‘Absence Of Radar Caused MV Zahra Fire’

The panel of Inquiry set up to investigate the cause of the fire that gutted the vessel, MV Zarha, has blamed  the  lack of a radar and shortage of manpower for the incident which happened on 28 june, 2010.

Speaking at the last sitting of the panel in Lagos,  Mr Abdul Ganiyu  Alimi,  an Harbour  Master from Nigeria Ports Authority, said the authority has no radar , hence the effect on MV Zarha.

He said the authority last saw the vessel on 12 January, 2009 on the Nigerian waters while the owner of the vessel claimed  that the vessel has been coming and going  before it went ablaze on 28  June,  2010 .   The harbour master attributed the fault to shortage of manpower, adding that  the authority only operates on audio-visuals.

Among the stakeholders present at the sitting was Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA),  who was represented by the acting Director, Maritime Safety and Classification, Engr. Richard Owolabi, who presented the agency’s report which was turned down by the chairman of the committee, Chief Magistrate Nureni  Kuranga,  because according to him, the representative was not capable of  answering the question as he was not  a member of the panel.       Mobod Fish Limited,  the owners of the vessel, represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Margaret Orakwusi, stated  that the location of the jetty is not safe because the people in the vicinity are into illegal activities . She  told the board that Nigeria has being losing a lot in the area of fishing

The CEO appealed to the Federal Government  to complete the fishing terminal, ensure security of the coastal areas, tackle sea piracy, maintain a clear and  clean  channels through  constant dredging  and to also investgate  the owners of the  bank account  the  pirates use  in collecting ransome from trawlers owners. The panel visited Musheshe Jetty, Kirikiri, scene of the incident, at the end of Friday’s sitting.