Expert Tasks NPA, NIMASA On Ports Security

A maritime expert, Mr Ola Ak insoji, has urged the Nigerian
Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety
Agency (NIMASA) to collaborate to maintain security at the ports.

Akinsoji made the call in Lagos, in an interview with our
correspondent.

He also urged the two organisations to unite all the
security agencies at the ports — the NPA’s Police, the regular Police, the Navy
and NIMASA’s operatives in order to secure Nigerian ports.

“Government must harmonise these things; in harmonising
them, government will optimise equipment, train them; they will now have
national orientation and know that they are working for one country and not for
their bosses, their companies or organisations.

“You will also conserve funds and you will have
orderliness,’’ he said.

Akinsoji advised the Federal Government to engage retired
naval officers as security men on ships to ensure their safety.

He said that the combination of retired naval officers and
other security agencies at the ports would be akin to Nigeria’s Coast Guard to
reduce security problems on the nation’s waters.

“Those who are in the marines will now form an organisation
that will be called Coast Guard.

“They will have knowledge of Customs; they will have
knowledge of Immigration; they will have enough knowledge of how to deal with
all maritime matters,” he added.

The maritime expert said that the proposed Piracy Bill to be
sent to the National Assembly would mark the beginning of the development of
the sector in the country.