BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG
MARITIME Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, yesterday, threatened to shut down the maritime sector over perceived clandestine moves by some self-seeking Nigerians to influence the passage of “Maritime Security (Establishment)  Bill” 2009, that was unanimously rejected by all stakeholders when a public hearing was held on the Bill in January 2010.

At a briefing, President-General of MWUN, Comrade Anthony Emmanuel Nted, said the authority, functions and financing of the agency was a clear duplication of the existing Maritime Administration Security/Safety Agency, NIMASA, and argued what should be done was the strenghtening of NIMASA.

This came as indication emerged that N10 billion has been set aside for the take off of the yet-to-be approved agency  seen as another conduit pipe to siphon public funds and a body known as the Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and Security, PICOMSS, has been set up for that purpose..

The union called President Jonathan to halt the move in the nation’s interest as members would down tools and shut the entire industry over the obnoxious attempt at foisting another agency on stateholders.

According to Comrade Nted, “in January 2010, there was a swift move by some unscrupulous agents to establish another Maritime Security/Safety Agency through a draft bill captioned: Maritime Security (Establishment) Bill” 2009.

This draft bill was presented to the National Assembly and a Public Hearing was held on same on 13th January 2010. However, Stakeholders were unanimous in rejecting this bill on the ground that the authority, functions and financing of the proposed agency is a clear duplication of an existing Federal Government Agency i.e. Nigeria Maritime Administration Security/Safety Agency, NIMASA”.

We are alarmed that inspite of the total rejection of this obnoxious bill by the Stakeholders, another move is being made by these unpatriotic elements to actualize their dream of a parallel Maritime  Security/Safety Agency.  We wonder what the objectives of the promoters of this obnoxious bill are.

Would it be to unbundle NIMASA? If the answer to this question is in the affirmative, we say it is not necessary in that the NIMASA Act of 2007 has neither been repealed nor amended.  However, if the answer to this question is in the negative, we advice  that the exercise be dropped forthwith on the ground that NIMASA,  stnce its inception, has been able to restore sanity in the Maritime Sector in conjunction with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and  therefore deserved to be encouraged.”

“Considering the importance of Marine Security in Internatf)(nal Trade, we strongly advise that rather than engage in duplication of government agencies as portended by the draft bill, the present Section/Department of NIMASA engaged in the Security/Safety Services be strengthened and professionalized through appropriate manning for greater efficiency and performance.

Fortunately, the Nigerian Armed Forces are organized along the key modes of transportation in Nigeria in such a professional way that the Nigerian Air Force solely man the Nigerian Air Space, the Nigerian Army mans the Nigerian land territory whilst the Nigerian Navy actively keep surveillance on our territorial waters. It is note worthy that NIMASA has been effectively collaborating with the Nigerian Navy and the Marine Police in this regard.

We recommend that NIMASA be strengthened to carry on its statutory function unhindered. A situation in which another body known as the Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and Security (PICOMSS) is now desperately attempting to foist this hitherto rejected agency on Nigeria at the expense of the tax payers is fraudulent and unacceptable.

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria therefore calls on the  Presidency to stop the move in our National Interest as our members obnoxious move not being stopped.