale George (Vice President, Nigerian Merchant Navy)
It is the Captain of the ship that is responsible for any deficiency on the vessel. He should be the one responsible to monitor everyone coming to the ship for any activities and going out, he ensures nobody is left behind. The terminal operators also ensure the number of people authorized to come into the vessel through the terminal comes out, while the ship and terminal work together to ensure nobody is left behind.
Captain Thomas Kemewerigha
It is not a serious issue that people should not know what to do and who to hold responsible. It has been on the ITF campaign for years. A stowaway is a stowaway. Who owns the vessel will take responsibility for that. The captain will pick up the stowaway to the nearest port. He has no right to keep the stowaway. The agent will take care of his repatriation. That’s how it goes. It is not an agent’s matter. It doesn’t involve an agent at all. If you catch a stowaway on your ship, you don’t have the right to overboard him. When you get to the nearest port, you report to the authorities. The Nigerian Commission is involved. But the repatriation expenses go to the shipping company.
Barr Chris Ebare (Former Chairman, Institute of Chartered Ship Brokers)
I think the government should not be held responsible, because stowaway has nothing to do with the government. The terminal operator and charterers should be held responsible because they are expected to be observant. If Stowaways find themselves into the ship, then it shows that the charterers and terminal operators are not vigilant enough. What concerns government there? There are several people when you ask them why they are desperate to leave the country, there will give you no cogent reason. Many just want to leave the country due to ignorance.
So, the charterer and the terminal operator should be vigilant. If they are not vigilant and someone smuggles hard drug into the vessel, what do you do? I think the government should be excluded from the blame for Stowaways.
Captain Adetayo Saliu (Chairman, Merchant Navy Shipping Zonal Council)
You cannot hold the ship responsible for stowaways. There are processes from the port, before stowaways will get to the ship. What are the people in charge of those processes doing before they get to the ship? I think they should have a pass and anyone who does not have any business doing the port should be denied entry. You should have so many securities in place. When the stowaways get to the ship, they go and hide because at the time they will climb that ship, everybody on board will be busy doing one work or the other. Where were the stevedores in charge of the gangways when the stowaways entered? So, it is a process. Where the Ship is concerned is when stowaways are discovered, they should get them arrested and put them in a cabin to the next port. Then they can hand them over to the port authority of the next port. So, you can’t really blame the ship. There are processes.
Comrade Ifeanyi Abel Chukwu (Admin/Asst. Secretary, Merchant Navy)
The responsibility for preventing stowaways on board ships out of Nigeria lies with multiple stakeholders. It requires a collaborative, multi-faceted approach that what is required to address the issue of stowaways, sharing responsibilities and implementing effective measures to prevent stowaways. Amongst them are: the Government implementing regulations, penalties, surveillance, and international collaboration. The Terminal Operators should ensure adequate security measures. Shipping Lines should put in place vessel and cargo security. Captains/Masters should ensure that safety and security is ultimate responsibility in vessels they command. Also, other stakeholders which includes agents/Forwarders, Stevedores, Immigration/Border Control should ensure unauthorized persons are not allowed to have access or be onboard sailing vessels.
