Critical Shift: NSIB Takes Over Investigations from NIMASA

BY ANTHONY OMOH

Until 2022, Nigeria had no independent body for maritime accident investigation. Previously, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) handled these crucial duties.

This was due to a significant “vacuum” in the country’s safety framework. Director General Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Captain Alex Badeh Jr. confirmed that the Bureau’s formation has changed everything.

According to Captain Badeh Jr., the 2022 NSIB Amendment Act brought a major shift. “The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) prefers an independent accident organisation,” he explained.

Before this change, NIMASA was the only recognised body handling maritime accident investigations. Therefore, this move aligns Nigeria with global best practices. International Maritime Organisation

Why the Shift from NIMASA?

The IMO’s preference for an independent organization is very clear. For a long time, however, NIMASA was the only recognized body.

They were “the only ones doing that,” said Captain Badeh Jr. The NSIB’s new regulations are currently being finalized. This will formalize the bureau’s new status with the IMO.

“The best practice all around the world is to have the investigator different from the regulator.”

Funding Challenges Confronting NSIB

The NSIB faces real funding challenges. The bureau is now seeking a political solution to secure money. The NSIB Act mandates cost recovery from regulators.

These regulators include the NCAA and NIMASA. Director General Badeh Jr. noted that NIMASA sometimes argues its own act requires no such payments.

The NSIB is pushing for better funding. They are considering a return to direct government allocations.

Badeh Jnr. believes that any law passed by the National Assembly should be respected by all parties. He confirmed the bureau will get a solution. Maritime Safety

Struggle to Recruit Maritime Experts

The NSIB is also struggling with staffing. It is very hard to hire experienced maritime personnel. “They make way more money out on sea,” Badeh Jr. explained. The industry’s retirement age is also different. This makes recruitment a constant challenge.

In addition, some new hires have already left for better offers. “We struggle,” he admitted. The NSIB will hire a few new people in September.

They are also looking for retired personnel to join the team. They will also seek secondments from National Inland Waterway Authority (NIWA) and NIMASA personnel.

NSIB, Navy Collaboration

The NSIB, however, enjoys a strong working relationship with the Nigerian Navy. The Navy’s Falcon Eye maritime surveillance network has approved the NSIB to join. This will provide real-time alerts. Badeh Jr. said, “We have a very good relationship with the Navy.”

“We just got approved to join Falcon Eye, which is the maritime surveillance system that they have offshore, which is a suite of cameras, drones, and ships out there. So once our participants get seconded to the Navy for that, we have real-time eyes, at least on our shores, and exclusive economic zone that’s being patrolled by the Nigerian Navy.

“So whenever there’s an accidental incident, we will be aware and like I said, we work with them. So even for the things we don’t have now, we rely on the Navy for now while we procure ours. Some things are really specialized, you know, like the ROVs, remote-operated vehicles.

He added that a NIMASA-owned helicopter helped them during a recent crash. This shows the value of collaboration. Badeh Jr. said the NSIB will rely on the Navy for now. This is for specialized equipment they do not yet have. They are working hard to procure their own, however.

The director general remains optimistic. He acknowledged that “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” He plans to do his best for the bureau during his three-year tenure.

This will ensure a lasting legacy. The NSIB’s mission is to secure maritime safety for all Nigerians.

The NSIB faces a clear and critical task ahead. It must finalize its maritime regulations to gain full legal footing.

It must also resolve funding challenges with NIMASA and other agencies further deepen collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and others for long-term safety.