By Olasunkanmi Akoni
Nigeria Port Authority, NPA, in Lagos has commenced immediate removal of various ship wrecks around the creeks of the state, aimed at enhancing growth of shipping operations in the State.

The removal exercise was at the instance of the Federal Government which had given NPA the approval, not only to dredge and maintain the sea ways, but also ensure that it further encourage continuous visitation of more West African Maximum, WAFMAX, vessel categories from the Mearsk Line and the Saf Marine groups.

Also, Lagos Channel Management, LCM, incharge of the exercise has intensified efforts to complete the removal of a critical wreck around the Badagry Creek.

NPA Managing Director, Malam Habib Abdullahi said the removal efforts which is presently at 70 per cent completion, according to informed sources, would enable bigger vessels the opportunity to turn, or reverse and set sail, departing Lagos, after their cargo discharge.

It was further gathered that Jonathan’s administration took the decision so as to deny the neighbouring ports, especially the Port of Cote d’Ivoire, which had surprisingly taken the west coast by a storm, in its forceful approach to emerge as the natural hub for the sub-region.

According to a source, a new set of dangerous wrecks, numbering about 19, including a barge that sank with substantial load of cement bags, were slated for removal.

Their removal, it was gathered is to consolidate the success and gains of the 24 critical wrecks earlier removed.

Speaking on the gains of the on-going wrecks removal, a maritime expert, Mr. Emmanuel Adeagbo, said he was glad on the development, saying, it was a true testimony of government’s genuine commitment to the development of shipping operations in Nigeria.

“This demonstrates the reality of the current government’s true commitment to the development and growth of shipping operations in Nigeria”, he said. He therefore, commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his vision for the maritime sub sector.

According to International Trade Monitor, industry operators believe that if the on-going success was sustained, Nigeria would not only enjoy rising profile from the international community as a serious maritime country, the freight might soon also begin to decrease, with its positive multiplier effects on importer and the final consumers.

LASG on shipwrecks

It will be recalled that Lagos State Government following assessment on the development said it would require about N25 billion to effectively remove over 200 abandoned ship wrecks and abandoned vessels along the state coastline and waterways.

The State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Prince Adesegun Oniru, lamented that wrecked ships, pose serious danger to navigation on the water ways as well as the health of residents because of the toxic nature arising from the decay of the wreckage.

According to him: “There are over 200 shipwrecks and abandoned vessels currently lying on the State’s coastline including lagoons,” adding that the vessels were responsible for some of the environmental issues, especially degradation of the coastlines. “There are also security concerns as these wrecks can serve as hideouts for hoodlums to carry out their nefarious activities.”

The commissioner stressed: “The removals of these shipwrecks and abandoned vessels lying on our coastline and waterways are not a small task and it will cost nothing less than N25 billion to effectively remove the wrecks from the state’s coastline,” adding that it was not the responsibility of the state government to cough out the required amount, that efforts to get the federal government to aid the protection of coastlines had yielded little or no result.

Oniru, however, revealed that government was considering a law aimed at finding and prosecuting owners of abandoned vessels on its coastline.

“Our Ministry is working with the Ministry of Justice to put legislation together. You cannot anchor a vessel out in the Atlantic and whenever there is a strong wind or surge and the anchor snaps and it’s at the mercy of the Atlantic, then they leave it there and disappear, when the legislation is put together, it would be a thing of the past.