Families of Missing Sailors Seek FG’s Intervention
Families of sailors, missing after an accident that involved their tanker; MT Tank and another MT. Elixir, have sent a save -our -soul message to the Federal Government of Nigeria to come to their aid.
In a chat recently, they accused the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) of failing to divulge useful information about the missing ship (MT Elixir).
The families have also urged the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi to query NIMASA for allowing the vessel to sail out of the country despite the incident that claimed one life and eight others still missing.
Speaking in Lagos recently, wife of one of the missing crew member, Mrs. Esther Edoloro lamented that NIMASA is in possession of all necessary information about the ship that sailed away noting that it will be incompetent on the part of the regulatory agency to say it has no document about the ship on Nigerian waters.
“I don’t even know what NIMASA is doing in this matter honestly. To me, they may have collected bribe from the other vessel MT Elixir because I don’t see any reason why they will just release the other ves- sel without even giving us concrete information about it”.
“Even my lawyer has been asking them for the information, they refused to give any about the other company, which is not supposed to be. They are supposed to carry us along because this is human life we are talking about for the past three months, “she said.
She further explained: “My lawyer has served NIMASA two papers before and the one he is going to serve them on (last) Monday will be the third one”.
“No response yet despite all the papers he has served them.”
She however expressed confidence in the Amaechi administration and urged him to look into matter with a view to finding out why NIMASA is hoarding such vital information.
“At least with his help, I believe NIMASA will bring out all the information about the other vessel because I believe that whichever vessel that is coming into Nigeria water, NIMASA has their records, “she added.
Meanwhile, in a telephone chat, the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, NIMASA, Ms. Lami Tumaka said that lawyers to all concerned parties are meeting on the way forward.