Ship Owners Are Paying Illegal $36,000 Per Month for Secure Anchorage in Nigeria

Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation, on Thursday said certain people are charging ship owners illegal $1,200 per day for secure anchorage in Nigeria.

The minister registered his displeasure with continuous patronage of illegal harbours known within the circle as secure anchorage areas.

Amaechi, who spoke at the ‘2020 World Maritime Day Celebration which held at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos’ said the issue was unsettling.

He said, “There is a crisis in the maritime sector. The crisis is on the issue of security.

“Today, we have a single individual partnering with the military that is collecting $1,200 to the detriment of shipping companies.

“That one individual is still managing the business with support of other institutions.”

The minister also accused stakeholders of doing nothing to these individuals, saying only the government had the right to step up secure anchorage area