Maritime security operators under the aegis of the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria have said that the rising operational expenses for vessels have led to the increase of offshore shipping charges by $1500.
The President of MASPAN, Emmanuel Maiguwa, said in Lagos that members will be reviewing the charges in a couple of months.
“So, the association has to come together to review the charges a little bit by $1500. It is not a significant increase. It is not even as increase that the members desire, but we thought that it is going to be a disaster in the waiting if we continue with the old rate. So, we feel it will support until we review it again after a couple of months.”
Maiguwa explained that there was the need for their members to operate their vessels in such a way that safety would not be compromised, adding that if a vessel is not properly managed, it can cause not just loss of lives but also pollute the environment. “The increase was necessitated as a result of rising operational expenses for vessels. And our members need to operate their vessels in such a way that it will not compromise the safety of the environment. You will understand that if a vessel is not well managed, it will collide. It can sink; lives would be lost and the environment can be polluted.”
According to him, there are between 20–30 vessels belonging to members of the association that conduct escort on the country’s waters daily.
“All of them have Nigerian Navy men on board. The Navy can call any vessel to intercept any attack or any incident at any point in time.”
Maiguwa also disclosed that members of the association were planning to bring on board 60 more security vessels to ensure adequate security on the waterways.
He, however, said that there was a need for members of the association to operate in a safe environment.
“I am just being conservative. Daily you will see 60 vessels belonging to private security at sea, loaded with arm men from the Nigerian Navy. So, it is the combined work between MASPAN and the Nigerian Navy.”
The MASPAN boss called for proper regulation from the government.
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