October 20, 2019 5:45 am
Concerned by threat to national security and the cost of doing business at the country’s seaport, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has notified the Nigerian Navy of its decision to dismantle the Secure Anchorage Area (SAA), operated on behalf of the Navy by a private company, OMSL Limited. NPA insisted that the security of the country’s waterways was the statutory responsibility of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Marine Police, and Nigerian Navy, which must all ensure a safe and secure Nigeria territorial waters.

The move by NPA has been hailed by stakeholders in the maritime sector, who claimed the initiative was timely to stave off a financial burden that the consulting company had brought on them.

A Secure Anchorage Area is an area outside the Lagos port that the Nigerian Navy, with a private company, has defined as a secure place where vessels can anchor safely from the threat of pirate attack.

THISDAY investigation reveals that vessels are charged $2,500 for the first day at the anchorage and $1,500 for subsequent days.

Numbers obtained by THISDAY also reveals that it takes between 28 and 30 days for a vessel to exit the anchorage.
According to vessel traffic numbers obtained from the NPA, 1,666 vessels called at the Lagos ports alone in a quarter and a minimum of 55 per cent of vessels that call at the Lagos port stays at the SAA.

This means that OMSL Limited, allegedly, owned by a prominent politician penciled to challenge Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in 2020, on behalf of the Nigerian Navy, collects, averagely, $133.28 million (N47.98 billion) annually. It has been collecting this fee since 2014.

Worried by this, the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, had directed the NPA to write a letter to the Chief of Naval Staff to request that the Navy stopped the operation of the facility. The NPA, in the letter, stated that the revenue generated from the operation at a charge of $1,500 per vessel per day from 2014 to date was neither remitted to it nor the federal government.

NPA argued that the patrol boat, NNS Dorina P101, as mother vessel, and the interceptor vessels, NNS Agede P258 and NNS Torie P259, were all purchased by it for the Nigerian Navy to patrol the anchorage and not to be designated for use at a facility that has no relationship with it.

In the letter dated October 9, 2019, which was obtained by THISDAY, NPA stated, “Sequel to your letter ref: NHQ/CNS/015/54/00/Vol.X111/695 of January 2018 to the Honourable Minister of Transportation giving the background to your involvement with the creation and operation of the Secure Anchorage for vessels by OMSL, the Honourable Minister had directed that a letter be written to your service to request that you stop the operation of this facility for the following reasons listed below:

“One, by virtue of Port Act (1954), an Anchorage Area is an integral part of NPA statutory responsibility while NIMASA, Marine Police and Nigerian Navy ensure a safe and secure Nigeria territorial waters. Two, the Secure Anchorage Area (SAA) (Centre Point 06 17’30N/003 12’00E) established by OMSL is located within the port limit, which should be strictly under the management and control of the NPA.

“Three, it is established that vessels are directed and regulated to this facility by OMSL, who NPA does not have contractual agreement or other with. However, the Navy has a Memorandum of Understanding with OMSL and is providing security to the anchorage. Four, the continued operation of this facility by a private entity could pose security threat to the nation.”

NPA further stated that the operations of SAA added up to high cost for vessels coming to Nigeria through the charge of $1,500 per vessel per day.

It said in the letter to the Navy, “To this end, you are graciously requested to stop the operation of the SAA while a new framework – nearing conclusion – is being put in place to be managed by NPA in collaboration with your service and other government agencies that are critical to the operation of the anchorage.

“Please note that the authority will issue a notice to Mariners for the discontinuance of the SAA operation and a consequent amendment of the British Admiralty Chart-1381.”

When contacted for comments, Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman, confirmed the development. She stressed, however, that she was worried entrenched interests might fuel insecurity to give an impression that the SAA had to stay.

Usman stated, “We have also notified the Nigerian Navy that, that arrangement cannot continue anymore, and we anticipate a pushback from the operators of these safe anchorage areas. But we are going to sustain our position that vessels should not be charged for safe anchorage area.

“The Nigeria government, Nigerian Navy, should provide that. And to the extent that the Nigerian Navy requires an additional support, we would provide that support. But, already, our vessels that we procured to secure that anchorage are part of the vessels that they are using to secure the safe anchorage area.”

The NPA managing director added, “I would like to say that any increase in insecurity in the Lagos waters, as relates to this, we are going to hold some people responsible, because once you remove, for example, a safe anchorage, they would try to intentionally create insecurity. I just needed to sound that as a point of reference.

“This safe anchorage has been removed, and we would work with the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA to secure the anchorage. Any attempt to create any insecurity, to justify the establishment of the safe anchorage area, would not be accepted, because our anchorage in the Lagos area has been very safe. We do not have any incidence or activities of militants in the waterways in this part.”

In their reaction, officials of many shipping companies applauded the NPA for the bold move, adding that this would go a long way in reducing port cost. The officials, who did not want their names in print, disclosed that NIMASA already collected security fees, saying the multiple fees are a major barrier to the growth of the shipping industry in Nigeria.

https://twitter.com/jeffphilips1/status/1185944150270717952
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/20/citing-security-npa-cancels-133-28m-saa-fees/

A Secure Anchorage Area is an area outside the Lagos port that the Nigerian Navy, with a private company, has defined as a secure place where vessels can anchor safely from the threat of pirate attack.

The person or people that came up with this safe anchorage crap should be investigated for grand racketeering because they are definitely behind some of the pirates attacks outside the SAA

Geez. See how guys make cool money!

Lifestone:
Geez. See how guys makes cool money!

I tell you.

Nigeria is full of rent seekers, keep taking left and right but giving back nothing.

Alright

A lesson from former VP Sambo, if you have or still hands-in-the-cookie-jar, don't get political

FarahAideed:

The person or people that came up with this safe anchorage crap should be investigated for grand racketeering because they are definitely behind some of the pirates attacks outside the SAA

Seconded

It Bad move.
Even the US government IRS uses private security.
This is a case of someone else interested in that business arrangement, otherwise while will a new framework guide to guide SAA be coming online soon?
Just give Navy the duty. We don't need new framework
The SAA came about when Piracy was rife in the Gulf of Guinea. Pirates even blew the Atlas Cove Jetty.
Where was NNavy and NPA?

Vessels were hijacked in our waters and millions of dollars were paid as ransom.

Now someone did the maths of how much it has probably earned and wants to be the person earning that money.

Smart thieves

Hmmm......this is certainly a racket by the Jonathan Administration. (2014) and it is benefitting someone from Edo State. Crooks

But make no mistake about it, if this beneficiary was one Northerner, no one would dare cancel the contract.

Remember that for years now, Gold is being mined in Zamfara State, with no accruement to the Fed. Treasury and no one is talking about it but when ordinary local boys in SS are trying to refine Crude oil in their backyard, for their small gain, Buhari will send the Navy, DSS and Army against them.
Even Ondo state cannot mine its Bitumen deposits which is reputed to be ablut the largets in the whole world, because the FEd Govt will not allow it.

You see why l say in this Nigeria, "Some Cows Animals are more equal than others"?
This systematic emasculation of Southerners has to stop. Buhri is a nepotistic tribalist.

All these, under one man.....
NEVER AGAIN!!!
Baba carry go, we know why they hate you!!!!!!!

Buhari and his government is really trying to weed off greedy wolves from this country, but it's obvious that it will take a very long time to achieve even with 100 buharis. This is serious.

contigiency:
Buhari and his government is really trying to weed off greedy wolves from this country, but it's obvious that it will take a very long time to achieve even with 100 buharis. This is serious.

But why is it that it is only in the South of Nigeria they see the greedy wolves to weed?
This one sided manner is not how to fight corruption, it just shows that the man is super-corrupt and cunning, using his corruption fight to decimate one part of the country, to the advantage of his own part.

Mind you, l am for a complete and impartial decimation of all these crooks, but l want it doen without this partiality that Buhari is operating.

OMSL according to Amaechi has been collecting $1500 per day since 2014 and has neither remitted any money to the NPA nor the Federal government!

I think this is where the EFCC is needed. Insecurity and major crimes in Nigeria are fuelled by politicians and same people that we see on tv and the media acting like patriots. These people are epitomes of evil.

You can tell from the language of the NPA boss that she’s worried about the evil stakeholders in the illegal fees initiating and propagating violence and insecurities to justify the continued existence of OMSL. I hope the police DSS investigate the person and person behind the company.
Nigeria must be salvaged from evil people.

Okay

Solutions should have been brought up before cancellation of the agreement.

Well whatever works, abeg check out my signature. Man must wack.

contigiency:
Buhari and his government is really trying to weed off greedy wolves from this country, but it's obvious that it will take a very long time to achieve even with 100 buharis. This is serious.

Stopping means full investigation and prosecution. They can never stop as long as they are free men. They should be in jails. It’s not enough to stop their illegal activities as they’ll always conceive and start another one.

I remember the days of Toll gates, these were good revenue earning initiatives which if properly managed would ensure that our roads remain in good shape and motorable but politicians bastardised the activities. Well connected people ‘owned’ certain toll gates, had their own staff, print their own tickets and were controlling the toll fees as they pleased. What did Obasanjo do? He was so frustrated at the level of financial activities being perpetuated with impunity by these people but instead of investigating and punishing these crooks for crimes against the state, he decided to destroy and dismantle all the toll gates...talk of throwing the baby with the bath water!

In China, USA, Uk and lots of countries with serious leadership, the people behind these crimes are punished severely. China and North Korea would put them to death.

This is where you need EFCC, not engaging in witty social media posts.

LocalChamp:




This means that OMSL Limited, allegedly, owned by a prominent politician penciled to challenge Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in 2020, on behalf of the Nigerian Navy, collects, averagely, $133.28 million (N47.98 billion) annually. It has been collecting this fee since 2014

/
This is why people say that journalism in Nigeria has gone to the dogs.

The owner of OMSL Ltd is known but the journalists are scared of mentioning his name.

Total bullshit!

/

fkj950ax:
It Bad move.
Even the US government IRS uses private security.
This is a case of someone else interested in that business arrangement, otherwise while will a new framework guide to guide SAA be coming online soon?
Just give Navy the duty. We don't need new framework
The SAA came about when Piracy was rife in the Gulf of Guinea. Pirates even blew the Atlas Cove Jetty.
Where was NNavy and NPA?

Vessels were hijacked in our waters and millions of dollars were paid as ransom.

Now someone did the maths of how much it has probably earned and wants to be the person earning that money.

Did you understand the story at all?

KosiGee:
OMSL according to Amaechi has been collecting $1500 per day since 2014 and has neither remitted any money to the NPA nor the Federal government!

Is OMSL a government agency? It is a private company doing business. Why should it remit to the government?
Is it in the contract with NPA to collect on behalf of government?

It's all about the DOLLARs. Amaechi and all the people in government wants to be the people collecting $1500/day will 2023.

FarahAideed:



Did you understand the story at all?

Yes.
I also worked in that field a while back.
There are other SAAs in operation in the GoG. Are you aware of this?
It is not only OMSL providing SAA

InvertedHammer:


/
This is why people say that journalism in Nigeria has gone to the dogs.

The owner of OMSL Ltd is known but the journalists are scared of mentioning his name.

Total bullshit!

/

Our journalists are also corrupt and have no balls.

All these measures are to reduce the overhead costs and unnecessary charges incurred by importers.
Which will make our ports more attractive to foreign vessels.
Very soon , Cargoes will prefer coming to Nigerian ports instead of Cotonou.

LocalChamp:
October 20, 2019 5:45 am

The NPA managing director added, “I would like to say that any increase in insecurity in the Lagos waters, as relates to this, we are going to hold some people responsible, because once you remove, for example, a safe anchorage, they would try to intentionally create insecurity. I just needed to sound that as a point of reference.

I like this woman’s patriotism.
DSS should put the owner of the rogue company on watch list.
Nigeria will be great.

fkj950ax:


Yes.
I also worked in that field a while back.
There are other SAAs in operation in the GoG. Are you aware of this?
It is not only OMSL providing SAA

Because you worked there doesn't make this not criminal .. What kind of racketeering business model is this .

Create a pirate safe zone for ships to drop anchor .

Charge the ships that opt for this ( making them pay for protection )

Then now use Nigerian Navy assets and manpower funded by tax payers money to protect the area or five a semblance that they are protecting the area .

SHIPs that don't use the SAA are left without protection in Nigerian waterways .

Guy this is not a business but a criminal racketeering venture no different that what street gangsters do to when they ask shops to pay for protection so that they are not robbed .

Nigerian Navy is mandated to police all 200 kms of Nigerian waters and not just a select area where people are forced to pay .

I gather that MD of OMSL was the former flag officer Western Naval command at a time when piracy was at its peak which says a lot.

I dare you to show me a similar arrangement in the USA where a private company uses coast guard asset to protect a select area of American waters .. When the US uses private contractors for security e.g blackwater they do it abroad and in clearly spelt protection terms and not racketeering .

fkj950ax:


Is OMSL a government agency? It is a private company doing business. Why should it remit to the government?
Is it in the contract with NPA to collect on behalf of government?

It's all about the DOLLARs. Amaechi and all the people in government wants to be the people collecting $1500/day will 2023.

I am sure there must have been a sharing ratio before govt allowed them start this criminal venture and besides they are using Navy assets and personnel to provide this protection

KosiGee:
OMSL according to Amaechi has been collecting $1500 per day since 2014 and has neither remitted any money to the NPA nor the Federal government!

I think this is where the EFCC is needed. Insecurity and major crimes in Nigeria are fuelled by politicians and same people that we see on tv and the media acting like patriots. These people are epitomes of evil.

You can tell from the language of the NPA boss that she’s worried about the evil stakeholders in the illegal fees initiating and propagating violence and insecurities to justify the continued existence of OMSL. I hope the police DSS investigate the person and person behind the company.
Nigeria must be salvaged from evil people.

The person behind OMSL is the former Flag officer of the western naval command

Seems another motive may be behind it all

fkj950ax:
It Bad move.
Even the US government IRS uses private security.
This is a case of someone else interested in that business arrangement, otherwise while will a new framework guide to guide SAA be coming online soon?
Just give Navy the duty. We don't need new framework
The SAA came about when Piracy was rife in the Gulf of Guinea. Pirates even blew the Atlas Cove Jetty.
Where was NNavy and NPA?

Vessels were hijacked in our waters and millions of dollars were paid as ransom.

Now someone did the maths of how much it has probably earned and wants to be the person earning that money.

....going by your analysis (which hardly makes sense) we should scrap the Navy, and give our security on waters to "Private Security".

Pray tell, why would Atlas Cove be blown up with corrupt govt of the past if the below is the end-game.

This means that OMSL Limited, allegedly, owned by a prominent politician penciled to challenge Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in 2020, on behalf of the Nigerian Navy, collects, averagely, $133.28 million (N47.98 billion) annually. It has been collecting this fee since 2014.

Despite the fact that for that same security issue this was done

NPA argued that the patrol boat, NNS Dorina P101, as mother vessel, and the interceptor vessels, NNS Agede P258 and NNS Torie P259, were all purchased by it for the Nigerian Navy to patrol the anchorage and not to be designated for use at a facility that has no relationship with it.

So we invested in security patrol of our waters, yet privatized it?