Global West boat under EFCC custody sinks in Lagos

By onepageafrica Last updated Apr 4, 2022

A boat belonging to Global West Company but under the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Sunday sank in Lagos.

Disclosing this in a statement, Mr. Edward Osagie, Spokesman of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said that the vessel was one of the company’s platforms engaged some years ago by the Agency.

Osagie disclosed that the boat named NIMASA Barugu and its management had been under litigation while its crew doe not report to NIMASA.

The Agency made this clarification owing to a shared video showing the sinking boat while some crew complained that they did not get support to rescue the boat a long time ago when they made reports to the Agency.

NIMASA, however, said it had to approach the issue with strong legal advisory.

The statement reads: “While this is an unfortunate development, it is important to bring to the attention of all that this vessel under reference here is one of Global West boats that were in service with the Agency years ago.

“This boat has the name NIMASA-Barugu right from the days of the contract. There are also other boats in this contractual category in Warri.

“Collectively, the boats and their management have remained a subject of litigation and under the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for years.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it is on record that NIMASA recently made concerted efforts towards reactivating a few of the serviceable boats in this fleet but was constrained by the legal encumbrances due to the nature of the case in court. As a law-abiding entity, we approached the matter under sound legal advisory.

“Finally, it must be stated that this vessel was not in our jetty and under our management at the time of the incident. The crew onboard does not report to NIMASA but to Global West management, its owners.

“NIMASA remains committed to her statutory responsibility of administering safety and regulating the industry within the ambit of every lawful framework.”