When NIMASA gave APC 72-hour ultimatum in Lagos

The political atmosphere is getting hotter by the day. Certain utterances are being made which are said in some quarters to have incurred the wrath of some others. It was against this backdrop that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) recently raised eyebrows over an allegation by the All Progressive Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) which the agency considered indicting and capable of tarnishing its good image. At a media conference a few days ago, NIMASA handed a 72-hour ultimatum to APC to retract all the “malicious allegations” against the agency or face legal action.

“In recent times, attempts have been made by APCPCO and some misguided individuals to impugn the integrity of the NIMASA and its management. The vicious campaign is intended to cast aspersions on the activities and integrity of NIMASA as a responsible corporate entity of government,” said Patrick Akpobolokemi, director-general of the agency. According to him, “NIMASA will follow due process to make its demands known to APC and if they refuse to comply, the agency will follow every legal and legitimate means of seeking redress to challenge APC.” The NIMASA boss, further stated that the at- tempts consist of a trail of mischievous representations and blatant lies, orchestrated by APC to discredit the giant and monumental strides President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has achieved through NIMASA and other agencies in the Maritime Sector. “In the process, important issues of state have been trivialised on the al- tar of political grandstanding at the expense of the unity of our dear country,
Nigeria,” he said, adding, “It must be echoed for record purposes that NIMASA is not a political party. We are a responsible government agency trying our best to fulfil the mandate setting us up as an organisation.

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We will not, therefore, be dragged into malicious politicking of our accusers, neither would we be intimidated into not parading our achievements nor shy away from our core responsibilities.” Listing the allegations, the NIMASA boss said APC described the agency as the President’s ATM and also labelled NIMASA as the sponsors of hate campaigns against the APC Presidential candidate. “Prominent among the falsehood perpetrated by APC against NIMASA is the allegation that the agency contracted the country’s maritime security to a private firm they claimed was owned by Tompolo. This accusation is false,” he said. The agency, Akpobolokemi stated, entered into a partnership with a competent Nigerian Maritime company known as Global West Vessels Specialist Limited (GWSVSL) to provide its platforms to patrol the coastline. “This PPP arrangement has made it possible for the Agency to provide suitable platforms to the relevant security agencies collaborating with us to fight piracy and other sundry security breaches in our waters. Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) has been signed and are being implemented between the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Air Force and the NIMASA.” He stated that contrary to the widespread speculation, Global West did not buy warships for NIMASA, but routine operational vessels with which the Nigerian Navy and the Agency collectively have successfully carried out the Agency’s mandate as well as tracked, interdicted and arrested vessels engaged in criminal activities in Nigerian waters.