By Nse Anthony-Uko
(Sundiata Post) – The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (IMASA) said it would put to stop vessels with high amount of sulphur in fuel that allowed for emission of carbon monoxide into the air from calling at the nation’s seaports.
Ships contribute to emissions of carbon monoxide to atmosphere and this contributes to climate change and if not checked overtime it will have effect on atmosphere and effect on the environment.
But, speaking at a one day National stakeholders forum on Marine Pollution (Marpol) Annex VI and other emerging issues on climate change in the Nigeria Maritime Sector held in Lagos yesterday, the Director-General of the agency, Dr Dakuku Peterside said the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) through Annex VI has put a cap to amount of sulphur and nitrogen dioxide emitted into the air and the amount of sulphur that is contained in the fuel ship used and emitted to the air.
According to him, penalty for vessels that violate the latest convention would be barred from calling at nation’s seaports. “When vessels berth at our various ports, we take sample of fuel and so many other things we do to check the quality of fuels and emissions there off. But, the penalty for violation of Marpol Annex VI would be not allowing such vessels to call in our territorial waters.”
“The principal reason is to raise awareness on impacts of climate change especially the negative impacts of gas emissions from ships to climate change and the IMO has ratified Marpol Annex VI that deal with emissions of gas from ships.”
The DG also argued that Nigeria must address the threat of climate change in other to effectively and efficiently maximise the abundant resources in the nation’s oceans and sea. According to statistics, Nigeria, Libya, Egypt, Morocco contributed a total of 46 per cent of greenhouse gasses in Africa while South Africa unilaterally contributed 38 per cent.
However, the United Nations target to reduce per Gross Domestic Product (GDP), emission from 0.873kg carbon dioxide in 2015 to 0.493kg by 2030. In this vein, the DG stated that the agency is concerned about vessel that emit gases because if Greenhouse Gas not controlled it will endanger the environment and expose it to climate change.
He said, “If we want to use the oceans and seas in a sustainable manner, we need to address climate change and be concerned about vessels that emit gasses that will endanger the environment and expose it to climate change.”
“Since the world economy really relies on shipping, it is just a simple fact that sustainable development will rely on a Sustainable and efficient Maritime Transportation System (SMTS).” Peterside further stated that since demands for shipping services will increasingly from developing countries, Nigeria must align it is activities with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
“As you may be aware, a new global climate change agreement ha been negotiated and agreed in Paris (COP21), and from all indications the demand for Shipping services will increasingly be from developing countries. This assertion is very true for Nigeria and other African countries.
“It is in this regard that NIMASA which is the National Focal point (NFP), for the implementation o the convention in organising this even to support the efforts of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) by aligning our activities with that o the IMO.”
“In line with Nigeria’s commitment in implementing the provisions of MARPOL Annex VI, today’s event should create the necessary awareness and preparedness, in addressing the problems associated with climate change and emerging issues thereof. To this end, Nigerian Shipowners and stakeholders are encouraged TIN take a cue from global maritime industry and it is my belief that this forum will provide us with a starting point.”