Senate okays private security operation in Lagos ports – TheNigerialawyer

The Senate on Wednesday approved the operation of the Ocean
Marine Solutions Limited at the Lagos ports.

The Nigerian Ports Authority had in October suspended the
activities of the OMSL, which is providing security at the Secured
Anchorage Area of the Lagos ports.

The NPA had alleged among others that the operation of the
private firm in such sensitive area posed a security threat to the
nation and could be at a great loss to the Federal Government.

The matter was investigated by the Senate Joint Committees on
Marine Transportation, Finance and Navy led by Senator George
Sekibo.

The panel submitted its report on Wednesday at plenary and gave
the operation of the OMSL at the ports a clean bill of health based
on its recommendations.

The Senate ruled that, “since no fraud was found in the
operations of the OMSL and it is operating at no cost to
government, it should be allowed to continue its operation at the
SAA until such a time when a better and more cost-effective system
is put in place by the government.”

The red chamber also said the Nigerian Navy should be properly
funded to enable it to procure needed vessels to clear the over 150
vessels deficit.

It said doing so would enable the navy to carry out their
constitutional responsibilities without over-depending on private
maritime logistics support companies.

However, a member of the joint committee, Senator Ahmed Kaita,
disagreed with the position of his colleagues, insisting that he
did not sign the report presented by Sekibo.

He further warned the Senate against putting the security of the
nation’s territorial waterways in private hands.

Kaita’s argument was, however, punctured by the Minority Leader,
Enyinnaya Abaribe, who noted that the firm was actually doing what
the Nigerian Navy could not do.