FG Plan Bill to Ban Plastics-NIMASA

R-L: Minister of State for Environment, Barrister Sharon Ikeazor; Chairman, House Committee on Maritime, Safety and Education, Hon. Linda Ikeazor; Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Environment and Habitat, Hon. Johnson Oghuma; Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Sokonte Davies; Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside; at the official launch of the Maritime Action Plan for maritime litter and plastic management held in Lagos

·        To Eliminate Land-based Marine Litter Sources in 5 years

·        As NIMASA Launches Action Plan on Marine Litter, Plastics Management

The National Assembly and the Federal Ministry of Environment are putting the finishing touches to a bill meant to prohibit the production of plastics, which pollute the environment. A member of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Tolulope Odebiyi, disclosed this in Lagos at the launch of the Maritime Action Plan for Marine Litter and Plastics Management in Nigeria. Odebiyi, the drafter of the proposed bill, who represented the chairman of the committee, Senator Danjuma Goje, said the bill would be harmonised with input from the Federal Ministry of Environment to make a holistic law that would impose tough sanctions on the production of organic polymers.

Odebiyi stressed that the National Assembly was solidly behind the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in the presentation and implementation of the action plan, which envisions the elimination of land-based sources of marine litter within five years.

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Environment, Hon Johnson Oghuma, also stressed the lower chamber’s commitment to a cleaner environment. Oghuma said the House was always prepared to assist the executive in the implementation of government policies.

The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, lamented that Nigeria was among the 20 countries generating more than 80 per cent of the land-based plastic wastes that end up in the oceans. Dakuku said the event was organised to raise public awareness about the deleterious effects of marine pollution and chart a national roadmap on solution to the menace.

“I am happy NIMASA has taken the lead in ensuring that our waterways and all our water bodies are clean, safe, and a vital source of economic activity for us in this country,” Odebiyi stated.

He added, “I drafted a bill with regard to plastic pollution and proliferation of plastics in the country. The issue is getting to an alarming state.

“NIMASA has taken the lead. But this is the backend of it. We also have to look at the frontend. We are spending billions of naira tiding up the environment; we also have people making billions of naira contributing to this menace. That is where the bill is aiming. You cannot continue to generate pollution, clog our waterways, cause erosion, flooding and all kinds of things, and some people are making money, knowing fully well that their product is contributing to the pollution.”

The senator also said, “The Senate is very much interested in this issue. We see the environment as a vital economic resource for us in this country. We will be working with NIMASA, Federal Ministry of Environment, and all the other agencies.”

The House Committee on Environment chairman spoke in a similar vein. “We are ready, and by the grace of God, I represent the Speaker in the Committee on Environment. Every legislation on the environment is jealously guarded by the committee. I urge everybody, wherever you are, behave like NIMASA, help us to save our environment,” Oghuma stated.

Dakuku prefaced his welcome address with two grisly true-life stories that underscored the dangers of marine litter and the need for urgent action. He then stated, “We all know that solutions to this global challenge are multiple and require consideration of a systematic approach to the various sources generating the pollution, both land- and sea-based contributors, and a combination of intervention in different sectors and at different levels.”

He said the action plan was aimed at setting a national roadmap for tackling pollutions, especially from shipping related activities; identifying specific actions that need to be taken by different parties to eliminate marine litter and plastics; strengthening stakeholder collaborations in tackling marine litter and plastics pollution; and establishing a template for monitoring progress in the fight against marine litter and plastics pollution.

Other objectives of the action plan, according to Dakuku, are to operationalise and complement the IMO Action Plan on Marine Litter from Ships; and enhance the enforcement of existing laws, conventions and regulations, including MARPOL-Annex V, London Convention and its Protocol, and the Nigerian Merchant Shipping Act 2007.

Dakuku listed actions already taken by NIMASA, which has the responsibility of ensuring clean seas and oceans in Nigeria, to include engagement of Marine Litter Marshals across coastal communities and littoral areas as a pilot scheme to clean up identified Marine Litter Hotspots. Marine litter sensitisation campaigns have also been carried out in several littoral communities, he stated.

In her own remarks, the Minister of State for Environment, Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor, sued for synergy among relevant government agencies and the private sector in the fight against environmental pollution. Ikeazor, said the ministry would establish more recycling plants for the collection of plastics and other litter that would be cleared from the oceans.

“You have started right with sensitisation of our people on what to do with plastics. The Ministry of Environment will definitely support NIMASA. We will take this further and put it together to be a national action plan,” she stated.

The highpoint of the event was the unveiling of the Maritime Action Plan for Marine Litter and Plastics Management in Nigeria by the representative of the Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemi Saraki, Dr. Paul Adalikwu.

Other dignitaries at the launch included the chairman, House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Hon. Lynda Ikpeazu; Sokoto State Commissioner for Environment, Attahiru Bafarawa; and Yobe State Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Sidi Yakubu; Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Sokonte Davies; and representatives of private sector organisations, including VSF, an environment company, and Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA). 

World Shipping Community Confident in Nigeria’s Antipiracy Fight

Major stakeholders in the international shipping community have said they are confident of the measures and satisfied with the effectiveness of Nigeria’s efforts to contain piracy and armed robbery on the country’s maritime environment. They also expressed confidence in the abilities of the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the maritime industry regulator and linchpin of the country’s antipiracy efforts, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.    

Head of Maritime Safety and Security, Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), Jakob P. Larsen, stated, “The reality is that the shipping community and Dr. Peterside have been in close dialogue about the Nigerian-based piracy problem, and that we have repeatedly praised Dr. Peterside and NIMASA for their role in the preparations of antipiracy capabilities.”

BIMCO, a commercial shipping trade organisation headquartered in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is one of the largest international organisations of ship owners in the world.

The International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO) also said it was certain improved maritime safety and security were in the offing, with the current measures being put in place by NIMASA. The Marine Director of INTERTANKO, an association of independent tanker owners throughout the world, Dr. Phillip Belcher, said, “We value the close working relationship we have with the Nigerian administration and Dr. Dakuku Peterside, personally.”

The international shipping stakeholders were reacting to recent media publications alleging Nigeria might be reported to the United Nations on account of piracy.

Following disturbing reports by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) about piracy and maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria has since the inception of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration implemented a number of measures, through NIMASA, to counter the menace. The incidents affect Nigeria, among other West African countries, and the wider international community.

Dakuku said the antipiracy measures were meant to “guarantee a Nigerian maritime space devoid of criminality, where people can feel confident to trade and Nigeria can take full advantage of the rich potential of its maritime environment.”  

The above objective led to the introduction of the Total Spectrum Maritime Security Strategy by NIMASA, Nigerian Navy, and other stakeholders. In actualisation of the strategy, the Federal Government initiated the Integrated Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also known as the Deep Blue Project, with participation from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, and NIMASA.

Fully funded by NIMASA, with HLSI International as technical partners, the Deep Blue Project has three main components, namely, intelligence gathering, which led to the establishment of the C4i surveillance system; response capability, which led to the acquisition of maritime security assets; and training of personnel to patrol Nigeria’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone

The C4i centre is like the central nervous centre for the Deep Blue Project for intelligence gathering and analysis. It has started operation, while most of the assets have been acquired, and the training of personnel is at the final stages. The air assets meant to build reconnaissance capability include Special Mission Aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The maritime assets for monitoring the waters include and Special Mission Vessels and interceptor boats; and the land assets for securing the coastal areas include armoured vehicles.

The Federal Government also enacted in June 2019 the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences Act 2019 as a legal framework for prosecution of maritime offenders. The Act made Nigeria the first country in the West and Central African Sub-Region to have a separate law against piracy. This is an important international requirement set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) as part of measures to guarantee secure global shipping.

As the infrastructural and legal aspects of the Total Spectrum Maritime Security Strategy began to come into operation, IMB reported a drop in piracy attacks in Nigeria in the third quarter of 2019. IMB said in its report, “Nigeria has reduced Q3 piracy attacks from 41 in 2018 to 29 in 2019,” which represents nearly 30 per cent year-on-year reduction.World Shipping Community Confident in Nigeria’s Antipiracy Fight

Major stakeholders in the international shipping community have said they are confident of the measures and satisfied with the effectiveness of Nigeria’s efforts to contain piracy and armed robbery on the country’s maritime environment. They also expressed confidence in the abilities of the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the maritime industry regulator and linchpin of the country’s antipiracy efforts, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.    

Head of Maritime Safety and Security, Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), Jakob P. Larsen, stated, “The reality is that the shipping community and Dr. Peterside have been in close dialogue about the Nigerian-based piracy problem, and that we have repeatedly praised Dr. Peterside and NIMASA for their role in the preparations of antipiracy capabilities.”

BIMCO, a commercial shipping trade organisation headquartered in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is one of the largest international organisations of ship owners in the world.

The International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO) also said it was certain improved maritime safety and security were in the offing, with the current measures being put in place by NIMASA. The Marine Director of INTERTANKO, an association of independent tanker owners throughout the world, Dr. Phillip Belcher, said, “We value the close working relationship we have with the Nigerian administration and Dr. Dakuku Peterside, personally.”

The international shipping stakeholders were reacting to recent media publications alleging Nigeria might be reported to the United Nations on account of piracy.

Following disturbing reports by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) about piracy and maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria has since the inception of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration implemented a number of measures, through NIMASA, to counter the menace. The incidents affect Nigeria, among other West African countries, and the wider international community.

Dakuku said the antipiracy measures were meant to “guarantee a Nigerian maritime space devoid of criminality, where people can feel confident to trade and Nigeria can take full advantage of the rich potential of its maritime environment.”  

The above objective led to the introduction of the Total Spectrum Maritime Security Strategy by NIMASA, Nigerian Navy, and other stakeholders. In actualisation of the strategy, the Federal Government initiated the Integrated Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also known as the Deep Blue Project, with participation from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, and NIMASA.

Fully funded by NIMASA, with HLSI International as technical partners, the Deep Blue Project has three main components, namely, intelligence gathering, which led to the establishment of the C4i surveillance system; response capability, which led to the acquisition of maritime security assets; and training of personnel to patrol Nigeria’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone

The C4i centre is like the central nervous centre for the Deep Blue Project for intelligence gathering and analysis. It has started operation, while most of the assets have been acquired, and the training of personnel is at the final stages. The air assets meant to build reconnaissance capability include Special Mission Aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The maritime assets for monitoring the waters include and Special Mission Vessels and interceptor boats; and the land assets for securing the coastal areas include armoured vehicles.

The Federal Government also enacted in June 2019 the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences Act 2019 as a legal framework for prosecution of maritime offenders. The Act made Nigeria the first country in the West and Central African Sub-Region to have a separate law against piracy. This is an important international requirement set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) as part of measures to guarantee secure global shipping.

As the infrastructural and legal aspects of the Total Spectrum Maritime Security Strategy began to come into operation, IMB reported a drop in piracy attacks in Nigeria in the third quarter of 2019. IMB said in its report, “Nigeria has reduced Q3 piracy attacks from 41 in 2018 to 29 in 2019,” which represents nearly 30 per cent year-on-year reduction.

MARITIME SECURITY: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BACKS NIGERIA;S DEEP BLUE PROJECT

·        Floating Dock will Boost Nigeria’s Revenue-Ikpeazu

·        Navy: With SMVs We Can Reach Pirates Anywhere On Our Waters

 The Integrated Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, commonly called the Deep Blue Project, received rave reviews on Tuesday from members of the House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration during an oversight visit to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and tour of some of its facilities under the project in Lagos.

Chairman, House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Hon. Lynda Ikpeazu, in a friendly chat with the Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside during the visit of the committee to the Agency's Headquarters in Lagos, today 03-03-2020

The committee members, led by the Chairman, Honourable Lynda Ikpeazu, inspected the Special Mission Vessels (SMVs) under the Deep Blue Project – DB Abuja and DB Lagos – and the C4i Centre, and pledged their strong support for the project.

Chairman, House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Hon. Lynda Ikpeazu (right) and Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside during the visit of the committee to the Agency's Headquarters in Lagos, today 03-03-2020

Corroborating the legislature’s position, the Commander of DB Lagos, Captain Maksun Mohammed, said the vessels will be a game changer in the fight against piracy and other maritime crimes on the country’s waters, as the criminals could be easily reached and stopped.

On his part, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, lauded the National Assembly for its continued support for the Agency and the maritime sector, generally. Dakuku also extolled the Nigerian Navy for its leading role in the pursuit of maritime security.

The maritime security assets are funded by NIMASA and run in conjunction with the Navy and other members of the Armed Forces, paramilitary organisations, and agencies under the Federal Ministry of Transportation.

Speaking at the event, Ikpeazu said the committee was impressed by the projects the Agency had facilitated in recent times, adding that the Floating Dock acquired by NIMASA remained a viable project that would generate lots of revenue for the country.

“We need to get a permanent berth for this huge platform because when it is fully operational it would amount to a very huge revenue earner for Nigeria because a lot of vessels would be able to dry-dock in-country,” she said.

On the SMVs and the Command, Control, Computer Communication, and Intelligence Centre (C4i Centre), which the committee visited, Ikpeazu said she was impressed with the level of coordination at the centre, especially the partnership between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy. But she advised that aside NIMASA working with the Navy, the Agency should collaborate with other relevant Agencies, saying this would help in the battle against illegalities in the maritime environment.

Speaking on the SMVs, which are fitted with fast interceptor boats, Mohammed stated, “We have had hijack cases on our waters and more often than not, the reason they are successful is because they are beyond reach. But with this craft, that is not going to be an issue anymore, because it is either we launch fast interceptor boats that are capable of attaining the speed of about 55 nauts – no vessel can beat that vessel out at sea – or we put our special forces on the aircraft and send them out to the target and capture the ship.

“This vessel is going to be a game changer based on its capabilities. We are looking forward to going into operations soon.”

He said there will be rigorous training for personnel, who will man the vessels, before going into full operation.

“The vessel is highly sophisticated and highly computerised. That is why there will be a rigorous training process before we launch into operation. The training will be overseen by experts with inept knowledge about the operations of the ship. There will be a lot of emphasis on training so that we can have sufficient competence to operate this craft the way we should,” Mohammed stated.

He added that the vessels were equipped with state-of-the-art intelligence gathering gadgets that could receive information and respond in the quickest time possible.

Dakuku said the National Assembly was very crucial in the Agency’s quest to reform the maritime industry.

He stated, “The National Assembly is our most critical partner in our quest to reposition the maritime sector because the success of any regulator depends on the enforcement of laws made by the legislators. We crave their continued support so that we can continue to deliver on our mandate to the Nigerian people.”

The highlight of the visit was the inspection of the two SMVs, DB Lagos and DB Abuja, which are currently anchored at Navy Town, Lagos.

Other members of the committee on the tour included Hon. Kabiru Idris, Hon. Gambo Mubarak, Hon. Bamisili Oluwafemi Richard, Hon. Ajilesor Abimbola Taofeek, Hon. Samson Okwu, Hon. Magaji Amos Gwamna, and Hon. Victor Nwokolo. Others were Hon. Abubakar Abdullahi Ahmad, Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, Hon. Abdullahi Idris Garba, Hon. Wole Oke, Hon. Nasiru Sanni Zango Daura, Hon. Yusuf Ahmad Tijani, Hon. Olumide Osoba, and Hon. Bassey Ewa.

CIoTA to Professionalise Transport Administration in Nigeria

… Bello Says Infrastructure to Boost Transportation Sector

The President of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIoTA) Dr. Bashir Yusuf Jamoh has said that the Institute is set to professionalise all aspects of transportation industry in Nigeria for sustainable development.

Dr. Jamoh said this at the opening of a 3-Day National Transportation Summit organised by CIOTA at the Yar' Adua Centre in Abuja with the theme “Unlocking the Potentials of Transportation for Sustainable Development.”

According to the CIoTA President, “with the recent assent of Mr. President recognizing the Institute as the sole professional body in the transport industry, CIoTA will engage all stakeholders to ensure that all those involved in transport administration in Nigeria are certified to enhance professionalism.

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He also disclosed that the institute's plan to engage some graduate youths already mobilised for the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) as transport administration volunteers.

Board Member, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA), Mr. Kenneth Asekome; Managing Director Nigerian Railway Cooperation (NRC) Mr. Fidet Okhiri; President Chartered Institute of Transport Administration Nigeria (CIoTA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh; National President 2, CIoTA, Professor Calistus Ibe and Deputy Director Administration, NIMASA, Mr. Kabir Munir at the opening of a three-day National Transportation Summit organised by CIoTA in Abuja.

According to him, the volunteer group will also work with other relevant government agencies like Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) in carrying out its activities.

He added that CIoTA would conduct research aimed at solving most of the transport challenges in the country.

Standardisation of Transport training geared towards enhanced professionalism, according to Jamoh, will be done by the institute through upgrading curriculum of transport training schools and partnership.

He also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the recent groundbreaking launch of the University of Transportation in Daura and Katsina State and signing the CIoTA Bill into law.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Shippers Council, Mr. Hassan Bello, decried the absence of seamless links in the country's transport infrastructure while commending government efforts at getting them fixed.

Bello said there must be a link between economy and transportation in Nigeria if the economy must move faster with its peers.

According to him, CIoTA holds the answer to several of Nigeria's lingering transport issues since it is organised, devoid of unhealthy rivalry and not having any distraction like leadership tussles.

Nigeria, Bello said, is in the era of diversification of national revenue sources and the transport sector is supportive of other businesses including creation of much needed employments.

He said  Apapa  and Tin Can Ports that had 24m metric tonnes capacity for cargo handling, presently handles over 89m metric tonnes which gets them overstretched.

He added that linking the ports with rail and pipelines would bridge existing gaps in cargo delays and address the perennial traffic in Apapa area of Lagos.

The Executive Secretary suggested that the whole of Apapa should be handed over to Nigeria Ports Authority as a way of getting it organised.

NPA, according to him, should determine who does what and in which area of the port environment. 

He said an issue as sensitive ad transport should not be left to non-professionals as Transport connects people and businesses and should be a thing of pride to citizens.

He decried that Nigeria is the only country whose crude is carried at Free On Board (FOB) carriage mode causing huge loss of freight components amounting to billions on Naira.

Nigeria Comes Extremely Close to IMO New Status

In Marked Improvement, Nigeria Comes Extremely Close to IMO New Status

• West Africa Loses Seat

• We Will be back Stronger Says Saraki

Nigeria came within a whisker of returning to Category C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Friday in London after losing the IMO Council election by just one vote. Though, the country missed its bid for membership of the Governing Council, IMO’s highest decision making organ, Nigeria’s performance was a remarkable improvement from 2017, when it lost by 12 votes.

However, West Africa lost its only seat in the Council, as Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, and Kenya retained their seats in the 20-member Category C of the IMO.

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Nigeria’s delegation to the 31st Session of the IMO had put up a spirited campaign for election into the Governing Council, whose membership the country lost in 2011. The country polled 110 votes to come 21st, one short of the 111 polled by Kenya, which came 20th, the cut off point for Category C membership of the Council.

Nigeria will have another chance for a shot at the Council in 2021, during the next biennial Session of the IMO Assembly. Being in the Council brings opportunities and openings for nations to be involved in various decisions that will impact on the maritime sector globally and the country in particular.

The Minister of State for Transportation, Dr Gbemisola Saraki, who led the country’s delegation, said the campaign for the 2021 bid had begun. Saraki said it was a matter of paramount national interest that “Nigeria gets a seat on the maritime table”.  

She said the country would, as a first task, appraise the factors behind its narrow loss. “We are going to go back to the countries that voted to ask them what they did not think we have done well or why they did not vote for us,” Saraki stated.

But she insisted Nigeria had done remarkably well in reforming its maritime sector to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She pointed to the milestones in maritime safety and security, gender equality, and environmental responsibility.

Saraki was delighted by the determined effort of the Nigerian delegation to campaign for the Category C seat.

The Nigerian delegation also included Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside; whose Agency was the lead anchor. Others were Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman; 

Chairman Senate Committee on Maritime transport , Senator Danjuma Goje, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Lynda Ikpeazu; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Sabiu Zakari; Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Duja Effedua and Barr. Hassan Bello, Executive Secretary Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC).