How Senate Considered the Report Investigating Illegal Security Activities by Ocean Marine Solution Limited

By Simeon OSAJIE

Recently, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, was via a live TV programme passing a wrong message to the world about the deal involving Ocean Marine Solutions Limited(OMSL) at the Secure Anchorage Area(SAA) of Lagos Ports.

Popular Points News has in its possession a letter from the National Assembly signed by its then Clerk, Sani Omolori, to Captain Hosa Okunbo, chairman of Ocean Marine Solutions Limited(OMSL), which absolved the outfit of any illegal activity.

Social Crusader, Patrick Eholor, stated that Amaechi in his outburst must have been blinded by other sinister considerations. 

"From all indications there is no way that he (Amaechi) would not have been informed of the senate resolution of December 2019 that absolved Ocean Marine Solutions Limited before his appearance on national TV about seven months after when he exhibited his jealousy towards the company.

REPORTS OF THE INVESTIGATION OF THE ILLEGAL SECURITY ACTIVITIES BY OCEAN MARINE SOLUTIONS LIMITED (OMSL) AT THE SECURE ANCHORAGE AREA (SAA) OF LAGOS PORTS

The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at its sitting of Wednesday, 18th December, 2019, considered the Report on the Investigation of the Illegal Security Activities by Ocean Marine Solutions Limited(OMSL) at the Secure Anchorage Area SAA of Lagos Ports and consequently resolved as follows:

i. That the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Ports Authority and NIMASA should be commended for initiating and implementing a process that led to the provision of enhanced and advanced maritime security in the Secured Anchorage Area (SAA) in the Lagos waters in 2013 that has led in checkmating the high rate of attacks on vessels waiting to berth at the Lagos Ports.

ii. That Ocean Marine Solutions Limited (OMSL) should be commended for its genuine national interests in investing over Four Hundred Million Dollars($400,000,000) into the Security at the Secured Anchorage Area (SAA) in particular and the Nigerian waterways in general by providing the needed platforms and logistics for the Nigerian Navy to effectively perform 24/7/365 patrol operations as well as to provide the required protection for vessels waiting to berth at the Lagos Ports.

iii. That since no fraud is found in the operations of the OMSL and it's operating at no cost to Government, OMSL should be allowed to continue its operation at the SAA until such time when a better and more cost-effective system is put in place by the Government; and 

iv. That the Nigerian Navy should be properly funded to enable it procure needed vessels to clear the over One Hundred and Fifty(150) vessels deficit to enable them carry out their constitutional responsibilities without over depending on Private Marine Logistics Support Companies(PMLSC).

2. This letter conveys the Senate Resolutions to you for necessary action.

3. Attached is the relevant Votes and Proceedings for your information and guidance.

4. Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.