By Godfrey Bivbere

Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, has expressed his frustration for the inability of the agency to convict suspects apprehended for their involvement in oil theft and piracy along the nation’s waterways.

Akpobolokemi who stated this in Lagos when top management of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) led by its Commandant General, Ade Abolorin, paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Lagos, said so far all those caught by the agency and handed over to other security agencies have not been convicted.

He explained that people caught with guns and other items used in various crimes by the agency were handed over to other security operatives for persecution but were either set free for lack of evidence or for compromise.

The NIMASA boss pointed out that some of these people later turn around to sue the agency for breached of fundamental human rights. He said sometimes it seem like looking the other way is better but assured that he will continue the fight.

The painful thing, he continued, is that NIMASA does not have the power of persecution and therefore had to rely on other security agencies with such powers to persecute their suspects.

As a result, he stated that the agency’s management had to write a letter to the leadership of NSCDC for collaboration knowing that the Civil Defence Corp knowing that it has the power of persecution.

He noted that though it is not their direct responsibility to fight against oil theft, he decided to do so because such activity if non-checked will deprive NIMASA of its three percent revenue entitlement from all cargoes coming in and going out of the country.

Commandant General of NSCDC, Ade Abolorin, assured the NIMASA boss that they will work closely together for the benefit of the nation’s economy. Abolorin noted that both bodies are working to achieve the same goal.

He pointed out that the problem of oil theft on the nation’s economy is huge and that it is not only being carried out on the high sae but also along the small rivers across the nation. He sited as example the case of vandalisation at Arepo, Ikorodu and others, stressing the need for effective policing of the nation to curb these incidents.