NPA laments over the activities of sea pirates, kidnappers in Nigeria

By Ene Ene , Calabar

The Nigeria Ports Authority, on Thursday, explained that the activities of sea pirates, kidnappers have played a major role in casting doubt in the minds of international key players in the maritime industry .

NPA however, canvassed for strategic synergy among maritime stakeholders in the country to ensure effective and efficient port operations.

The Manager of Calabar Port, Olumati Festus, made this known during a public lecture delivered at the Senate chambers of the University of Calabar.

He stated that the establishment of federal ministry of Blue Economy by the present administration has placed enormous task on the shoulders of maritime stakeholders in ensuring that they pull their resources together and strategies to boost activities of the ministry to deliver on it’s mandate.

The lecture theme; ‘Promoting Safety in Maritime Industries, Pollution Prevention and fire Safety’ was organized by the department of oceanography, University of calabar.

He stressed that without proper synergy among the various maritime stakeholders, the ministry would find it difficult to function efficiently.

Olumati said “with collaboration of maritime security Stakeholders and management of Port Authority vessels cruising to and fro the water channel can deliver their goods and services without obstruction from sea pirates, kidnappers and other sea crimes disturbing maritime activities.

“This is why we are calling for collaboration of maritime security Stakeholders and management of Nigeria Port Authority to ensure that vessels passing through our water ways delivery goods and services without hitch.”. He maintained.

The Port manager stressed the need for the safety of vessels, personnel and other strategic components of the sector, adding that no financial institution and insurance firms would guarantee letters of credit for exporters and importers whose businesses are sites at destinations prone to the nefarious activities of anti maritime actors,

Olumati, however lauded the Nigerian navy and the marine police for their tireless efforts in ensuring that the waterways boundaries are safe for international trade to thrive.