The National President, Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association, Engr. Matthew Alalade has said that the sponsors of the Maritime Security Agency (MASECA) bill are not driven by patriotism rather by selfish motives.
Alalade who made this position known in an interview with newsmen in Lagos stated that if the sponsors of the bill meant well for the country, they could have partnered with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and advise the agency on ways to better police the maritime environment rather than setting up a parallel body in order to spite NIMASA.
He accused the proponents of the bill of scheming to take over NIMASA’s job even as he said that NIMASA had performed well according to the resources available to it hence there was no need for another body to be created to do the same job.
“If the government stretches NIMASA the more, I think they will perform more. So, there is no need for another body to come up and IMO recognizes NIMASA, they have been in contact with NIMASA. If there is need for us to feel that NIMASA is not performing well, then you can advise them or partner with them on the areas you think they are not doing well.
“But I believe strongly that government needs to support them (NIMASA) more so that they will strengthen their MOU with the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force. That is why we come against this MASECA Bill and it is been borne out of selfish motives by some strong individuals in the society.
“How do you know that these people will perform and who are the proponents of this bill? Are they mariners? Are they sea farers? That is why the whole stakeholders opposed the MASECA Bill so that what NIMASA is doing right now, let us support it and let government strengthen them.
“NIMASA is the Coast Guard in Nigeria for now, what they need to do is to strengthen them to perform more and let them do their statutory role on the waters. These people that are pushing this bill now, how are you sure that they are going to perform? Have they convinced us on why they are coming onboard? There was no conviction from them during the public hearing on the bill in the National Assembly”, he said.
The Nigerian Merchant Navy boss therefore posited that Nigeria cannot afford to have two parallel bodies as it will be a laughing stock before the international community if it happens or if NIMASA disbanded for another body to come on stream.
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