Nigeria has been removed from the list of countries designated as risk maritime nations by the International Bargaining Forum (IBF).
A statement from the Assistant Director, Public Relations of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Osagie Edward, said the removal is a confirmation of the improved global ratings of security in Nigeria’s maritime domain as a result of sustained collaborative efforts of NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy.
IBF is a joint global body of maritime employers and seafarers’ unions, comprising the International Transport Federation (ITF), and the international maritime employers that make up the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG).
The Forum listed five designated risk areas and applicable benefits in the event of attacks leading to deaths and disability, mentioning the Gulf of Guinea as the second extended war risk zone covering the Liberia and Ivory Coast border as well as the Angola and Namibia border.
The list also called for double compensation for seafarers who die or who suffer disability on the date of attack on vessels in the Gulf of Guinea.
This achievement is a product of a well-structured multimodal policy which has been implemented over the years to fight piracy and other criminalities in Nigerian waters.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, was quoted as saying: “This achievement is a product of a well-structured multimodal policy which has been implemented over the years to fight piracy and other criminalities in Nigerian waters.
“The Legal instrument called SPOMO Act signed into Law by President Buhari in 2019, the full implementation of the Deep Blue Project by NIMASA, expanded assets and capacity of the Nigerian Navy, enhanced cooperation between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy, and the regional collaborative efforts under the umbrella of SHADE Gulf of Guinea midwifed by NIMASA, are all policies of the current administration and the benefits are gradually coming to fruition. We are focused on ultimately improving and reducing the cost of commercial shipping in Nigeria.”
Confirming the development earlier on Thursday, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, said Nigeria’s exit from the list was as a result of improved naval operations in its maritime domain and enhanced security architecture in the country’s waters.
“With the removal of the tag, insurance premium to be paid by ships doing business with, or plying Nigerian sea lanes will become normal insurance paid by other countries which are less expensive and will enhance shipping/cargo trade,” Gambo said.
