NIGERIAN TRIBUNE - Maritime

Govt inaugurates board to investigate accident on ship Dele Aderibigbe, Lagos Okechukwu Emeka, Minister of State for TransportTHE Central Government has inaugurated a marine board to investigate the fire incident on board a Panamanian Flag Ship, the MT Golden Lucy which occurred in Port Harcourt in January this year, discharging gasoline. A Chief Magistrate of a Port Harcourt court, Mrs. Rosemary Ibanibo, heads the board. The Minister of State, Water Transport, Prince John Okechukwu Emeka, who inaugurated the board on behalf of the Federal Government in Abuja said the gesture was a part of the present administration’s commitment to a zero tolerance level for accidents in the country. Reiterating his commitment to a repositioned maritime sector where productivity, efficient services would be the watchwords. Prince Emeka said the board would go beyond the superficial in the course of its investigations to ensure encompassing recommendations, which could assist the government, forestall another recurrence. “Marine Board is one of the avenues of services I have selected to gauge the efficiency of our shipping. During the investigation, the roles of ship-owners, agents, master, officers, crew, safety administration, cargo and other interests must come into focus as the report will form the basis of Government White Paper on the management of Safety. “A copy will be sent to the Secretary–General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London” he said further indicating that the objective was to enhance maritime safety of shipping and restore transparency and confidence in the country’s maritime industry. In his opening remarks, the Director, Maritime Services, DMS, of the Ministry, Alhaji Umar Faruk, noted that the delay in constituting the body was to underscore the importance that government attached to it, highlighting that government felt it needed some time to ensure due diligence as well as satisfy the need that only competent persons were chosen to handle the important assignment. The marine board, which will be in Port-Harcourt, or any other venue as provided by the Director-General of the Nigeria Maritime Safety and Administration agency (NIMASA), is a one-man Court of summary jurisdiction whose sole member is the President of the board. Two assessors (nautical and marine engineers) will however assist the President in the interpretation of professional matters. A Secretary will also assist in the documentation while a prosecutor will lead the witnesses that appear before the Board. Mrs. P.G. Bajoga of the Federal Ministry of Transportation will serve as the Secretary.

House committee delighted by investment at Onne Port Dele Aderibigbe, Lagos Ade Dosunmu, DG, NIMASATHE integrated ser vice giant, Intels Nigeria, may have worked itself into the good books of the Federal House of Representative Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation as the committee on an over-sight functions issued it clean bill of health. The Committee Chairman, Ahmed Golla, in fact, said the members of the team were “impressively shocked” by the level of Intels investment on ground, at the Onne Port. “I am impressed on the level of development Intels has brought and most importantly the type of investors Intels was able to convince to come and invest here; it has gone a long way to increase opportunities in the region” Golla said, speaking to newsmen after a comprehensive fact finding tour. Expressing his genuine admiration at the presentations by NPA, BPE and Intels among other concessionaires, the Chairman the committee was satisfied with everything he saw, and urged them to continue in the same positive direction assuring them the National Assembly would support every well-intentioned gestures by all and sundry. Earlier during his presentation, the General Manager, Special Duties of Intels, Damir Miskovic delivering “An overview of Onne Port: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” noted that about eight thousand jobs have been created directly by Intels and 20,000 jobs indirectly through investments by related companies offering ancilliary services. He added that with the current concession regime, Intels has remained committed to its part of the agreement between BPE, NPA and Intels, as well as ensure the certification of its concessioned areas with the International code for the security of ships and port facilities (ISPS Code). A member of the committee expressing personal views said it was good they came for themselves to see and verify the truths or fallacies of some of what they had heard, re-affirming that without being “presumptuous” of their final decisions, he was sincerely impressed.
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Govt inaugurates board to investigate accident on ship

House committee delighted by investment at Onne Port