FG in ‘Rat-Race’ to Beat Obama’s Ultimatum on ISPS

Federal government has intensified action to overcome the security huddles of the US Government, especially the US demand that government beef up security in the Nigerian ports, or have ships coming out of the country’s ports barred from entering the American ports.

Specifically, US Government stressed the need for Nigeria to adopt and adhere strictly to the International Ships and Ports-Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

The code is an enhanced security level which the United Nations, and its specialized organ, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) prescribed, after the September 11 frightening attacks on the US twin towers.

Maritime industry operators opined that Obama administration took the tough decision having witnessed the soaring influence of the dreaded Boko Haram group in Nigeria, Government’s seeming determination to treat their chaos with the kid’s glove; and a perceived unwillingness on the part of the Nigerian government to accept international support to nip the crisis in the bud.

According to MaritimeFirst Newspaper, the operators also posited that US government might have been proactively reacting, based on intelligence, motivating the recent placement of million dollar-bounty of the heads of Boko Haram leaders; as well as the notion that the group, may use the occasion of the coming September 11 anniversary, to export further violent attacks against the US, using ships emanating from care-free ports.

Assuring the industry stakeholders in a swift reaction, the Government, through Leke Oyewole, senior special assistant to the President on maritime matters, said that Government was leaving no stones un-turned, to ensure that the country beats the ultimatum from the US authorities.

Speaking on the theme: ‘Reviving ISPS Code Implementation in Nigeria’, Oyewole also told his audience that the mandate to implement ISPS Code has now been designated on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) after the Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and Security (PICOMSS) was dissolved by Federal Government few months’ backs.

“This is an important mission that must be accomplished, because if we fail to comply, US will ban ships that visit Nigerian ports from calling their ports. This will lead to a situation where, few ships will be calling Nigerian ports, and as a result, leads to high cost of freight”, Oyewole said

He stressed that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) had also been mandated, to fully automate port access control, so as to reduce the human interface in the port, which will in turn reduce corruption in the port.

He maintained that NIMASA would soon commence the installation of black flags on Nigerian ports that were deemed not to be ISPS Code compliant for not meeting the international security standard; even as the agency, would also install Nigerian flags and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) flags in ports that are ISPS Code compliant., stressing that Nigeria now has 45 days to the termination of the 90 days ultimatum given to the Nigerian government to boost security at her maritime domain, by the United Nations Coast Guard,

In his response, Patrick Akpobolokemi, NIMASA’s director-general, said that the agency would vigorously pursue ISPS Code implementation by raising the security standards of all port facilities in Nigeria, as well as on ships that bears Nigerian flags.

“The gains of a nationwide compliance with the ISPS Code are immense and serve as an anaesthetic for the short-term discomfort that our implementation agenda might cause in the interim. But the risk of non-compliance with ISPS Code is frightening given the threats our nation faces from the growing menace of global terrorism and other maritime crime”, the NIMASA boss added,

He assured that his management would work with the relevant stakeholders, including the NPA, NNPC and the Nigerian Navy to ensure that Nigerian waterways and port facilities are made safer for shipping business to thrive.

The US Coast Guard, through its embassy in Nigeria read the riot act to Nigeria, giving it a 90-day ultimatum to adhere to the letters of the ISPS Code or face sanction.

It would be recalled that the U.S embassy received an audit report from the officials of the United States Coast Guards who were in Nigeria about a month ago, to inspect security of the Nigerian ports.

Based on their findings, the embassy conveyed a diplomatic note to the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Nigeria, which was forwarded to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and other relevant agencies.