Maritime Agencies
THREE YEARS AS NIMASA DG: Jamoh and His Exploits
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
March 10, 2023, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, OFR, was three years in office as Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). To mark this, the agency’s Public Relations Team articulated his landmark achievements. Falcon Watch Online joins to do a special focus on Bashir Jamoh at three, x-raying specific areas his three-year tenure has made a difference plus a couple of other issues stakeholders expect him to focus on as he runs out his full tenure at the apex maritime agency.
As a home grown industry person, Dr Jamoh , on appointment, did not find it hard to quickly articulate areas of focus where special attention is needed to make a difference. These he dubbed the 3S: maritime Safety, maritime Security and Shipping development.
PIRACY & KIDNAPPING IN GoG
Nigerian waters form an integral part of the Gulf of Guinea (GoG). Nigerian waters and the entire GoG now enjoy a drastic reduction in piracy, incidences of kidnapping and other maritime crimes which hitherto made seafaring in the area a nightmare. In 2020, for instance, 130 cases were recorded; in 2021, it was 57. There was none throughout 2022. The commendable zero incidents of 2022 are even being witnessed as Q1 of 2023 rushes to lapse.
At this rate, stakeholders say, Nigeria now stands to do without payment of Extra War Risk Insurance (EWRI) premiums and other charges introduced on account of piracy and other crimes on waters.
THE DEEP BLUE PROJECT
In June 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari launched the deep blue project. The implementation has brought a marked reduction in maritime crimes because the Team NIMASA under Jamoh applied what can be described as a multi-sectoral approach in an attempt to address nagging problems. The agency struck new levels of strategic collaborations with regional countries and other global shipping nations with huge trade interest in the GoG.
Deep Blue Project assets include Marine Assets: Special Mission Vessels 2 (DB Abuja and DB Lagos), 17 Fast Intervention Boats. Air Assets: Special Mission Helicopters 3, Special Mission Aircrafts 2, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Land Assets and 17 Armored Vehicles.
Other facilities are – Command, Control, Computer, Communication and Intelligence (C4i) Centre, Training Facilities (Shooting Range, C4i Training Centre etc.) Various training were organized for all personnel in the deep blue project on how to operate the assets and facilities.
The Deep Blue Project Assets were classified into 3 (three) with over 254 personnel drawn from military and paramilitary organizations. These are Marine, Land and Air Assets.
MARITIME SECURITY:
SPOMO ACT
Before 2019, the nation didn’t have a separate law to try offenders and criminals arrested in piracy and kidnapping. Therefore, Jamoh pushed for a formal legislation and the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Related Offences (SPOMO) Act was signed into law by Mr. President in June 2019. As of today, under the SPOMO Act, the agency has secured convictions. This has also served as a deterrent to would-be criminals.
Implementation of the SPOMO Act led to better partnership with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies within and outside to gainfully explore ways and means to attain peace in the GoG region. The success of this approach enabled Nigeria’s delisting from the International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) Red List as well as the International Bargaining Forum’s (IBF) Unsafe Waters List.
To further deter these criminalities on the waterways and make the youths gainfully employed, the Agency engaged the Marine Litter Marshals.
REVENUE GENERATION
Since Dr Jamoh mounted the saddle in 2020, NIMASA has paid over N100billion into the federal government coffers. Between January 2020 to June 2022, N99, 944,345,082 was remitted to the federal government, records say.
SEAFARERS DEVELOPMENT
Under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), NIMASA has enrolled 2,041 student cadets since inception in 2009.
The number of officers so far trained is 656. While 625 cadets have obtained their Certificate of Competence (CoC), 31 others qualified as Naval Architects. While 360 cadets have completed seatime and are awaiting CoC, 351 have been assigned to MTIs and awaiting seatime; 120 withdrew with10 deceased.
STAFF WELFARE
Dr Jamoh inherited a staff condition of service which was reviewed last in 2010. Realizing the critical role a well-motivated workforce plays in maintaining a productive organization, he went on to secure an upward review of staff condition of service so as to increase commitment and efficiency on their part.
MARITIME SAFETY
At the end of the last quarter, 2021, the Federal Government approved the removal of wrecks from Badagry channel up to the Tin Can Island. In the first quarter of 2022 also, Government approved the removal of wrecks in Western zone in Lagos, Eastern zone in Port Harcourt and central Zone with headquarters in Warri. All these projects have achieved major milestones.
NIMASA engaged the Nigerian Navy Naval Dockyard in Lagos to repair operational vessels, Millennia 1 and Millennium 2. Today both vessels and five others are almost ready for deployment for enforcement purposes. This will also enhance search-and- rescue operation, port and flag state administration, amongst others.
In order to attend to the emergencies that may occur after a Search and Rescue Operation, the Agency has built two brand new Search and Base clinics of international standard at Azare Crescent, Apapa and Kirikiri.
“We are hopeful to commission them soon. The hospital is not for NIMASA or Nigeria, but original Regional States. NIMASA is in charge of nine countries in terms of Search and Rescue. The hospital is of high international standard where we hope to treat all caliber of patients locally and internationally with the state-of- the-arts equipments when completed, NIMASA says.
“In the area of Flag and Port State Administration, at the inception of the administration, there was no single vessel for enforcement in the past. Today, we have built seven brand new bullet proof boats and we expect them to have completed the building. They are being built in Spain, and we are hoping that before the end of March, we will receive and commission the vessels. As soon as the vessels are commissioned, there will be enhanced enforcement performance; and we plan to divide the use of the vessels not only in Lagos, but also to other zones of the Agency. All these will cater for the issue of safety.”
MARITIME TRAINING
In the area of education, the Agency introduced the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP). The Nigerian NSDP development program is a capacity development programme.
In order to ensure that Nigeria’s major maritime training institution is not relegated to the background, NIMASA has improved her interface with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron. The Agency’s statutory funding of the MAN Oron has been on point since 2020.
Currently, MAN Oron has Simulators, among other state-of- the- art facilities, and the funding by NIMASA has been unhindered. This is in addition to other private maritime institutions such as Charkins. They are now also coming up with a lot of accreditation of diplomas and other short-term certificate courses that are being done locally, thus, saving foreign exchange.
In addition to this initiative, the Agency created skills acquisition centres across the six geopolitical zones. For the South-West, one is in Lagos. In the South-East, there is one in Anambra; for South-South, there is one in Bayelsa. There is one in Maiduguri, Borno State, for North-East. For North-West, Kaduna has one while one is in Kwara for North Central.
So, these skill acquisition centers have the capacity of training younger Nigerians on different aspects of professionalism in the maritime sector. This idea is to help keep the youths busy thereby stemming the volume of criminality in the territorial waters. Records show that from the third quarter of 2021 till date, one single attack has not been recorded on the territorial waters.
SHIPPING DEVELOPMENT
The critical aspect of shipping development encompasses fleet expansion, shipbuilding and ship repairs. Shipping is responsible for over 90 percent of international transportation of goods that sustain the global supply chain, which is a significant component of the global economy, enhancing import and exports of goods and services.
NIMASA is poised to advance shipping by ensuring a conducive environment for commercial shipping and encouraging more indigenous participation in the global shipping trade.
LAST LINE
No doubt, Dr Jamoh’s scorecard at three years is impressive. But certain areas still yearn for attention as he inches towards the end of his first tenure as NIMASA Director General.
As some industry watchers say, it has become necessary to raise the standard of Nigerian Certificate of Competency (CoC) by inviting United Kingdom and American maritime authorities for a facility and faculty assessment visit to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, especially now that basic STWC training equipments are in place. Their observations and recommendations have to be noted and painstakingly followed.
Steps should be taken to possibly meet whatever standards the visitors may prescribe and recruit internationally recognized facility members and trainers for MAN.
Nigeria should sign a MoU with the UK and US authorities to recognize and accept Nigerian CoCs after meeting all the prescribed standards.
Nigeria should put on ground a two-year internal re-evaluation arrangement to ensure that attained standards are not compromised but improved upon in line with the expectations of modern navigation and global maritime trends.
There are expectations that Nigeria should look inwards and train more people at home at lesser costs but with higher chances of working onboard any seagoing vessel anywhere in the world with NIMASA CoC.
Nigeria should consider migrating beyond the present near-coastal voyage (NCV) of certification to certifying masters and chief engineers while constantly re existing MoUs.
NIMASA should work towards improving Nigeria’s ship registry to attract more registrations perhaps beginning with the fleet under the Nigerian LNG Limited (NLNG) whose vessels fly foreign flags.
Till date, illegal poaching of fishes and other aquatic products by foreigners flourish on Nigerian waters with little or no control. Over 40% of global Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing occur in Africa out of which the GoG accounts for a sizable portion. Jamoh and NIMASA should be able to capture IUU fishing as a maritime crime under its tripod and explore avenues to curb the menace.
For now, many NSDP training beneficiaries remain without jobs. More opportunities should be created for them and others awaiting seatime when indigenous ship-owners have access to fund ship acquisition.
Maritime Agencies
FRESH ARMS IMPORTATION : Customs Hits Criminal Networks Hard, Intercepts 204 Firearms Routed from Turkey.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Barely two weeks after the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service unveiled 399 pump-action riffles seized by the Tincan Island Port Command, the Service, Monday, showcased another set of 204 firearms concealed in a 20-footer container said to originate from Turkey.
Announcing the latest seizure, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Timi Bomodi who stood in for the Comptroller-General, Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi said the latest seizure became possible with a combination of credible intelligence, sustained surveillance and collaboration with other security agencies.
He told the press that the container numbered TEMU 184536/9 which arrived at the Tincan Island Port on August 16, 2026, aboard the vessel MV Algeciras Express was flagged for examination and subjected to a 100% physical inspection on August 18.
According to the DCG, the firearm components were concealed among declared household and other goods, including furniture, refrigerators, solar panels and detergent.
Arising from the discovery, the NCS Armament Unit worked jointly with experts from the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), under the Office of the National Security Adviser, to assemble the knocked-down components.
The assemblage resulted in the recovery of 204 MAS 49 Alter Magnum pump-action rifles, alongside several leftover firearm components.
The recovered components included 54 barrels, 56 trigger groups, 56 springs, 56 pistol grips, 55 pistol grip screws, 58 locking lugs, 53 charging handles, 39 trigger pins, 38 forward grips, 67 forward-grip latches and two U-plates.
Speaking at the event, DCG Bomodi who heads the Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection Unit at the Customs Headquarters, reiterated that the seizure demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led enforcement and inter-agency collaboration.
He added that the latest interception was another demonstration that the Customs Service is maintaining heightened surveillance against movement of illicit importation of firearms and other prohibited items through Nigeria’s ports and land borders.
The CGC’s representative warned smugglers, arms traffickers and their collaborators that the Customs Service was becoming increasingly difficult to circumvent, stressing that risk management, intelligence, profiling, technology and collaboration among security agencies were being deployed to frustrate illegal importation.
The Service , he explained, would not only focus on the physical seizure of prohibited items but would also pursue the criminal networks behind the consignments.
“Our objective is to expose the entire chain involved in the illicit movement of firearms from the source and shipment to the intended destination and beneficiaries,” he said.
He also urged members of the trading community, particularly clearing agents with information that could assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending persons involved in arms trafficking, to come forward and provide such information as a patriotic duty.
In his intervention,the Zonal Director, South-West Zone, National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, CP Abiodun Alamutu (Rtd.), commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its vigilance and continued partnership with the Centre.
Alamutu noted that the successive interception of illicit firearms highlighted two critical realities: the determination of criminal elements to circumvent Nigeria’s security architecture and the increasing capacity of security agencies, particularly Customs, to frustrate such attempts.
He recalled that only a few weeks back, the Tincan Island Port Command had intercepted and handed over 399 pump-action rifles to the NCCSALW.
According to him, the repeated seizures demonstrated the need for sustained collaboration, effective information sharing and a unified commitment among security agencies.
He assured that the firearms being handed over would be properly registered, secured and managed in accordance with national procedures and international best practices.
Alamutu further pledged the Centre’s continued collaboration with the Customs Service and other sister security agencies to identify and dismantle the criminal networks responsible for the illicit trafficking of arms into Nigeria.
Earlier, the Customs Area Controller, TinCan Island Port Command, welcomed security agencies, senior officers and members of the media to the handover ceremony.
The Controller said the repeated seizures demonstrated that the command remained vigilant and would not become a weak link in the enforcement of import prohibitions, particularly those involving items capable of threatening national security.
He commended the Comptroller-General of Customs for his leadership and support, as well as the NCCSALW for cooperating to identify and assemble the intercepted firearm components.
The Customs Area Controller stressed that the exercise was not merely about the seizure of firearms but about protecting lives, safeguarding national security and ensuring that Nigeria’s seaports remain channels for legitimate trade and economic development rather than conduits for instruments of violence.
DCG Bomodi later handed over the seized firearms and other components to the NCCSALW for further action as per the law.
Maritime Agencies
NAGAFF Suspends Planned Strike As NPA, Maritime Police, DSS Resolve To End Container Blockage.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Following the adoption of three key resolutions aimed at addressing the controversial blockage of containers by the Maritime Police Command at Nigerian ports, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has resolved to suspend her planned industrial action.
The resolutions followed a crucial meeting convened by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Thursday, with representatives of the Maritime Police Command, Department of State Services (DSS), NAGAFF and other relevant stakeholders in attendance to discuss freight forwarders’ long-standing concerns on the matter.
Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, National Coordinator of the NAGAFF 100% Compliance Team, announced the strike suspension in Lagos Friday.
First among the key resolutions is that there should be no blockage of containers by the Maritime Police. The second agreement is that whenever the Maritime Police has a reasonable intel concerning any container in the port, this should be channelled to the Nigeria Customs Service, the appropriate agency statutorily empowered to handle such matters.
Thirdly, in line with continuing efforts to improve trade facilitation and ease of doing business, government agencies maintaining physical presence in the ports must not exceed five.
Alhaji Tanko explained that agencies such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) would, under the new arrangement, show presence in the ports only when invited by relevant agencies to execute specialized interventions in line with their statutory mandate. This is to reduce unnecessary bureaucratic procedures and facilitate easy movement of cargo through the ports.
For customs-related issues, he informed, the meeting agreed that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) should take the lead, while suspected narcotics consignments should be referred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
NAGAFF’s intervention, Tanko clarified, was not aimed at undermining any government agency but to ensure that each agency operates within the sphere of its statutory responsibility while supporting the Federal Government’s ease-of-doing-business agenda.
Tanko who condemned the blockage of containers by the Maritime Police even when such consignments are cleared and released by the Customs said freight forwarders had become increasingly concerned about the delays and additional costs caused by the practice, particularly where containers are blocked without verifiable intel linking them to wrongdoing.
He recalled that NAGAFF had earlier engaged the AIG of the Maritime Police Command, AIG Okunade Ronke Nura on their concerns and the police boss promised to look into the matter.
He strongly condemned sweeping blocking of all containers because one or two consignments are suspected to be laden with undeclared or prohibited goods.
“There is no way you can tell me all the ships and all the manifests are suspected to carry another thing. The whole container coming into the country cannot be under investigation,” he said.
He expressed confidence that reducing the number of agencies physically present at the ports, while allowing specialised agencies to intervene when necessary, would help reduce delays and improve the operating environment for importers, exporters and freight forwarders.
Tanko warned that from next week, NAGAFF would, through her compliance officers, begin monitoring compliance with the resolutions and any container blocked after the August 27 agreement would be treated as a fresh violation and reported to relevant authorities.
“If there is any blockage before that day, they will unblock it. But if there is a blockage after yesterday, it is another issue on its own,” he disclosed.
Tanko also acknowledged that even though freight forwarders had previously directed some complaints to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, the latest engagement had provided greater clarity on the appropriate channel for handling police-related container blockage.
NAGAFF, Tanko assured, would continue to engage relevant government agencies to ensure that diligent implementation of the resolutions result to improved cargo clearance, reduce delays and avail a more efficient operating environment at Nigerian ports.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
As the ongoing controversy on the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) persists, an industry expert has canvassed that only guaranteed cargo and long-term trade contracts would guide shipowners to acquire appropriate vessels, generate revenue from their operations and repay the loan over time.
Capt Ladi Olubowale, foremost ship owner and former chapter president of African Shipowners Association (ASA) stated this, Monday, while speaking as a guest at the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) Roundtable. The success of the CVFF, he posited, should not be measured merely by the amount allocated to individual shipowners, but by the ability of beneficiaries to link vessel acquisition to viable commercial opportunities.
Capt Olubowale, the CEO, Seamate Maritime Integrated Services Ltd, said that a $25 million facility under the CVFF could be sufficient to acquire a sizeable vessel if the financing is tied to identifiable cargo and long-term trade contracts.
Shipping is all about practicality and private sector must be in the frontline, not the government. People should be made to understand what it means to run the business of shipping. When the Minister travels, he must take along stakeholders who have the experience because shipping is a public sector-driven industry.
Olubowale recalled that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) had taken a position that potential beneficiaries from the CVFF would be required to provide about $3.7 million in equity to access financing of up to $25 million, but stressed that the critical consideration should be the trade the vessel would serve.
Nigeria’s maritime industry, he explained, is like a loaded ship waiting for who can sail it to sea.
“NIMASA wants you to bring out $3.7 million in order for you to be able to attract $25 million. They will now look at it in your own case. What trade will you be using that for?” he asked.
Olubowale explained that the $25 million facility should not be considered in isolation as different categories of vessels are designed to serve specific cargo requirements.
He urged the government and industry stakeholders to first identify the volume and nature of cargo available in Nigeria and then match such cargo with the appropriate vessels before approving CVFF financing.
Citing dry cargo, cement and other commodities, he said each trade required vessels specifically suited to its operational needs, warning against financing vessel acquisition without first establishing the commercial demand that would sustain the investment.
The shipowner said a properly structured $25 million facility could enable an operator to acquire a vessel dedicated to a specific trade, particularly where a one- or two-year contract guaranteeing cargo is already in place.
He noted that revenue generated from such contracts could be used to service and repay the financing, thereby making the vessel commercially viable and reducing the risk associated with ship acquisition.
Olubowale further called for the CVFF to be deployed as part of a broader national fleet development strategy rather than being treated solely as a financing scheme for individual shipowners.
According to him, with an estimated $700 million currently available in the fund, Nigeria could develop a national fleet covering various cargo segments if the resources were strategically deployed with the guidance of experienced industry professionals.
“Most of this shipping does not require a big capital. It requires you have a 10 per cent deposit as long as you trade to cover up that money,” he said.
He argued that guaranteed trade would significantly improve the viability of CVFF-backed vessel acquisition and provide a clear repayment structure for lenders.
Olubowale also disclosed that several banks had approached his company regarding the CVFF, with some presenting term sheets detailing financing requirements, equity contributions and other conditions.
He said the development represented a significant shift from previous years when shipowners frequently complained about the prolonged process of accessing the fund.
The shipowner maintained that the priority should now be to ensure that the CVFF delivers measurable economic benefits by expanding Nigeria’s indigenous fleet, creating opportunities for local shipowners and enabling Nigerian operators to capture a greater share of the country’s maritime trade.
FRESH ARMS IMPORTATION : Customs Hits Criminal Networks Hard, Intercepts 204 Firearms Routed from Turkey.
NAGAFF Suspends Planned Strike As NPA, Maritime Police, DSS Resolve To End Container Blockage.
CVFF: Cargo Availability, Trade Contracts Should Determine Ship Acquisition.
MARAN to Honour NAGAFF President, High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi as Patron.
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COUNTDOWN TO 2027 ELECTIONS: Customs Hands Over 399 Seized Rifles To NCCSALW .
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoSeme Customs Arrests 2, Intercepts Explosives, Expired Noodles As Command’s Revenue Hits N19.8bn.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoNAGAFF Tasks Bonded Terminals To Suspend All Illegal Fees Collections, Refund N178m.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoNAGAFF Petitions IGP On Alleged Police Extortion, Harassment At Sea Ports.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoFOU Zone ‘A’ Customs Recovers over N729m Revenue, Intercepts Smuggled Goods Worth N3.24bn.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoKey Industry Stakeholders To Focus on Ports Competitiveness as MARAN Hosts MAMAL.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoNIWA, Private Agency Target Pollution Elimination, Job Creation To Clean Lagos Waterways.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoCOUNTDOWN TO 2027 ELECTIONS: Customs Hands Over 399 Seized Rifles To NCCSALW .
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoNAGAFF Deplores Foreign Domination of Freight Forwarding, Tasks Indigenous Operators to Form Combines.