By Steve Agbota & Henry Uche
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has given assurances to safeguard the marine and blue economy of Nigeria, with the collaboration of other critical stakeholders.
At a confab put together by Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) and the Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO), the minister who was the chairman of the occasion but represented by the Director, Marine Environment Management, NIMASA, Mr. Heaky Dimowo, decried recent trends which indicated a troubling increase in maritime threats, particularly those related to drugs and human trafficking.
“These activities are not merely criminal acts; they erode our social fabric, destabilize communities and challenge our law enforcement at sea. Moreover, they pose significant risk to maritime and security of seafarers and vessels. We must confront the fact that our waters are increasingly viewed as a transit route to illicit activities.
“It is essential that we develop comprehensive strategies to address these evolving threats by leveraging technological innovations, enhancing our intelligence capabilities and fostering collaboration among critical stakeholders. Together, we can develop multifaceted responses that effectively combat these challenges,” Oyetola said.
The Minister emphasized the need for training and capacity building to improve maritime security. He called for the harnessing and integration of knowledge gained into national strategies that advocate policies, promotion of sustainable practices and prioritization of training of personnel in Maritime Law enforcement and security measures.
“It is time to align our interest and resources towards a common goal, safe and secure Maritime domain for all Nigeria seafarers and vessels. Together we can create a safer and more prosperous Maritime environment that will foster growth and promote a sustainable blue economy,” he added.
At the session, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was urged to review its stance on drug bursts onboard ships as shipowners in most drug bursts do not have any connection to the importation of the drugs.
This was canvassed in a paper presented by Mr Suresh Prabhakar, Director (Operations), Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, Hong Kong.
Mr Suresh in his presentation said that from February 2021 to July 2024, a troubling trend emerged in Lagos, Nigeria, as four bulk carriers laden with sugar from Santos, Brazil, became embroiled in drug-related incidents that have had far-reaching consequences for both the ship owners and the crewmembers.
Each of these ships was found to have significant quantities of cocaine on board, ranging from 18 to 43 kilograms, leading to prolonged detentions by the NDLEA.
According to him, each ship faced delays of four to six months while investigations were carried out, only to be released after the owners posted substantial bonds, ranging from $2 to $5 million, and such delays are not good for the economy.
He said that on average, 10 crewmembers per ship were detained, and their bail was set at $40,000 per person, allowing them to stay in a hotel instead of a detention facility. However, this bail money, totaling $400,000 for 10 crewmembers did little to alleviate the psychological and emotional toll of their extended detention.
He maintained that the situation has been particularly dire for crewmembers on two of the ships, who were detained for approximately 20 months before being released after numerous court hearings. For the remaining two ships, the crewmembers are still detained in Lagos, with their court cases ongoing.
Shockingly, Mr Suresh said one crewmember has been in detention for 34 months, while the other has endured 13 months of confinement. “The mental and physical scars such incidents leave on crewmembers and their families are immense,” a maritime industry insider commented. “Careers are often destroyed, leaving many families in severe financial and emotional distress.
“The financial burden on ship owners is also significant. Beyond the bonds and legal costs, they must cover the crew’s salaries and the upkeep of their families during these extended detentions. The impact on the industry is profound, as owners are forced to reconsider trade routes to avoid the risk of similar incidents.
“Such cases adversely impact the ability of ship owners to engage in such trades,” the insider added. “Several owners and operators are now choosing alternative trade routes.”
Suresh stated that given the significant risks of drug smuggling on board ships and the challenges faced by crews and ship owners, there are growing calls for the NDLEA to reconsider its stance.
“It would be prudent for the NDLEA to adopt similar practical measures as in the USA, Europe, and Brazil. This would prevent unnecessary delays for ships and crews when drugs are found on board, as the consequences for them are very dire” he said
The conference brought together over 300 key stakeholders, including ship owners, operators, seafarers, policymakers, lawyers, law enforcement agencies, international partners and regulatory agencies.