- Levies imposed because of piracy, kidnappings and other maritime crimes in Nigeria, Gulf of Guinea waters
The Director General of Nigerian Maritime Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Jamoh Bashir, is seeking the removal of the excessive War Risk Insurance and Insecurity fees slammed on vessels coming to Nigeria.
The levies were imposed because of piracy, kidnappings and other maritime crimes in Nigeria, Gulf of Guinea waters.
Dr Bashir Jamoh, who spoke in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, through his Special Adviser on Media, Ubong Essien, regretted that despite the reduction in criminal activities in Nigeria’s maritime domain, Nigerian bound vessels still pay high War Insurance/Security fees.
He expressed sadness that the higher fees have persisted despite huge improvements in security in Nigeria waters.
“It is sad that the War Risk Insurance fees slammed on vessels coming to Nigeria are still high for the sake of insecurity. It is also sad that this has persisted despite huge improvements in security in Nigeria’s waters. We are all paying the price for it. When goods enter the country, the higher cost in shipping and insurance will drive the cost up.
“The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has admitted that the attacks have drastically dropped as never before in decades. What baffles the NIMASA management is that the reduction in attacks has been admitted by the IMB but the WRI is still in place.
“It’s a punitive insurance measure. The DG has gone to three international meetings where he has been making demands and appeals for removal of War Risk Insurance,” he said.