By Innocent Anaba
In a bid to assist the Federal Government and security agencies in tackling issues of sea piracy and illegal oil bunkering along the waterways, the Tugboat, Fuel Barges, and Seagoing Vessel Association of Nigeria has called for the immediate censorship, verification, and stricter control of all marine vessels and craft operating within Nigerian waters and inland waterways.
The Tugboat, Fuel Barges, and Seagoing Vessel Association of Nigeria also known as TUBAVS, said the body serves as a unified voice and advocacy group for maritime operators in the country’s marine industry, focusing on marine operations, safety standards, and professional networking.
In a statement, yesterday, by its Legal Adviser,Tonye Wilson, it called for censorship by all seagoing vessel and craft, including tankers, barges, tugboats, fishing vessels, workboats, houseboats, service boats, landing craft, patrol craft, and any vessel engaged in fuel transport, storage, or ship-to-ship (STS), to combat illegal bunkering.
He said: “In view of rising incidents of illegal bunkering and its impact on national security, revenue, safety, and the marine environment, the Union hereby issues n a t i o n w i d edirective for the immediate censorship, verification, and stricter control of all marine vessels and craft operating within Nigerian waters and inland waterways, pursuant to relevant session of theSuppression of Piracy And Other Maritime Offences Act 2019 Scope.”
