NIMASA blames EFCC litigation as Global West gun boat sinks in Lagos

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reacted to the sinking of a security patrol boat in the Lagos waters last weekend saying that litigation issues surrounding the vessel and others with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prevented it from taking over the assets.

The vessel named NIMASA/ Barugu is one of the 25 purchased on behalf of NIMASA by Global West Vessel Specialist (GWVSNL), for the patrol of the nation’s waters.

A video of the sinking vessel had surfaced online at the weekend with some seafarers onboard adjoining vessel blaming the incident on negligence by NIMASA.

According to one of the seafarers, “We have been warning relevant authorities for the past two months about the state of the vessels owned under the Global West-NIMASA security arrangement. These vessels are out of class and might start sinking anytime from now.

“Today, NIMASA-Barugu has gone down and we don’t know which one will follow next. Two of these vessels are still in Lagos waters while others are in Warri.”

But reacting to the development, Assistant Director Public Relations, NIMASA, Osagie Edward in a statement said efforts were made towards reactivating few of the serviceable boats in the fleet but was constrained by the legal encumbrances as the vessels have been under the custody of the EFCC for years.

Describing the incident as unfortunate, Osagie clarified that the vessel was not in NIMASA’s jetty and under the agency’s management when the incident occurred noting that the crew onboard also does not report to NIMASA but to Global West management.

“While this is an unfortunate development, it is important to bring to the attention of all that this vessel under reference here is one of Global West boats that were in service with the Agency years ago.

“This boat has the name NIMASA-Barugu right from the days of the contract. There are also other boats in this contractual category in Warri.

“Collectively, the boats and their management have remained a subject of litigation and under the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for years.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it is on record that NIMASA recently made concerted efforts towards reactivating few of the serviceable boats in this fleet but was constrained by the legal encumbrances due to the nature of the case in court. As a law-abiding entity, we approached the matter under sound legal advisory.

“Finally, it must be stated that this vessel was not in our jetty and under our management at the time of the incident. The crew onboard does not report to NIMASA but to Global West management, its owners.

“NIMASA remains committed to her statutory responsibility of administering safety and regulating the industry within the ambit of every lawful framework,” he said.