A Sierra Leonean company is calling on Nigeria’s maritime authority for help.
Prima Maritime Logistics Consultancy & Services Limited claims it is owed $876,462 by Bizonal Success Nigeria Limited.
This debt is for towing the vessel MT Ngol Dande 1 from Luanda Port in Angola to Nigeria.
The towing operation took about 17 months to complete.
Prima Maritime is also asking NIMASA to prevent Bizonal Success and its CEO, Yinusa Abioye Bola, from scrapping the MT Ngol Dande 1.
They argue that this vessel is crucial evidence for recovering the debt. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OYU7dI6iZY
The company has made these requests through its legal representatives, VITALIS AHAOTU CHAMBERS, based in Lagos.
Vitalis Ahaotu, head of the legal chamber, spoke to journalists about the issue.
He emphasized that the lack of NIMASA’s intervention could damage relations between Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
Ahaotu explained that Prima Maritime, led by Managing Director Alim Ganga, entered into a Tripartite Agreement with Fiba Networks Limited and Perculiar Steel and Power Limited.
This agreement involved the management of MV Aaliyah (Baracuda), a vessel registered in Sierra Leone.
Under this agreement, Perculiar Steel and Power was responsible for chartering MV Aaliyah to third parties.
They later signed a Towage Agreement with Bizonal Success Nigeria Limited to tow MT Ngol Dande 1 from Angola to Lagos, Nigeria.
According to Ahaotu, the Towage Agreement outlined a lump sum payment and a delay fee of $3,000 for each day the payment was late.
When MV Aaliyah arrived in Luanda, the crew was arrested.
They were accused of being sea pirates due to allegedly fake purchase documents for MT Ngol Dande 1 provided by Bola.
Ahaotu revealed, “While the crew was detained, Bola collected €11,000 meant for fuel and never returned it.”
During this troubling time, Prima Maritime discovered that Bola was aware the vessels were stolen but failed to disclose this to them.
Eventually, MV Aaliyah successfully towed MT Ngol Dande 1 and reached Nigerian waters on July 31, 2024.
However, since then, Bola has not made any payments to Prima Maritime.
Ahaotu expressed frustration, stating, “Despite arriving in Nigeria, Bola has deliberately refused to pay.”
Adding to the crisis, Ahaotu claimed that Bola has begun scrapping MT Ngol Dande 1.
He emphasized that this vessel is the only evidence Prima Maritime has to claim the owed payment.
Ahaotu suspects that Bola’s actions may involve corrupt practices with certain NIMASA staff.
He noted, “We have information suggesting that Bola has not followed proper procedures with NIMASA and other agencies.”
The total debt of Bizonal Success Nigeria Limited to Prima Maritime is $876,462, excluding additional expenses.
Ahaotu urged NIMASA to take immediate action.
“We want NIMASA to ensure that Bola and his company pay our client the owed amount,” he stressed.
This situation raises concerns about the impact on Nigerian-Sierra Leonean relations.
The maritime industry in West Africa relies on cooperation and trust between countries.
Experts worry that unresolved disputes like this can damage future business dealings.
The Sierra Leonean company’s plea for NIMASA’s help highlights the importance of accountability in the maritime sector.
