The Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside has identified the lack of adequate security infrastructure as the major challenge to the implementation of the International Ships and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) Code in Nigeria.
Peterside who disclosed this at the ongoing inaugural meeting of the National Port Facility Security Officers (NPFSOs) Forum holding in Lagos also listed volatility of Nigeria’s security in general occasioned by militant activities in the Niger-Delta region and the Boko Haram actions in the North East as well as lack of maintenance of some port facility security infrastructure as other challenges.
Represented by the Director, Maritime Labour in the agency, Mrs. Juliana Gunwa recalled that the ISPS Code formed the basis for a comprehensive mandatory security regime for international shipping adding that it provided a framework through which ships and port facilities could co-operate to detect and deter acts which posed a threat to the maritime security.
The DG noted that one of the main objectives of the ISPS Code was the establishment of an international framework that fostered cooperation between contracting governments, government agencies, local administrations and the shipping and port industries in assessing and detecting potential security threats to ships or port facilities used for international trade so as to implement preventive security measures against such threats.
He informed that in a bid to realizing the objectives of the Code, the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) contracting governments, port authorities and shipping companies were required under the ISPS Code to designate appropriate security officers and personnel on each ship, port facility and shipping company saying that these security officers, designated Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs), Ship Security Officers (SSOs) and Company Security Officers (CSOs) were charged with the duties of assessing, as well as preparing and implementing effective security plans that were able to manage any potential security threat.
Petersdide identified the three point strategy adopted by NIMASA as the Designated Authority (DA) for the ISPS Code in implementing the Code to include constant engagement with stakeholders, articulated administrative structure for processing of requests and grading of required approvals as well as effective and coordinated regime inspections.
“Since NIMASA became the Designated Authority (DA) three years ago, it has vigorously pursued compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, which has led to the tremendous increase of Nigeria’s compliance level. Consequently, during the January 2016 gap analysis of Nigeria’s ISPS Code implementation infrastructure, the IMO bestowed on the agency an official seal of approval”, he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the forum, Mr. Anataku Subaru described the inaugural meeting of the forum as a moment to learn, exchange ideas and savour.
According to him,” It is worthy to note that the idea of forming the national forum was conceptualized out of our desire to enhance security and safety in this era when our dear nation is struggling to overcome several security challenges. You will agree with me that no socio-econ0mic or socio-cultural activities can thrive in an environment infested with insecurity, therefore, the need for all of us to consolidate as an entity to contribute out little quota to enhance security”.
He disclosed that the NPFSOs forum was formed to bring together all the Port facility Security officers (PFSOs) in Nigeria with a view to identifying critical security lapses and challenges in the Nigeria’s maritime domain among others.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service, Kris Oil Integrated Oil and Gas, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) among other organizations sent in their goodwill messages at the event which continues today at the Rockview Hotels ltd., Apapa, Lagos.
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