Amaechi Sets Up Guidelines Committee to Disburse N72b Vessel Financing Fund

… ‘Only Contributing Shipowners Eligible’

Ahead of a planned commencement of the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), the Federal Government has set up a committee to develop guidelines for the distribution of the fund. Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, established the committee at a meeting on Thursday in Lagos with maritime stakeholders. He said the panel, selected from among shipowners, would review existing guidelines and come up with a workable document.

L-R: Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, President, WIMAFRICA, Mrs. Jean Anichere and Director-General, NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, at the maritime stakeholders meeting on the guidelines for disbursement CVFF in Lagos on Thursday, January 23, 2020.

That was as the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, who was chosen as Chairman of the committee, said only shipowners, who are contributors to the fund, would be qualified to access the facility.

Amaechi stated, “We have looked at the old guidelines and we have seen that it will not be favourable to every party involved. Our commitment towards ensuring the disbursement of the CVFF remains unwavering, hence, the reason we are setting up this committee to look at the guidelines and come up with a workable one that will suit all parties involved.”

The Minister said part of the economic benefits of the disbursement of the fund would be creation of employment for Nigerians and enhancement of indigenous capacity in the maritime industry, which will help grow the Nigerian economy.

In his address at the forum, Dakuku disclosed that the CVFF had grown to $200 million (about N72 billion). He said only contributors to the fund will be eligible to access it.

Dakuku reiterated that the fund was meant to promote indigenous capacity in the shipping sector by assisting Nigerians in the procurement of maritime assets in line with the Cabotage Act, which seeks to encourage indigenous participation in the maritime industry.

He also disclosed that in addition to talks with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on how to make funds available to operators in the maritime industry, the Agency was working with the supervising Ministry to ensure that the CVFF was disbursed to qualified applicants using a single digit interest rate.

The Director-General said, “On our part as an Agency, our utmost goal is to grow the maritime sector and encourage more indigenous participation. We are working with the Ministry of Transportation and also discussing with the Central Bank of Nigeria, to see the possibility of granting loans to qualified operators at single digit interest rate, as this will give room for greater participation and also open up vistas of opportunities for massive job and wealth creation in the sector.”

He said NIMASA was working with stakeholders to ensure that the Cabotage Act was fully actualised through a Five-Year Cabotage waiver cessation plan set for implementation from next year.  

Members of the CVFF committee, besides Dakuku, are Chairman, of Nigerian Ship Owners Forum, Mrs. Margaret Orakwusi; Vice Chairman, C&I Leasing, Emeka Ndu; Managing Director, Starz Marine, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun; and President, Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), Aminu Umar, among others.

The CVFF is meant to help Nigerians buy ships and other assets to grow their capacity, support economic growth, and compete favourably on the international scene.

FG MOVES TO ENFORCE ANTI-PIRACY LAW

·        Stiff Penalty Awaits Offenders       

The Federal Government has embarked on measures to ensure a smooth enforcement of the newly enacted anti piracy law as part of efforts to stem criminality on Nigerian waters. 

L-R: Director General, Nigeria Institute of Advance studies, Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan; DG, NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside; Representative of the Chief Naval Staff, Real Admiral Murtala Mormoni Bashir; Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Mr Gambo Ahmed and Executive Director, Finance and Administration, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh during the Opening Ceremony of the 9th Strategic Admiralty Law Seminar for Judges by NIMASA held in Lagos, February 19, 2020

This was revealed in Lagos at the annual Strategic Admiralty Law Seminar for Judges put together by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). The theme of the conference was, “Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, 2019: Key to Accelerating and Achieving Safe and Secure Shipping in Nigeria.” it was meant to sensitise judicial sector actors on the import of the antipiracy law.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Directors-General of NIMASA and NIALS, Dr. Dakuku Peterside and Professor Mohammed Tawfiq Ladan, respectively, emphasised the need for unencumbered implementation of the law. They called for cooperation among the enforcement agencies, stressing that stringent penalties await maritime criminals in the country.

Dakuku noted that there was now a robust framework for the criminalisation and punishment of piracy and other maritime crimes in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea. He said the seminar afforded the Judiciary and the Agency a unique opportunity to dialogue on issues of mutual importance, particularly, the sensitisation of judges on contemporary maritime law issues both within and outside the Nigerian jurisdiction. 

The seminar was previously meant for Judges of the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal, and High Courts of the littoral states. But this year, the scope of participation was further enlarged to include law enforcement agencies.

Dakuku stated, “With the world's waters accounting for over 80 per cent of transportation requirements in the global trading supply chain network across established international routes and trade lanes, the threats of piracy, armed robbery at sea and other maritime crimes have been an issue of global concern.

“The Gulf of Guinea, sadly, had been at the epicentre of maritime security discussions globally, given the incidents recorded in the region. The challenge of maritime insecurity in the region had been further compounded by a deficit of legislation to address the challenge.” He said the SPOMO Act had addressed that challenge.

The Director-General said the theme of the seminar was carefully selected to facilitate an understanding of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act and the collaborative mechanisms between the Judiciary and enforcement agencies in the implementation of the Act.

“At the end, it is expected that there would be enhanced knowledge of participants in areas of the core mandate of NIMASA, heightened awareness on the provisions of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act and its enforceability, assessment of the standard operating procedures in tackling maritime crimes and the gaps and options for improvement and reform,” he stated.

On his part, the Director-General of NIALS, Ladan, said with the Nigerian economy generating more than 70 per cent of seaborne trade in West Africa, the country and region will prosper if the seas were safe for investment and commerce.

According to Ladan, “Through this strategic maritime law seminar, we wish to enhance the capacity of, and remind our, Justice sector actors that we will all prosper when the seas around us are safe, secure and free for all to use and exploit natural resources, promote trade and investment, tourism, marine science and technology, maritime transport, infrastructure development, and fisheries.”

He said, “Through this seminar we hope to build greater understanding of the common challenges of maritime safety and security and how the SPOMO Act 2019 seeks to promote synergy among justice sector actors (judges, prosecutors, anti-corruption agencies, security and law enforcement agencies) to effectively respond to the multiple challenges earlier highlighted.”

President Muhammadu Buhari had signed the SPOMO Act into law on June 24, 2019. The law aims to tackle the menace of piracy and armed robbery on the country’s waters and exclusive economic zone with a strong and specific legal instrument that prescribes punishment for offenders and deters criminal elements. It is the first standalone antipiracy law in the Gulf of Guinea region.

The Act prescribes jail terms of between 15 years and life, and fines from N50 million to N500 million for individuals and corporate organisations convicted for maritime offences.

NIMASA Investigates Cause of Dead Fish along Niger Delta Coastline

NIMASA Investigates Cause of Dead Fish along Niger Delta Coastline

·        Cautions Public

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has commenced a scientific inquiry to identify the cause of the recent shoals of dead fish washed ashore along the Niger Delta coastline states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers, and other places within the region. The Agency also put up a warning to the general public, especially the fisherfolk in the affected areas, about the dangers of consuming or selling the dead fish to unsuspecting members of the public.

DG. NIMASA

Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said, “We are working with relevant scientific experts to isolate the cause of the abnormal issue of dead fish along the Niger Delta coastline. We want to identify the cause and establish what can be done to alleviate the adverse effect of this occurrence on the people and the marine environment in the affected areas.

“While we are working to decipher and mitigate this strange incident, we appeal to locals in the affected communities and those who trade in aquatic animals to avoid consumption and sale of the dead fish, as such acts may carry criminal liabilities, especially with regard to deliberate sale of the dead fish to the public.”

Jamoh said the tripodal investigation would involve an examination of the dead fish as well as water and sediment analyses.

NIMASA has the mandate to regulate and protect the country’s marine environment as provided for in the Merchant Shipping Act 2007 and in compliance with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 1973/78), and other relevant instruments aimed at protecting the maritime domain. 

COVID-19: NIMASA EXTENDS CERTIFICATE VALIDITY FOR SEAFARERS

COVID-19: NIMASA EXTENDS CERTIFICATE VALIDITY FOR SEAFARERS

…Move Geared Towards Keeping Them In Job - Jamoh

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has extended the validity of Statutory and Trading certificates for all Nigerian Registered vessels. These include Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) certificates for seafarers issued by the Agency.

DG. NIMASA

The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, who made this known at the Agency’s head office in Lagos, said NIMASA remained committed to implementing its mandates during the COVID-19 crisis. Jamoh said it was necessary to ensure uninterrupted shipping, despite the pandemic, stressing that shipping is one of the major ways of moving medical aid across the globe.

“Our determination to ensure that shipping continues during this trying time remains unwavering and this is why we have continued to come up with measures to keep the global shipping chain moving in line with the recommendations of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO),” Jamoh stated.

He said the Agency was aware of the difficulties seafarers would be facing and the need to keep them in job even beyond the pandemic, saying this has necessitated the Agency’s publication of a notice to extend their certificates and other statutory certificates that would ensure uninterrupted shipping.

According to Jamoh, “One of our major priorities is to keep our seafarers in job while not jeopardising their safety in terms of contracting the deadly virus. We have, therefore, come up with a notice that would extend the validity of their certificates, for those of them that might be expiring soon. We have also issued guidelines that would regulate crew change during this pandemic.”

Expatiating on the notice issued by the Agency, Jamoh disclosed that following IMO’s recent guidelines on the certification of seafarers and fishing vessel personnel, the Agency had extended the validity of relevant certificates, including STCW; Mandatory and Safety certificates;   and Certificates of medical fitness. Others are the Statutory and Trading Certificates related to SOLAS ’74 as amended, MARPOL 73/78 as amended, Certificates of Ship Registry, National requirements for Power Driven Small Crafts (PDSC), and MLC, 2006, as amended.

He said the extension will apply to all Nigerian flagged vessels and seafarers sailing on-board Nigerian flagged vessels, as well as seafarers with Nigerian Certificate of Competency who are sailing on foreign flagships.

Jamoh said the extensions would enable Owners and Masters of Ships to permit personnel to continue performing duties in the view of the COVID-I9 pandemic and the nation-wide lockdown in Nigeria.

The NIMASA DG charged Owners and Masters  to report any deficiency that may affect the approved capacity and performance standards of all Fire Fighting Appliances (FFA), Life Saving Appliances (LSA) on-board vessels.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, shipping has been the focus of attention in major maritime nations and NIMASA has continuously issued guidelines aimed at preventing adverse effects on the Nigerian shipping industry.

COVID-19: FG Needs Cooperation from All Sectors

COVID-19: FG Needs Cooperation from All Sectors, Says SGF ·
 A NIMASA volunteers Personnel, Logistics to Aid Fight Against Pandemic ·

 We’re Deploying Existing Capacities for Nigeria’s Good – Jamoh

Coordinator, Abuja Zonal Office, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Zailani Musa Attah, who represented the NIMASA DG, Dr. Bashir Jamoh; Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sir Olusegun Adekunle Esq; and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who is also Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha, during the presentation and donation of medical facilities and equipment to the taskforce by NIMASA in Abuja recently as part of the Agency’s support for the fight against the coronavirus pandemic

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha, has said the Federal Government requires the cooperation of all and sundry, corporate bodies and individuals, in the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that is ravaging the world.

Mustapha stated this in Abuja while receiving on behalf of the Federal Government volunteer personnel, ambulance, buses, and some medical equipment, including ventilators donated by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

He described the fight against COVID-19 as a collective responsibility. The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said the Agency was deploying its existing facilities, such as fast intervention vessels, ambulances, and buses, among others, to support the efforts by the Federal and State Governments to solve a national medical emergency that required all hands on deck. The materials donated included ventilators, oxygen concentrators, personal protective equipment, rapid test kits, and hand sanitisers, as well as a cash donation of N30 million. Commending NIMASA for the gesture,

Mustapha advised other organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the Agency and support the efforts to curb the spread of the pandemic, so that Nigerians could live their normal lives again. The SGF stated, “I wish to restate that this is a war on Nigeria and the Federal Government, in conjunction with other stakeholders, will continue to do all it takes to win this war as we are more prepared than ever before to ensure we protect the lives of our citizens. “Let me encourage Nigerians to endure this lockdown order as it is not intended to trample on their fundamental human rights, rather it is to assist Government trace infected persons and curb the spread. In no distant time, we will all go back to our normal lives.” Speaking at the presentation of the materials, Jamoh praised the Federal Government’s proactive steps to contain the pandemic. He declared that COVID-19 was a challenge Nigeria must overcome, saying he is satisfied to see that the Agency’s existing facilities are coming in handy in the attempt to contain the outbreak.

The Director-General, who was represented by Coordinator, Abuja Zonal Office of the Agency, Mr. Zailani Musa Attah, stated, “We at NIMASA have decided to deploy our extant capacities and facilities in the fight against this pandemic. We did not invest new funds in purchasing these ambulances and buses. We simply deployed them to fight this common enemy. COVID-19 is a common enemy and all hands must be on deck to win the war against it at this critical time in the country’s history.

 “We have had to readjust our priorities to contribute our quota to the urgent need to get Nigeria out of this national emergency.” Jamoh added, “I wish to commend the efforts of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and your dexterity in ensuring Nigeria is totally free from this virus. As a responsible Agency, we will continue to support government’s efforts across the board and I am confident that collectively, we will win this fight with the help of the Almighty.” NIMASA extended its humanitarian gesture to Anambra State, where it equally donated medical materials for use in the efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and treat those already infected. Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, who received the materials on behalf of the state government, commended the Management of NIMASA and pledged that the materials will be well utilised.

Among the materials donated were ventilators, oxygen concentrators, and hand sanitisers. NIMASA had recently made similar donations to the Lagos State government at the flag-off of the anti-COVID-19 campaign, which the Agency plans to take to the six geopolitical zones of the country. It also pledged that there were handy volunteers from the Agency and experts ready to work with the government.

COVID-19: NIMASA PRESENTS VENTILATORS, RESPONSE VESSELS, AMBULANCE TO LAGOS STATE

COVID-19: NIMASA PRESENTS VENTILATORS, RESPONSE VESSELS, AMBULANCE TO LAGOS STATE

…As Jamoh Charges Media on Awareness

L-R: Executive Director, Operations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Ahmed Shehu, Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh and Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Hon. Victor Ochei during the presentation of some medical equipment and items to the Lagos State Government to assist in the fight against COVID 19.

The Director General, of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Bashir Jamoh has presented a number of medical equipment and items including ventilators, Ambulance, buses and response vessels to Lagos state Government towards the fight against the spread of COVID 19.

While presenting the items to the Governor of Lagos, Dr. Jamoh stated that the Agency felt it necessary to make the donations to Lagos as the state remains the epicentre for the virus in Nigeria. He commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for being proactive in his response to the pandemic.

“I want to commend Mr. Governor, for his exemplary leadership in the management of this pandemic, we as a regulatory Agency felt it was necessary to support the state as responsible tenants of Lagos and we hope this would go a long way in our collective effort in fighting COVID-19”

Dr. Jamoh also disclosed that along with the items the Agency is also assisting the Lagos state Government with a sum of 20 million naira, adding that the donations from the Agency are not limited to Lagos alone as all geopolitical zones would benefit from the Agency’s humanitarian gesture.

“Our donations are not limited to Lagos alone, this is just the flag-off, we will also make donations to other states affected and as well ensure that all geopolitical zones of the country benefit; this we will continue to do as we fight against this deadly scourge”, he said.

Commenting on the vessels that were made available to the state, the NIMASA DG stated that it would assist Lagos in responding to incidents in the coastal states for anchorage evacuation if need be, and that the crew on board are volunteer staff from the Agency who have been trained on manning the Fast Intervention Vessels.

Dr. Jamoh also appreciated the Federal Government for its timely response to the pandemic stating that the Government has created roles for the necessary agencies to fight the scourge. He particularly commended the efforts of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in responding to infected persons as he also appealed to the media to play their roles in sensitizing the public stressing that everyone has a role to play in the fight against the pandemic.

Receiving the items on behalf of Lagos State, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Rabiu Olowo said the State government was overwhelmed by the goodwill and support from NIMASA.

“This is most welcomed and on behalf of the governor and the good people of Lagos State, I say thank you. As you are all aware Lagos State is the epic center of this pandemic in Nigeria. Everyone is fighting this pandemic across the globe.”

“We have seen the response of the State to this and the true leadership of Mr. Governor to fighting this. This donation will go a long way in supporting and complementing the state effort towards fighting this Pandemic,” he said.

Items handed over to Lagos state Government included Ventilators, Ambulance, Fast Intervention Vessels,  Buses, oxygen concentrators, personal protective equipment, hand sanitizers.

NIMASA also pledged that there were handy volunteers from the Agency and experts ready to work with the government in the use of fire engines for fumigation purposes.

MARINE POLLUTION: THE PROMBLEMATIC OF MICROPLASTIC.

MARINE POLLUTION: THE PROMBLEMATIC OF MICROPLASTIC.

Today we use plastics – a material designed to last forever for products designed to last minutes without thinking of its effect in the environment. Microplastics a major threat to the marine environment and there’s great need for the governments with sea border to take a proactive step in curbing the menace. Throughout history of mankind, the mass of water was assumed to have the unlimited power to sink wastes, disperse dilute and redistribute natural and synthetic substances.

However, this is not the case as we have realized that the mass of water has no such capacity.

Literature lets us to know that there’s approximately million tons of litter deposited in oceans and seas. Every year it is estimated that 8 million tons of daily sewages and 5 million tons of solid residues are thrown into the marine environment by boats. This scenario is increasingly worrisome as the world economic foum, a maritime magazine, published in January, 2016 by the new plastics economy that ther will be more plastic than fish by 2050.

These statistics shows that marine litter is a great and crescent environmental threat since it can be found in seas and oceans far away from its source of pollution. This issue has been on the front burner for a long time because in 1972, Carpenter et al, warned about the increase of plastic production which could lead to great, concentration of plastics on the surface of the ocean.  Therefore, there is greater need to deal with this contamination before it is too late, especially in ocean, where they undergo degradation and fragmentation.

What is microplastic? These are debris of plastic which have migrated through the oceans and transformed into small fragments which are known as microplastics. They receiver this designation because of their size usually smaller than 5mm.

The contamination of the marine environments by microplastics has many adverse impacts especially has it affect organisms. The ingestion of microplastics by small organism will come a decreases in food consumption because this can lead to satiation and intestinal blockage leading to death. It is a fact that presence of plastic debris in beach sand slows the heating of sediments. This can adversely impact on organism s depending on temperature to reproduce.

Furthermore, the permeability of sand increase with the presence of microplastics. This can lead to dissication stress which could negatively affect the embryonic development of eggs of several sea lifwe like crustaceans, mollusks, polycheates and fishes.

Permeability increase also leads to a change in trace element found on beach sediments when  flow to the permeability increase it causes traceelements to cycle on the beach sediments. When sands have increased permeability, water is easily flushed through the ocean allowing more oxygen and organic matter to flow to the small intestinal organisms. More oxygen ensures that there’s an increase or abundance of such organisms, which in turn will release a higher amounts of compound from their metabolism in water.

All the efforts put in place by various country’s regulations, the situation continues to worsen. Delays in the application and filment of the already existing regulations or either the lack of supervision or of specific regulation in several parts of the world are contributing for such increasing problems.

China and Indonesia are the top countries in the world with mismanaged plastic waste polluting the oceans. In Indonesia like many other countries of the world several collection of garbage upon beaches is an all too common sight with devastating implication of late; this is becoming a huge issue. Of all the plastic waste from the world, 80% is just from 20 countries with china, Indonesia, India and Philipines are topping the list.

Nigeria and a few countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh and South Africa also contribute but in a considerable manner.

Nigeria is doing its best to combat this menace and the Nigerian maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is doing all it can to take tackle plastic pollutants in our waterways.

Recently, the international maritime Organization (IMO) received warning from international  scientists on the damages of this threat and the impact it has on the future life of marine organisms.

Due to this threat, the IMO has designed a plan, through a committee set aside for the purpose to strengthen existing regulations while introducing supporting measures to calm the menace especially plastic litter generated from ships. This plans which would be completed by 2025, and basically it relate to all ships and fishing vessels.

The implication of this threat of plastics waste to the maritime environment in Nigeria is enormous. Its cost to the economy is much too such beach cleaning, impacts on the fishing industry and tourism loss, not to talk of the threat to the health and productivity of marine ecosystems.

This threat is so alarming that the former director general of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside once said that “the presence of marine litter in our waters is impacting negatively on NIMASA’s strategic objectives, most notably, the drive to make Nigeria a greener and wealthier  and fairer,  safer and stronger and healthier nation”

In the same vein; the managing Director of the Nigeria Port  Authority, (NPA), ms Hadizan Balc Usman said “marine litter  poses navigational hazard to all kind of Vessels  and can result in loss of life”.

Though NIMASA is doing so much in their fight by inaugurating 120 marine litter Marshals to assist the agency rid the nations

Waterway and Oceans of marine litters and micro plastics

While inaugurating these marshal at the Nigeria maritime Resource Development center in Lagos , Dr. Dakuku charge the marshal to work hard and flush out plastic litter from our marine environment  stressing that a lot of activities are dependent on the ocean for survival.

Particular, he noted that “the state of health of the ocean is related to the state of our health and our economy. Therefore, we must stop the indiscriminate dumping of material in our ocean”

The fight against plastic waste on our ocean should not be left to the government alone. All hands must be on deck. More awareness and outreaching activities to the general public are also required to promote new behaviour related with plastic use and disposal.

Other solution must be holistic which will promote reuse and increased recycling and well run urban waste management systems. Also important is for the retail market to reduce plastic bag usage for a more environment friendly packages. 

THE IMPACT OF IMO 2020 ON THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA

THE IMPACT OF IMO 2020 ON THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY

The preservation of the earth should be a collective effort from all and Sundry, after all,’’the Earth is what we all have in common’’, as said by Wendell Berry. Environmental pollution poses a great danger to our atmosphere and there’s great need to checkmate the major sources, especially sulphur dioxide pollutant, which forms the scope of this article.

Sulphur dioxide is of great concern because it has a major presence in the air.  It is invisible and has a nasty, pungent and irritating smell. It easily reacts with other substances to form harmful compounds such as sulpuric acid, sulphurous acid and sulphate particles. Sulphuric acid must be particularly noted here because it is the main compound of acid rain, and acid rain has been known to cause deforestation and other environmental problems.

About 99% of sulphur dioxide emissions are produced by Industrial activities such as the generation of electricity from coal, oil or gas, the burning of fossil fuels, the extraction of metal from ore and from vehicles such as cars, ships or locomotives that burn fuel.

Sulphur dioxide is so toxic that it takes as little as 10 minutes for one to feel its symptoms after breathing it. It is so dangerous that short-term exposure can cause problems to the respiratory system such as breathing difficulties, irritation of the nose and throat, coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. This is even more evident in children and the elderly-whom are more susceptible to develop diseases from this exposure.

Long term exposure to the particles can seriously damage one’s lungs since particulate matter can penetrate deeply into our organisms. Events from sulphur oxides may reduce the visibility in open spaces and can cause haze. The availability of these particles in the atmosphere are a danger that needs to be curtailed by relevant authorities.

The dangers of having sulphur emission in the atmosphere is the major reason the international maritime organization (IMO) ruled that from the 1^st of January, 2020, the marine sector emission in international waters would be slashed-by over 80% by switching to lower sulphur fuels. Currently, the maximum fuel oil sulphur limit is 3.5 weight percent (wt%) and the new limit, which will take effect from January, 2020 is 0.5 wt%. This is generally known as IMO 2020.

This move by the IMO will be the largest reduction in the sulphur content of transportation undertaken at any one time. The reason for this big leap is because the marine sector, which consumes 3.8 million barrels per day of fuel from 2017 statistics, is responsible for half of global fuel oil demand. Therefore, this new regulation, when implemented, will impact negatively to the pricing and availability of compliant fuels.

The impact is beginning to be felt from the second half of 2019 as the refining and shipping sectors adapt. Notably, the growing demand for middle distillates may head to an upward price pressure on fuels such as jet fuels. This in turn could lead to an increase in the cost of air travel.

There are a number of key issues to watch in the regulation. The ability of nationals to monitor adoption and their appetite to enforce this regulation. When this kicks off, the regulation will be enforced by country’s authorities at the seaports  and the imminent challenge of providing the equipment to test the quality of marine fuel and besides, not all countries ratified this IMO regulation into their national regulation.

The impact of this IMO 2020 will also affect the refining sector. From my analysis, the refiners will absorb the displaced high sulphur fuel oil volume as feedstock and will then supply the necessary distillate. Definitely, prices will change rewarding those ship owners that have invested in scrubbers.

The refiners will do better in their financials and some may even see their income double over the period. The refiners that can make use of this legislative change will see their earning skyrocket in 2020.

Nigeria, through its maritime leadership headed by the Former Director General, Peterside Dakuku, who also signed this legislation, has vowed to enforce strict compliance with the IMO regulation.

Speaking after the ratification in a meeting in Dubai, Dakuku said, “The 2020 fuel challenge is general towards energy efficiency, environmental pollution control, and health as well as core regulatory enforcement issues. As a maritime nation, we cannot afford not to comply with the IMO Standard, which also does a lot in mitigating global warming and other related environmental issues.”

Speaking further, the DG said that “massive enlightenment, stakeholders engagement and liaison as well as collaboration with fuel refiners and suppliers is needed”.

All stakeholders in this fight against sulphur emission must know that progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. This calls for conceited efforts from everyone to make our world a better place to live in.

I will conclude with the words of John Paul II, who said concerning our environment that, “the earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for use by future generations.”

COVID 19 – NIMASA, SHIPPERS’ COUNCIL COLLABORATE TO SUSTAIN SHIPPING

·        ”Today’s Pains, Necessary for Tomorrow’s Gains” – Jamoh

·        “We Need to Maintain a Delicate Balance” – Hassan Bello

  

Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Bashir Jamoh has stated that the guidelines for vessels calling at the Nigerian Ports recently issued by the Agency was to ensure shipping activities continue in a way that would not allow the spread of COVID-19.

L-R- Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh and the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers' Council (NSC), Barrister Hassan Bello exchanging pleasantry in a way that conforms with the present situation during a meeting with stakeholders and shipping company at the Head office of NIMASA in Lagos, today, April 2, 2020. 

Dr. Jamoh who stated this when the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barrister Hassan Bello led some stakeholders, including shipping companies to the NIMASA head office, in Lagos, also said that while the Federal Government is concerned about the lives of the citizens in the country, the economy must be sustained, hence the need for collaboration with relevant Agencies, like the Shippers’ Council.  

While also acknowledging the fact that the coronavirus pandemic has slowed down activities in the sector, he appealed for more understanding as the global economy is going through a trying time, of which Nigeria is not exempted.

L-R- Managing Director, Ports & Terminal Multiservices Limited, Ascanio Russo, Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh and the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers' Council (NSC), Barrister Hassan Bello in a photograph during a meeting with stakeholders and shipping company at the Head office of NIMASA in Lagos, today, April 2, 2020. 

“We are in trying times and all hands must be on deck to sustain the Nigerian economy. Let me assure all stakeholders and the shipping community that on our part as a regulatory Agency we will continue to embrace collaboration. This is a phase and it will soon be over, because today’s pains are necessary for tomorrow’s gains”, Jamoh said.

Speaking further on the guidelines, Dr. Jamoh noted that it was issued based on consultations with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and in line with best global practices, adding that the guidelines are still open to review as time goes on, all in the best interest of everybody involved.

“The world was not prepared for the pandemic and that is why we are trying to ease the pressure on our industry, while taking necessary precautions to safeguard lives. We will continue to review these guidelines where necessary to ensure that shipping does not suffer, especially when it comes to movement of medical facilities through the sea”, the DG said.

In the same vein, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barrister Hassan Bello, corroborated the stance of the NIMASA DG and appealed for more cooperation and collaboration from the shipping companies and stakeholders in the sector. He gave the assurance that Federal Government Agencies in the sector will endeavor to work together and synergise to ensure ease of information sharing through a single data window, as it will help the sector to grow.

Accordingly, he stated that “at this period, we must sustain our economy through shipping, though it is a delicate balance, considering the havoc the pandemic has caused the globe that is why we are working hand in hand to ensure ports activities continue, while not being detrimental to human lives”.

Earlier, representatives of some shipping companies, who attended the meeting appealed to the Agency to consider voyages less than 14 days in the marine notice review in order to avoid undue delay and port congestion. They also commended the proactive efforts of the Agency in issuing the notice.

The Managing Director, PIL Shipping, Jack Langrishe, Managing Director, Ports & Terminal Multiservice Limited, Ascanio Russo, General Manager, ARKAS Line, Iain Lindsay, and the Executive Directors of NIMASA were also present at the meeting.