NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola (second left) flanked by the Executive Directors of the Agency at the interactive session with the Media
The Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola
has disclosed that his Agency will not support any plans to set up any National Carrier Shipping line that would be owned by government but will rather encourage private Nigerian ship owners to acquire vessels and must fly the Nigerian flags.
Speaking during his maiden engagement with maritime journalists in Lagos, on Monday, the DG disclosed that the country’s Designated Authority is currently rallying the support of multi -lateral agencies including the United Nations and indeed the global shipping stakeholders towards ending the war Risk Insurance Premium imposed on vessels coming to Nigeria ports
NIMASA boss also disclosed that the Agency under his watch is working towards boosting the country’s indigenous fleet while also encouraging other foreign ship owners to fly the country’s flag, adding that everything would be done to automate the country’s ship registry to make it attractive to foreign liners.
On the menace of Extra War Risk Insurance (EWRI) levied on Nigeria, the NIMASA boss asserted that a powerful cartel within the international insurance sector is behind the high war EWRI premiums charged on Nigerian-bound cargoes.
He lamented that despite a significant reduction in piracy and sea robbery incidents in Nigerian waters, the persisting premium has continued to add to the cost of trade for Nigeria.
In his words, “One of the points I raised during my recent visit to Chatham House is how the war risk insurance placed on Nigerian-bound cargoes can be reduced. It is a cartel that is behind the war risk insurance premium. They are making so much money from it and will rather keep it as it is than remove it.”
He stated that the NIMASA has commenced wide range of consultations with strategic global shipping stakeholders including the UN with a view to ending the controversial insurance premium on the country’s shipments.
Mobereola noted that the cartel behind the premium might not easily give in unless very serious pressure is mounted on the cartel, which is why the agency is currently rallying for global support.
He disclosed that Nigeria cannot successfully challenge the insurers alone, but with the support of international maritime organizations and the United Nations, the country can push for a reduction in premiums in line with actual risk.
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