There is no gain saying that the coming of Ocean Marine Solution Limited, OMSL, at a time that criminality on the nation’s waterway was at its zenith occasioned by the activities of pirates and oil thieves has saved the nation’s economy from imminent collapse.
No doubt, the task of securing both the maritime industry and providing operators a safe environment, obviously cannot be left in the hands of government alone. Investigation so far has shown that private involvement in providing security in the sector is just the way to go.
In realization of the obvious facts informed the collaboration and synergy between the Nigeria Navy and a privately owned Nigeria foremost Security Company, the Ocean Marine Solution Limited, owned by a Nigerian Retired Pilot, Dr, (Capt) Hosa Okunbo, who came on a rescue mission.
The Secure Anchorage Area, SAA, is believed to be the solution to safe landing of vessels when they berth at the seaports in Lagos before the storm between the Nigeria Ports Authority, NPC and OMSL.
Before the Senate approval for it continuation SAA, following a thorough investigation, it was clear to the lawmakers and other players in the sector that there is need to ensure the security of vessels at the nation’s sea ports which cannot be undermined on alter of ego, power play or extraneous forces in the polity.
Despite the campaign of calumny and gang up by some powerful forces to abort the SAA operations, recent development however also brought to bear why operators of the SAA should not only be encouraged in the daunting task of securing International ship in berthing safely for business on Nigeria waters.
Recent viral reports have it that what would have been a major source of embarrassment to the federal government was nipped in the bud when a joint team of the Nigeria Navy and Ocean Marine Solution Limited, (OMSL), freed a Chinese cargo ship and it entire crew that were attacked in the Gulf of Guinea by pirates.
This ugly incident if not for the swift intervention of a highly and technologically equipped OMSL and the Navy would have painted the country in bad light especially at point where the federal government is battling to ensure ease of doing business in Nigeria.
According to available reports obtained from FleetMon Explorer, an international news agency, a general cargo ship ‘Huanghai Glory,’ was said to have left the Lekki Port, east of Lagos on Thursday March 5, 2020 and was reported to have been attacked and boarded by pirates at 1820 UMT some 85 nautical miles (NM) south of Lagos.
It was gathered the ship and its 23 crew members (all Chinese) were said to have been under the siege of the pirates for about 24 hours after the matter was reported to the Nigerian authorities.
Even more shocking was the disclosure that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) nor the Nigerian Maritime Administration & Safety Agency (NIMASA), whom it was learnt were communicated about the attack by the pirates could not come to the aid of the attacked ship not until a patrol boat (NNS SPARROW) owned and operated by the joint team of Nigeria Navy and OMSL under the Safe Anchorage Area (SSA) of Lagos port rose to the occasion.
Giving account of the incident, FleetMon Explorer stated: “General cargo ship HUANGHAI GLORY reported by Dryad Global as attacked, boarded by pirates at 1820 UTC Mar 5, some 85 nm south of Lagos Nigeria, Gulf of Guinea, “adding that, “The ship was drifting after attack, not responding to contact requests.”
The report stated that tracking process monitored showed that, “the ship started moving at around 1300 UTC Mar 6, after about an hour went adrift again. As of 1500 UTC Mar 6, the ship was still adrift or moving at slow speed.”
It however explained that, “Nigerian Navy patrol boat NNS SPARROW approaching – in nearly 24 hours after alert, in vicinity of Lagos.”
According to report, the 23 crew members of the ship were reportedly all Chinese. The ship left Lekki port, east of Lagos, understood on March 5th, though AIS track looks somewhat different with positions and time not exactly fitting in the story.
“General cargo ship HUANGHAI GLORY, IMO 9458432, dwt 28287, built 2012; flag HK, manager TIANJIN XINHAI INTL SHIP MGMT, Tianjin.”
Although, FleetMon Explorer did not expatiate on the details of patrol boat NNS SPARROW which rescued the ship and its crew members investigation however confirmed that it belong to OMSL, as it is part of the vessels purchased by the firm and hitherto deployed to the Lagos water coast in assisting the Nigerian Navy to carry out patrol operations as part of the SSA agreement which has in recent times come under attack by the management of NPA.
Recall that the move was perceived by some industry stakeholders as an attempt to further increase the level of unemployment in the country as well as frustrate a noble ideal put in place to secure the nation’s maritime space especially the Lagos port from embarrassing situations such as what occurred during the attack.
Interestingly, findings shows that the ship ‘Huanghai Glory,’ which was rescued by the ‘NNS SPARROW’ is not under any contractual agreement with OMSL before it offered to intervene on the platform of National interest.
It was gathered that OMSL was driven by the spirit of patriotism to nationhood and made it vessel available to the Navy when it beckoned and got a swift respond.
A reputable Freight forwarder, Mr. Mark Okonkwo, who claimed to be aware of the incident said that, “The case was reported to the Navy and neither the Navy nor NIMASA or NPA could make swift move expected for the rescue mission.”
With the activities of pirates, stakeholders in the maritime sector are presently calling for legislation that would guarantee, protect and allow private sector participation in the security of the seaports as witnessed in other developed climes of the world without undue hindrance and unnecessary rivalries.
- Patrick, a public affairs analyst sent this piece from Benin City
