12 June 2014, Lagos – The U.S. Government on Thursday imposed “Conditions of Entry (COE)’’ on vessels originating or calling from Nigerian ports.
The U.S. Mission in Nigeria said in a statement that it was henceforth, required that Nigerian vessels met certain security measures before entering U.S. ports.
The statement said that only 22 Nigerian port facilities would be exempted from the COE.
“The United States Government has imposed Conditions of Entry on vessels originating or calling from Nigerian ports.
“This requires these Nigerian vessels to meet certain security measures prior to entering U.S. ports.
“ Twenty two port facilities in Nigeria are however, exempted from the COE as they have been found to have adequate security measures in place,’’ it said.
The statement said that the 22 port facilities had demonstrated effective anti-terrorism measures and would no longer be subjected to additional security precautions.
It, however, said that the COE was not meant as trade sanctions or ban on Nigerian ships from entering U.S. ports.
The statement added that COE was also to make Nigerian ships to have additional security measures while non-exempt Nigerian port facilities were to be verified by the U.S. Coast Guard.
“The U.S. Coast Guard has worked cooperatively with the Government of Nigeria to identify and address port security deficiencies observed during the assessments.
“Nigerian ports have not fully implemented the provisions of the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code and do not have effective anti-terrorism measures in place.
“Only 22 Nigerian port facilities have demonstrated effective anti-terrorism measures and will not be subject to additional security precautions,’’ it said.
The statement said that the U.S. Coast Guard would continue to consult with the Nigerian Government in achieving full ISPS Code compliance and removal of the COE.
– NAN
