Any foreign vessel that enters Nigeria illegally will henceforth be impounded and forfeited to the Federal Government. Senior Special Assistant to the President, Mr. Olugbenga Leke Oyewole said in far away Louisana, United States. In an interactive session with officials of the Port of New Orleans, he said it was against the nation’s security for such vessels to berth without necessary legal documentation, noting that such acts are also associated with loss of revenue to the country.
He said that piracy is associated with shippers in collaboration with importers who have the penchant to discharge their cargoes midstream without paying the required fees. Though he acknowledged the insecurity on the Nigeria waters but noted that it was not as much as it is bandied around. Noting that safety of our waters is assured, he stated that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has gone far in strengthening the ISPS security code while ship inspection is currently improved upon.
According to him, the agency is fighting sea robbery more than before while piracy is fought to a standstill. He said tanker vessels contribute to piracy. Oyewole deposed that wrecks in the waterways are constantly removed to make room for smooth maritime vessel movements.
He also assured that the Nigerian Navy has been procuring boats to patrol the waters and improve security on our waterways. According to him, the United States Embassy is also providing some facilities to cover the maritime domain noting that it was expected that any vessel coming into the country is assumed to be fit and cleared with relevany documentation before berthing, adding that such clearance should be done electronically.
With a population of about 167million, he stressed that there are countries around it which means as a hub, it was easier to distribute cargoes to neighboring countries in the sub-region. The Senior Special Assistant stated that the country needs a deep seaport and ship repair yards.
He disclosed that Nigeria exported 300million tons of cargoes recently. Oyewole told his hosts that Nigeria is an investment ground, with the country not having any ship flying its flag, he said that we need investors in this regard while appealing that there are Nigerians who will partner with prospective businessmen in this regard.
