By Godwin Ortse
OFFICIALS of theUnited States Coast guard are currently in Nigeria to  carry out an  assessment of the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security, ISPS Code, an instrument of the International Maritime Organisation, IMO.

Disclosing in Lagos, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman said that the General Manager in charge of security at the authority Col. Jamil Tahir,  was taking the coast guard officials round the port facilities for purpose of accessing the level of

implementation.

Bala also said that the NPA was aware of its obligations and commitments to the convention adding that the authority was working towards meeting its ISPS Code responsibilities.

Confirming the development,  Jamil Tahir (Rtd) told Vanguard that the coast guard officials were on a two day pre-inspection visit ahead of the main inspection in March of next year.

Tahir explained that the visit of the US coast guard officials was sequel to the last visit by officials of the authority and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA to the United States last October.

The former military officer also said that security at the port must be such that it will continue to attract trade adding that any form of insecurity could lead to stoppage of vessel calls by the Americans and its allied.

It will be recalled that the US coast guard about two years gave Nigeria a 90 day ultimatum to fix its its security situations at the ports or face sanctions from the international trading community.

Two years after the United States government gave Nigeria  through the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)  rated Nigeria high on compliance with International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

IMO’s Lead Consultant, Mr Brian Cranmer,  said the efforts of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in ensuring compliance with the Code is quite commendable.

He said his conclusion is based on his evaluation of the programmes the management of the Agency has so far put in place for the implementation of ISPS Code in Nigeria.

Reiterating   the need for a high level of security consciousness at the ports. Cranmer said that the restriction of movement in and out of the ports is a step in the right direction.

“From what I have seen and what I am hearing, NIMASA has a very good programme in place; they are all trying hard, carrying out inspections. I have been with them when they carry out these inspections and they are as good as any other country that is implementing the ISPS Code.