Vincent Toritseju
09 March 2018, Sweetcrude, Lagos — FOLLOWING the porous state of security on the nation’s coastal and territorial waters, the Port Facility Security Officers, PFSO, Forum yesterday called on the Federal Government to increase the security currently being provided for the ‘M.T. Egina’ with a view to protecting the investment of the facility.
Speaking at the Forum’s monthly meeting held at the Rockview Hotel in Apapa, Lagos, its Chairman, Mr. Ignatius Uche said that the investment on the Egina is too much to left without adequate security arrangement.
Uche suggested that a Maritime Security Fund should be established to ensure the provision of adequate and proper security of investments like the Egina.
He explained that the Fund could also be extended to other prime investment in both the maritime, oil and gas industries.
He suggested that if every stakeholder contributes as little as N1,000 on a monthly basis, it will go a long way in building such Fund.
He commended the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics, LADOL base in Lagos for hosting the Egina in its base and providing the needed security.
“The Forum is very concerned about the security of the Egina because this is an investment the country cannot afford to toy with.
“I also think that the establishment of a maritime security fund will go a long way to take care of the Egina and every other investment in the maritime industry.” He said.
Similarly, the Forum also called the designated Authority, (Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency) to accommodate it on its website so that stakeholders can have easy access to the group.