NAN-HE-4
Stowaway
By Uche Eletuo
Lagos, Jan. 13, 2017 (NAN) A Port Security Expert, Mr Ikechukwu Uche and a maritime lawyer Mr Osuala Emma-Nwagbara, have advised the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to champion a campaign to discourage stowaways.
They gave the advice in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
The duo, said that as industry regulator, the council, ought to widen its enlightenment to the larger public to dissuade persons from being involved in stowing away.
NAN reports that, the Nigerian Navy in December, alerted Nigerians on recent increase in stowaways boarding merchant vessels.
Uche told NAN that like other social crimes, which had taken their toll on the image of the country internationally, stowaways should be checked.
“It is a crime that has both economic and security implication, capable of negatively affecting the country’s economy.
“Many of them are not aware of the dangers of such crime as some unscrupulous persons recruit unsuspecting youths into the act,’’ the security expert said.
Nwagbara said that the rate of stowaways on the high seas had led to the rise in maritime security challenges in the nation’s territorial waters.
“It is within the purview of the council (NSC) to relate with the general public in the language they can understand as regards inherent vices in the sector and their consequences,’’ he said.
According to him Nigerians ought to be aware of the results of their acts both at individual and national levels.
“With good enlightenment, many of the youth will be aware of the dangers.
He said, “The increasing attempts by some desperate persons to board merchant vessels as stowaways was at variance with national interest.’’ (NAN)
EUC/AJA
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(Edited by Adeleye Ajayi)