By Gift Samuel, The Sight News
Abuja-The Minister of Transportation Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has on Tuesday received reports of the Marine Board of Inquiry on the accidents involving ‘MV NIKI C’ and a motor tanker ‘MT CHARON’ and ‘MT ELIXIR’ and ‘MT TANK’.
The report which was submitted by the President of the Marine Board of Inquiry, Chief Magistrate (Mrs) Adebisi Femi-Segun was received unbehalf of the Minister by the Director, Maritime Safety and Security, Mal. A. Dauda.
The Minister after receiving the report, thanked the Board of Inquiry for the accomplishments within the time frame and assured that the highlight of the report will be given further necessary actions.
Earlier, President of the Board of Inquiry who was represented by the Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Swanta, said that the board was saddled with the responsibility of carrying out investigation into two distinct incidents which are the collision between a Greek flagged bulk carrier ‘MV NIKI C’ and a motor tanker ‘MT CHARON’ which occurred on December 21, 2013 at Lagos and the incident involving ‘MT ELIXIR and ‘MT TANK’ which occurred on the 19th of October 2015 along the Bonga Terminal (FPSO) Warrior, Delta State.
Femi-Segun noted that the board was given the terms of reference which includes; “To investigate and establish the circumstances that led to the reported accidents; to investigate and establish the owners and chatterers of the vessels and those who may have connection with the vessels;
“To identify and cross examine the crew members on board the vessels at the time of the incidents with a view to establishing the cause(s) of the incidents and circumstances; investigate and establish the actual crew members on board the days the incidents occurred with a view to determining the veracity of the report on the dead persons.
“To assess the compliance of such vessels with standard prescribed by the Port State Control and ISPS Codes as at the time of the incidents; to recommend appropriate measures that need to be put in place to avert any reoccurrence of similar incidents; and any other matter that may arise during the course of the investigation” she stated.
While noting that the task was enormous based on the magnitude of the incidents and the limited time, she however said that the challenges were surmounted with the support of the Ministry and stakeholders.
The 9-Man board members includes, Chief Magistrate(Mrs) Adebisi O.Femi-Segun as President; Mr. Emmanuel Ibrahim Swanta as Secretary; Mr Philip Akinfemide-FMOT as member; Engr. Omotayo Shogo-FMOT as member;
Others are; Capt. Oboma David-NIMASA as member; Engr Benson Aja-Ukpabi -NIMASA as member; Capt. Daniel Hosea -NPA as Member; Pilot Rasheed Popoola-NPA as member and Barr. Nicholas O. Anya as member.
