By Anthony Nwachukwu
In a development that confirms the improved global rating of security in the Nigerian maritime domain, the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) has removed Nigeria from the list of countries designated as risk maritime nations.
This follows the sustained collaborative efforts of the relevant government stakeholders, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Navy.
IBF, which brings together the International Transport Federation (ITF) and the international maritime employers that comprise the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG), listed five designated risk areas and applicable benefits in the event of attacks leading to deaths and disability.
According to the body, the Gulf of Guinea is second extended war risk zone, covering Liberia/Cote d’Ivoire border to 00°N 005°E, to the Angola/Namibia border.
Meanwhile, the 2023 IBF list called for double compensation for seafarers who die or suffer disability on the date of attack on vessels in the Gulf of Guinea.
Reacting to the IBF report, NIMASA Director-General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said it was a landmark achievement under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“This achievement is a product of a well-structured multimodal policy which has been implemented over the years to fight piracy and other criminalities in Nigerian waters,” he said.
According to him, these included the legal instrument (SPOMO Act) signed into law in 2019, the full implementation of the Deep Blue Project by NIMASA, expanded assets and capacity of the Nigerian Navy, enhanced cooperation between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy, and regional collaboration under SHADE Gulf of Guinea, midwifed by NIMASA.
“The benefits (of all these policies) are gradually coming to fruition. We are focused on ultimately improving and reducing the cost of commercial shipping in Nigeria,” he added.
In past months, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) had commended the reduction in piracy in Nigeria following enhanced patrol and relevant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NIMASA and other security agencies.
