“ President Jonathan Should Come To Our Rescue”

Chris Eboseremen

–Chris Eboseremen, indigenous Shipper and CEO Chosen Oil and Gas Company
By Bayo Bernard
We understand that you borrowed money from banks to remove your vessel that was destroyed by the wave two years ago. How much did you spend to remove the wreck?
So far, I took loan from bank to actually purchase the vessel, that was about two years ago. We bought the ship in Liberia and brought her to Lagos because we have been advised to invest in our country, I mean those that love this country. Having brought the ship to Lagos, we were doing engine overhauling to put it in shape so that we can register with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). That was what we were doing when the Anchor gave way, in the early hours of the morning. When that happened, we went to NIMASA to ask for assistance for the rescue of the vessel and crew. On what we have spent so far, we bought that ship for N35 million, spent N18 million for repairs and another N8 million to salvage it and when it could not be salvaged we spent another N16 million to scrap it.
Did you go to NIMASA, since it is the government Agency with statutory duty for Search and Rescue and removal of wrecks from the waterways? What was their response?
Yes, I went to NIMASA that same morning, when I got there, they asked me if there was any crew on board and I said I have about 18 crew members on board, and they said that they don’t rescue vessels that they only rescue lives if involved. And at that time the vessel was about a mile away from the shore, but in less that 10 hours the same day, the vessel has touched ground at Lekki Beach.
Have you tried to contact the Lagos state Ministry of Water-front?
When it happened, I went to several places including Lagos state government; I went to one of the department called Lagos state Water Channel along Dockyard Road, Apapa and they told me they can’t do anything about it. Five days later, I received a call from the State Ministry of Water front that they learnt that my vessel is beached on the ocean, and they asked what I was doing about it, and I replied that I’m trying to get hit (ship) back to the water, and they said they are giving me five days to do that and if I don’t they will seize the ship. They wrote me a letter to that effect. I pleaded with them and they said they were giving me 15 more days, so I went to contract a company and equipment, they came in at first instance nine days, after which I paid N8 million, to try and get the ship back to the water, but we could not, so the next option was to get hit ashore so that it can be scrapped. And so far I’ve done more than 30 per cent of the job. All together I’ve spent N24.5 million on both salvaging and scrapping of the vessel.
Now, In what way do you think the state government needs to intervene, having done all this on your own?
When we were doing the scrapping, the Lagos state government said it is only the Federal government that can intervene, and I was there when President Goodluck Jonathan came, and said the federal government will give the state government some money to get the vessels cleared from the waterways. I went to Lagos state government to ask for assistance to cushion what I’ve spent so far and to complete the work, I met the Commissioner for Waterfront, he said the President has made that promise but has not fulfilled the promise, that they can’t do anything until that is done.
This must have been a harrowing experience for you, what effect is all these having on you and the family?
It has been a very bad experience for my immediate family, my staff and the vessel crew. Actually, at the time the ship was on the water, I had about 18 crew meaning, that I was taking care of 18 families. The loan I took from the bank has been increasing – I mean the interest.
Is there any way you think the President can intervene in this issue?
I believe the President is like President Barack Obama of the United States, that will fulfill any promise he makes. I want to believe that the promise he made to assist the state government and the vessel owners will be fulfilled. When he made that promise to the Lagos state government, to assist in clearing the waterways it was a relief to us - vessel owners and I believe he will live up to that promise. I appeal to the President to expedite action on the issue.