The Federal Government under the leadership of former President Goodluck Jonathan was said to have awarded a maritime security contract to Tompolo’s company in 2011. But the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said the contract was currently being stalled as a result of EFCC’s investigation of the company. Speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt on Sunday, Peterside explained that though the contract with the firm was still subsisting, the contract was no longer enforceable as a result of the ongoing inquiry by the anti-graft agency. Peterside, however, noted that NIMASA was communicating with the firm with a view to resolving issues concerning the contract. He said, “The Global West contract is still subsisting, even though it is not enforceable because Global West is being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. That has made it impossible for us to derive the requisite benefit in that contract. “So, right now, the contract with Global West is stalled and nobody can say he has contributed substantially to the anti-piracy campaign. We are talking with Global West with a view to resolving all the issues.” On the reason for the reduction in pirate attacks on the nation’s waterways, Peterside attributed the development to improved surveillance, intelligence gathering and collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and naval operatives of neighbouring countries. The NIMASA DG disclosed that the agency was pushing for the passage of a dedicated anti-piracy bill, adding that the agency had received support from the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime and the United Nations Development Programme. “Again, we are pushing for the passage of a dedicated anti-piracy bill. We will be the first African country to have a dedicated anti-piracy bill. We have received support from the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime,” he said. “We have received support from the United Nations Development Programme. We have the draft bill before the Ministry of Justice and we are pushing for it to be an executive bill. “Once they finish the vetting, they will send it to the National Assembly. If it is passed, Nigeria would be the first nation in Africa to have a dedicated Anti-piracy Bill. That will provide us the legal framework to fight piracy in our country,” Peterside added. Speaking on the funding of the Nigerian Maritime University, he explained that NIMASA would not be able to fund the institution, adding that it was not within the functions of the agency to fund the university. He pointed out that the new board of NIMASA had brought change to the agency through motivation of workers, adding that while 300 workers were promoted, the agency had attracted more technical training than in previous years. Peterside disclosed that the board of NIMASA had approved the construction of a multi-storey building that would house its zonal office in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.]]>