Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi

Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed the hope that its decision to remove wrecks on the nation’s water channels would open up the maritime sector for the much needed inflow of private sector investments

Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, who spoke at the official flag-off of the wreck removal exercise Friday, assured that the elimination of wrecks and derelicts on the country’s water channels would aid navigation thereby attract investments to the sector. He commended the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, the lead agency for the exercise for his initiative.

He said: said: “This creative venture of clearing our waters of wrecks and derelicts, apart from guaranteeing safety of navigation, would open up the prospects of many new investments in the maritime sector.

“This would also tremendously help the Federal Government’s economic diversification drive and enhance Nigeria’s standing within the global maritime community.”

The Minister assured that the autonomous status of the agencies under the Federal Ministry of Transport is non-negotiable, stating that all the heads of the agencies are appointed on the basis of competence and expertise. He said he would always support imaginative ideas from the various CEOs.

According to him, it was the NIMASA DG’s idea that the wrecks should be removed from the country’s water channels.

While speaking at the occasion, the NIMASA DG said the successful removal of the wrecks and derelicts would restore confidence in Nigerian waters, and eliminate obstacles to smooth, safe, and profitable navigation. He thanked the Minister for pushing the wreck removal idea through the Federal Executive Council FEC.

Jamoh said the commencement of the wreck removal exercise was another milestone in the incremental achievement of the Triple S strategy of the current management of NIMASA, anchored on Maritime Safety, Maritime Security, and Shipping Development.

“These wrecks inhibit the operation of shipping companies, which constantly strive to increase efficiency in order to remain in business. As a result, most of the shipping companies usually avoid operating or investing in areas where navigational hazards are identified due to high insurance premium charges”, the DG said

He argued that with the elimination or reduction of the costs associated with insurance, survey and charting of wrecks, the cost of shipping would drop, to the benefit of mariners and other stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry, adding that the exercise comes with several other benefits.

He said, “It is pertinent to state that the benefits that would be derived upon completion of the exercise extend to other areas of maritime core functions, such as search and rescue services, Cabotage monitoring, as well as prevention and mitigation of marine pollution.”

NIMASA is charged with the responsibility of ensuring safety and security at sea as well as regulating the maritime industry in line with international laws and conventions, principally, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea SOLAS Convention of the International Maritime Organisation IMO.

“In line with this mandate and in recognition of the importance of safety of navigation in maritime administration, the agency has established the need for removal of critical wrecks along the Badagry Creek,” the DG also said.

 The NIMASA-boss had disclosed during a ministerial Retreat organised by the Federal Ministry of Transport in August that arrangements had been concluded for the recycling of wrecks and derelicts that would be recovered during the wreck removal exercise.

He said this would be done in partnership with the Bayelsa State Government and the Nigerian Railway Corporation NRC, which already has a Foundry in Lagos for wrecks recycling, with the ultimate aim of creating wealth from waste while providing jobs for Nigerians.

The first phase of the wreck removal exercise took place along the Badagry Creek.

Among those in attendance were Acting Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, Mohammed Bello Koko; Managing Director of Ragi Industries Limited, Nasir Raji; President, Ship Owners Association of Nigeria SOAN, Dr. MkGeorge Onyung. Others were Executive Director, Finance and Administration, NIMASA, Hon. Chudi Offodile; Executive Director, Operations, Mr. Shehu Ahmed; and Executibe Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Victor Ochei.