Mr Emmanuel Maiguwa (left) and MARAN President, Godfrey Bivbere
BY GODWIN OBI
Seafarers are increasingly bearing the brunt of the growing challenges posed by drug smuggling and stowaways on ships navigating Nigerian waters. With these issues disrupting operations and creating legal and personal hardships for crew members, the upcoming maritime summit organized by the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) and the Alumni of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO), aims to address these pressing concerns.
The event, which has garnered international attention with the confirmation of attendance from the United States and France Embassies, will be chaired by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Gboyega Oyetola, and is scheduled for August 22nd, 2024, at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
During a press conference at the Maritime Reporter’s Association of Nigeria (MARAN) secretariat on Friday, Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa, Chairman of the AMANO/MASPAN Planning Committee, highlighted the significant impact these issues are having on seafarers. “Ships have been detained for several months while their crew were placed on trial and forced to remain without seeing their families for years in cases of drug smuggling,” Maiguwa stated, emphasizing the toll this takes on the personal and professional lives of seafarers.
Stowaways, particularly in Lagos ports, present another persistent problem. “When stowaways are discovered before a vessel’s departure, it causes delays, but when they are not found until after departure, the situation becomes even more complex. Shipowners face significant burdens due to the complicated administrative protocols required to handle these cases,” Maiguwa explained.
These challenges underscore the urgent need for solutions that protect seafarers from the unintended consequences of criminal activities that occur aboard their vessels. The summit seeks to bring together stakeholders to develop practical strategies that address these issues while ensuring that innocent parties, particularly the hardworking seafarers, are not penalized.
Maiguwa stressed the importance of aligning with critical agencies to reduce, if not eradicate, drug smuggling and human trafficking in the maritime domain. “The goal is to ensure that perpetrators are penalized without the maritime industry and its workforce paying the price, allowing the sector to reach its full growth potential,” he said.
The summit will also feature participation from the National Drugs and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which plays a crucial role in the fight against narcotics in Nigeria, alongside international and local shipping companies. These discussions aim to create a safer and more secure working environment for seafarers while safeguarding the maritime industry’s growth.
As the event is by invitation only, organizers urged interested stakeholders to contact the Planning Committee to secure their participation and contribute to the critical dialogue on protecting seafarers and improving maritime safety.
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2024-08-15