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US, France To Grace MASPAN Seminar On Drug/Human Trafficking

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BY FUNMI ALUKO

The National Drugs and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), international and local shipping companies and a number of foreign embassies including the  United States and France have reportedly committed to a conference on Smuggling & Human Trafficking being organized by the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) and the Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO).

L-R: Chief Agassi Peter , Co chairperson MASPAN/AMANO event,MASPAN/AMANO President, Mr.Emmanuel Maiguwa & MARAN President, Mr Godfrey Bivbere

The Planning Committee Chairman of the conference, Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa who disclosed above during a press conference at the Maritime Reporter’s Association of Nigeria (MARAN) Secretariat Lagos on Friday, said the event is scheduled to hold on Thursday, August 22nd, 2024 at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to Maiguwa, the event which will be chaired by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Gboyega Oyetola, CON, is expected to introspect the nature of the criminal enterprise with a focus at outlining and executing workable deterrence and prevention.
Maiguwa emphazised that AMANO and MASPAN feel greatly concerned with the rising incidents of drug trafficking aboard cargo ships calling the Nigerian ports, as well as the prevailing and increasing cases of stowaways migrants leaving the country under unsafe conditions.
He said, “Ships have been detained for several months while their crew were placed on trial and forced to remain without seeing their families for several years in cases of drug smuggling. At the end of this conference, we hope that stakeholders will arrive at workable solutions and mandate a working group to ensure the actualization of the resolutions reached.
“On the part of human trafficking, cases of stowaways, especially in Lagos ports have continued to cause delays to vessels when they are found before vessel departure. Cases where discoveries were not made before departure have continued to burden shipowners because of the very complex administrative protocols involved in handling stowaways on ships.”
Maiguwa also explained that MASPAN/AMANO are also very concerned about the level of disruption drug smuggling and human trafficking poses to international shipping  in terms of increased cost and the traumatic seafarers are subjected.
The planning committee chairman notes that the challenge is not only local but international, and hence the need to a broad based engagement, both domestic and international.
“The goal is to align with critical agencies in making sure that Drug and Human Smuggling/Trafficking in the maritime domain are reduced; if not eradicated, perpetrators are penalized in a way innocent parties are not made to pay the price, and the industry is not deprived of its growth potentials.
“We have equally secured the support of the key agency responsible for narcotics in Nigeria, the National Drugs and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which has committed to fully participating in the panel discussion.
“The Embassies of the United States and France, the International and local shipping companies have also shown keen interest and are set to attend the event.”
He however said that the event is strictly by invitation and registration, and enjoined stakeholders with interest to contact the Planning Committee.
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