By Godwin Oritse

IN a bid to increase security standard at the ports, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has threatened to sanction port facilities that refuses to collect their Certificate of Compliance.

NIMASA is the designated authority in charge of the implementation of the International Ships and Ports Security, ISPS, code.

It said that failure on the part of any facility to collect its Certificate of Compliance means that such facility is operating illegally.

Speaking at the monthly meeting of the Port Facility Security Officers, PFSO Forum,  Mr. Charles Odimiri, an officer of the ISPS Unit of NIMASA expressed disappointment over    the late collection of    Compliance Certificates by terminals and facilities.

“Failure to collect the SOC (Statement of Compliance) on or before 31st  of March, 2018 would subsequently attract a fine against the concerned Terminal or Facility, as they may be assumed to be operating illegally without the relevant empowerment document,” he said

Meanwhile, the Forum has lamented the porous nature of Nigeria’s waterfronts noting that it needs the patrol interventions of NIMASA and the Nigerian Ports Authority.

The Chairman of the forum, Dr Ignatius Uche , appealed to NIMASA    to facilitate the establishment of a Maritime Security Trust Fund (MSTF) that could assist in the funding of security operations in the industry.

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