By Godwin Oritse
THE immediate past rector of the Regional Maritime University (RMU) in Accra Ghana Captain Aaron Turkson has said that the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) is not the solution to maritime security in Africa particularly the sub-region.

Speaking at a two day workshop on maritime security, Captain Turkson stated that before the ISPS code was introduced, the shipping industry in West Africa has had maritime security challenges.

He noted that ISPS is good adding that it will address all the maritime security problem in Africa and other parts of the world.

He explained that ISPS is made to protect some interest against the terrorist movement, noting that when the core needs of the people of the shipping host communities are met the issue of maritime security challenges will be reduced.

Turkson paper which was titled “Strategies for ensuring maritime security in the host communities” stated that the issue of maritime security is associated with political and social conflicts.

He noted that the shipping, oil and gas industries have expanded with out carrying the host communities along.

The former Black Star line and Nigerian National Shipping Line sailor said that the neglect has resulted in the insecurity being experienced in the Sub-Region particularly in Nigeria’s Niger-Delta area.

“You have a huge human capacity, a hugh maritime, oil and gas industry a huge coastline but only one maritime training institution and this is grossly inadequate as the training of these militants could be gainfully employed” He added.

He was of the opinion that something is structurally wrong in the economic planning system of the Nigerian government.

Captain Turkson disclosed that Nigeria currently records the second largest tonnage in the world noting that there is no way Nigeria and Nigerians should not benefit from this development.

He stated that negotiation and socio- economic solutions are the best ways to resolve the issue of maritime security challenges in Nigeria.

He further disclosed the Africa supply only five per cent of the world’s maritime labour force and Nigeria in this case is about the least supplier of labour in this regard.

He stated that the fastest way to get these militants gainfully employed is by pushing them to the International Maritime Labour market and getting all the necessary International Maritime Organisation (IMO) certifications.

Also speaking at the workshop, Deputy Director at the Naval Headquarters Captain Adesoji Babalola suggested that the Nigerian National Shipping Line should be re -established to absorb these trained militants.

The workshop with theme ‘The ISPS Code and the challenges of Maritime Security in Africa’ was organised by Elyon Churchills Nigeria and attended by the members of the Port Facility Security Officers Forum.