Is Nigeria’s Territorial Water Safe?

NIMASA insists piracy reports are false.

Is Nigeria’s Territorial Water Safe?

With massive investment in maritime security in the recent past, resulting in satellite capabilities and increased operational platforms, the removal of the country from war risk zone is not in sight, a situation that keeps insurance premium ships coming to the area,to pay on the high side, in what has been described as an international conspiracy against Nigeria. ANDREW AIRAHUOBHOR reports

Is there a justification for additional cost imposed on goods coming to Nigeria because the country was included in the list of war risk zones which attract high insurance premium? Many argue that the many security challenges being reported along the territorial waters is enough reason. But some others think otherwise, insinuating that the security challenges could have been premeditated to achieve certain goals.

NIMASA’s Perspective

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) accused foreign insurance companies otherwise known as Protection and Indemnity (P&I) clubs, of sabotaging Nigeria’s economy especially in the report of piracy activities in the sub-region.

Director General of NIMASA, Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, said that P&I clubs deliberately raise the red flag on vessel operating in sub-Sahara African region in other to milk them of more insurance money, lamenting that a lot of losses are being incurred through the marine insurance sector.

To him, most of the reported piracy attacks are untrue and a deliberate sabotage from foreign insurance companies. He observed that the P&I clubs have made so much out of Nigeria and other African countries, saying that there is need for Nigeria to have an equivalent of such in the country in order to make better gains.

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Source: allafrica.com