How NPA’s Amended Safety Regulation Exposed OMS Limited
A committee report has revealed that the amendment of the British Admiralty Chart 1381 by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) was instrumental in nailing the Secured Anchorage Area (SAA) being operated on behalf of the Navy by OMS Limited.
This followed a revelation that the Nigerian Navy in collaboration with the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) had published the SAA in its admiralty chart No.1381 of Lagos Ports, indicating that the anchorage being operated by the NPA was ill-equipped, thereby giving an impression that it was not secured. This, then forced the NPA to amend the British Admiralty Chart 1381.
The development was contained in a document in response to a petition presented before the
National Assembly by a group named Association of Professionals for Safety in Shipping in Nigeria (APOSSIN) over NPA’s position on the SAA exclusively obtained by THISDAY.
The UKHO claims according to the document, was contrary to the assessment of the same facility by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which commended NPA for the standard of facilities and security at the location.
According to the document, “Sequel to investigation conducted, NPA found out that the said SAA was authorised by NIMASA who published a Marine Notice on the existence of the SAA as an Additional Security Service Facilities for the provision of dedicated 24/7 watch to vessels seeking extra protection while at the anchorage offshore Lagos. Furthermore, the Authority found that the Nigerian Navy in collaboration with the UKHO published the SAA in its Admiralty chart No.1381 of Lagos Ports Limits & Approaches dated 10th March 2011.
“The authority also observed that some false information in the charts indicated that the Anchorage being operated by the Authority is was ill-equipped, thereby giving an impression that it is not secured. This is contrary to the assessment of the same facility by the IMO, which commended NPA for the standard of facilities and security at the location.
“It is pertinent to state that without prejudice to the powers of the Nigeria Navy, delineation of an anchorage area is the responsibility of the NPA. In addition, publication of Notices to Mariners on vessels calling at the Nigerian Ports as regard the port limits and approaches is the responsibility of NPA and not NIMASA.
“It is in the light of the above observations, coupled with high cost for vessels coming to Nigeria arising from the exorbitant charges being collected by the OMSL that the NPA vide its letters reference dated 24th October 2017 and 25th October 2016 respectively sought the intervention of the Honorable Minister of Transportation to dismantle the facility.”
Responding to issues raised by APOSSIN in its petition, the NPA in the document said it did not in any way interfere with the functions of the Nigerian Navy.
“The mandate of the Nigerian