STAKEHOLDERS have warned that the recent sinking of NIMASA-Barugu, a gunboat owned under the now-defunct Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency-Global West Vessels Specialist Ltd Public-Private Partnership will constitute more risks on the Lagos waterways for shipping in the country. This is even as NIMASA stated that the vessel sank due to ongoing litigation issues.
Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, a shipping agent, Mark Nwosu wondered what the authorities were looking at before NIMASA-Barugu was allowed to sink in Lagos waters. According to Mr Nwosu, “these things are avoidable and would not happen in saner climes.
“That vessel had been distressed for long. We learnt that the authorities had been notified of the predicament of that gunboat. But nothing was done. All we keep hearing is that the vessel had litigation issues and was under the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“Now the vessel has sunk and there come the worries for ships navigating that area. As a shipping agent, my first worry when a ship sinks is how will other ships navigate that area without running into problems with the wreckage of the already sunk ship?
“Why will the Nigerian government allow NIMASA-Barugu to sink? In that area where NIMASA-Barugu sank, there are two other gunboats with a similar predicament to NIMASA-Barugu. The two other gunboats are just there doing nothing. Are we going to wait for all of them to sink?
“Until NIMASA-Barugu sank, nothing was forthcoming from the authorities. Everybody was just trading blames and the vessel sank one hot afternoon just last weekend. Now, that’s a worry for shipping because that’s another wreck that we will need to contend with while navigating the waters around Kirikiri.
“For the two other gunboats that are also waiting to sink around that area, are the authorities going to watch while they all sink? We need to be up and doing in this country.”
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Responding to the sinking of NIMASA-Barugu, the Assistant Director of Public Relations of NIMASA, Edward Osagie blamed ongoing litigation issues for the unfortunate incident.
NIMASA acting spokesman said, “While this is an unfortunate development, it is important to bring to the attention of all that this vessel under reference here is one of Global West boats that were in service with the Agency years ago.
“This boat has the name NIMASA-Barugu right from the days of the contract. There are also other boats in this contractual category in Warri.
“Collectively, the boats and their management have remained a subject of litigation and under the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for years.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it is on record that NIMASA recently made concerted efforts towards reactivating a few of the serviceable boats in this fleet but was constrained by the legal encumbrances due to the nature of the case in court. As a law-abiding entity, we approached the matter under sound legal advisory.
“Finally, it must be stated that this vessel was not in our jetty and under our management at the time of the incident. The crew onboard does not report to NIMASA but to Global West management, and its owners.
“NIMASA remains committed to her statutory responsibility of administering safety and regulating the industry within the ambit of every lawful framework.”
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