Wreck Removal: Stakeholders Fault NIMASA’s Elaborate Ceremony

Harboursandport.com: Lagos - The recent ceremony preceding wreck removal of the nation’s waterways by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA has only confirmed reports by the international shipping about the dangers of the country’s waters.

In a discussion on Harboursandport, an online platform on the activities preceding the kick-off of wreck removal by NIMASA, the stakeholders noted that it should be a routine activity that should be performed by the nation’s flag administration.

A lawyer and maritime stakeholder, Ahmed Wanka said the function of wreck removal should be a statutory responsibility in the establishing Act. Wanka said that the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is taking note, knowing that the nation is seeking the Council seat of the global maritime body.

According to him, “This is a function that should be performed routinely and without any news.

“It is a statutory responsibility enshrined in the Merchant Shipping Act. For a country aspiring for a Council seat in the IMO, is it not funny that wreck removal has become an advertised event?

“NPA has been removing critical wrecks in the Channel until 2007 when the MSA designates NIMASA as Receiver of Wrecks. I have never heard any noise.

“Are we a serious people?” he queried.

Similarly, a former Director of NIMASA, Captain Enisuon Warredi in his contribution said, “In my humble opinion, as a statutory responsibility, we should be doing it as stated in the Merchant Shipping Act.

“A celebration could send a wrong signal to the international shipping community that we abrogated our responsibility all this while, thereby putting shipping within the region in danger!

“Removal of wrecks is paramount when it comes to Maritime Safety. A lot of Ship Captains have written to their flag states that our waters are dangerous. “Those flag states have in turn submitted these reports to the IMO. An inaugural celebration will underscore these unhealthy reports.

Also in his contribution, former National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Eugene Nweke, said the commissioning may just be a means of showing that the minister is working hard.

In his words, “A Minister must be seen as working hard, If not for anything to fulfill all righteousness. After all, an official internal memos and files movement was observed before now,” he concluded.