Maritime
Capacity building:NIMASA to partner with Royal British Navy
……Congratulates new NGE president
By Kunle Kalejaye
LAGOS-THE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA has reiterated that capacity building is important to the growth and development of Nigerian maritime sector.
For this reason, NIMASA’s Acting Director General, Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro said the agency is prepared to partner with the British Military in this regard.
R-L: Mr. Edward Dunn Political Officer, Niger Delta of the British High Commission, Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro, Ag. Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Commander Shaun Quinn, BMATT Staff Officer and the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA when the British Military Advisory and Training Team (BMATT) paid a courtesy visit to the Head Quarters of the Agency in Lagos.
Receiving a delegation from the British Military Advisory and Training Team, BMATT led by Commander Shaun Quinn of the Royal Navy during a courtesy visit to the Agency, Mr. Jauro said the willingness is there to partner with the British.
He added that the relationship between the British and the Nigerian government dates back to the pre colonial era and that the Agency is willing to consolidate on the already existing relationship, especially in the area of training for the growth and development of the Nigerian maritime sector and the nation at large.
“The Agency is willing and ready to collaborate with the British Military in the area of training of our personnel because training is part of capacity building and capacity building is key to the growth and development of the maritime sector”, the DG said.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation who is also the BMATT Staff Officer Maritime, Commander Shaun Quinn noted that the reason for the visit was to know some of the functions of the Agency and to also discuss possible areas of collaboration with the Agency as regards training of its personnel towards enhancing a virile and safer maritime sector.
Commander Quinn also said that the British High Commission is busy refreshing relationships with the country since a new administration took over and that the British Military will always be ready to build a closer working relationship with the Nigerian government where the interest of both countries is put into consideration to enhance trade facilitation and security on the nation’s waterways.
In another development, NIMASA has conveyed its congratulatory message to the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE for the emergency of their new elected members.
At the recent All Nigerian Editors Conference, Mallam Garba Deen Muhammad, the former Deputy President, became the President, while Mr. Steve Ayorinde, who was Vice President (West) was elected Deputy President and Mrs Funke Egbemode, the former Social and Publicity Secretary is now Vice President (West).
In the letter to the NGE President, the NIMASA Acting DG NIMASA, Mr. Jauro described the election as a mark of the confidence Nigerian editors reposed in the trio as a result of their outstanding performance in previous responsibilities.
Confirming the message, NIMASA in a statement signed by the Head Public Relation, Hajia Lami Tumaka stated that the agency Acting DG also said that the development was in line with the commitment of the Guild to ensure that journalists at all levels continue to discharge their noble roles as required of the Fourth Estate of the Realm.
Recalling the nationalistic roles of leading lights in journalism, among whom were Ernest Ikoli, Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo, Mr Jauro urged the NGE to be in the forefront of the reawakening movement and the deepening of Nigeria’s unity in diversity.
“Our dear country is at a time when all citizens, particularly professional groups like the NGE ought to rally behind the ongoing drive towards probity in every aspect of our national life in order to set Nigeria on the path of progress. Given the pedigree of the NGE leadership, I have no doubt that you all are well equipped and prepared for the onerous tasks ahead,” the DG admonished.
The Agency has over the years provided support for the Guild and other media associations as part of its commitment to the development and growth of its various stakeholder groups.
The management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has advised International Oil Companies, terminal and jetty operators, and all other companies involved in stevedoring in the country to refrain from engaging unregistered dockworkers.
The information was contained in a statement made available to Biztellers by the Head, Public Relations, NIMASA, Osagie Edward.
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According to the statement, all stakeholders, including dock labour employers and stevedoring companies, are encouraged to apply for new operating licenses or renew expired ones within a 30-day moratorium period.
“This requirement,” it added, “is stipulated by the NIMASA Act of 2007 and outlined in the NIMASA Stevedoring Regulations of 2014, which mandates strict compliance from all maritime operators.”
Osagie cited the Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola as laying emphasis on the need for stakeholders to comply with extant laws and regulations.
Dr Mobereola said, “No terminal or company shall continue to engage the services of unregistered dockworkers for cargo handling at their work locations.
“This move is part of our broader effort to ensure safe and regulated operations within Nigeria’s maritime industry. Compliance with these regulations will enhance our ability to maintain an up-to-date database of dockworkers operating in the country. It also improves our planning processes, as we are committed to developing their capacity to meet globally accepted standards for dockworkers in Nigeria. We intend to enforce full compliance after the moratorium period.”
It was gathered that the NIMASA Act, 2007, Part IX, Section 27, addressed the registration of Dockworkers with focus on Maritime Labour.
“It ensures the Registration, Regulation, and control of Maritime Labour, including dockworkers. The Act assigns the Agency the responsibility of maintaining standards in accordance with international best practices,” Osagie added.
Nigeria has expressed a strong desire to seek election into Category “C” of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council.
The Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, made the disclosure at the 2024 World Maritime Day parallel event in Barcelona, Spain.
Oyetola noted that Nigeria has put in place the basic needs for the development of her maritime industry in line with recognized global best practices.
In his words, “our active participation in upholding key conventions, such as the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, reflects our dedication to ensuring the safety of international shipping.
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There have been no incidents of piracy in the last three years, as confirmed by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). By deploying resources to provide maritime security assets, Nigeria has solidified its role as a key guardian of maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Nigeria remains a valuable source of manpower for the industry. I therefore urge our partners to explore this potential and assist where possible in the best interest of all. Our Maritime Academy has adequate resources and facilities to support this development.
“I am pleased to announce Nigeria’s resolve to seek a Category “C” membership on the Council.
On his part, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, assured that no stone will be left unturned to ensure success in the quest for IMO Category C membership at the next elections.
According to him, “We at NIMASA have met with the IMO technical team and have commenced work on all identified grey areas so that Nigeria can address the gaps identified during the last audit by the IMO.
”We have also commenced the process of effective communication with other member states using the IMO GSIS platform, among others. While we at NIMASA focus on the technical aspects of the preparations, our supervising Ministry will provide the political will to guide Nigeria back to the Council at the IMO.”
Oyetola, who held engagement sessions with the IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez and other diplomats, was accompanied on the working tour by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola; the Director General of the NIMASA; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; the Managing Director of NIWA, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji; and the Director of Maritime Safety and Security Services, Mr. Babatunde Bombata.
This year’s parallel event with the theme: Navigating the Future: Safety First, brought together international maritime leaders and experts to discuss future challenges and opportunities, with the aim of ensuring that safety is prioritized in the day-to-day operations of the global maritime sector.
The adoption of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model is essential for the infrastructural development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
This is the view of the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola.
The DG, shared his views while hosting the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh.
He emphasized the importance of the Commission’s increased involvement in attracting private investors to develop infrastructural capacity in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
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Dr. Mobereola said, “We appreciate the Management of the ICRC for being responsive. However, you know that the maritime sector is capital intensive and government funds cannot solely put in place the required infrastructure. We need the ICRC to develop PPP based business models that will be attractive to the private sector both from within and outside the country.
“There is the need to streamline processes by the use of technology, as we will continue to count on the support of ICRC to help drive the Agency’s PPP projects for effective and efficient service delivery to our stakeholders”.
Lending support to Dr. Mobereola’s views, Dr. Ewalefoh, underscored the significance of the maritime sector to Nigeria’s economy.
He noted that the PPP model would facilitate increased funding and expertise from the private sector, thereby accelerating the growth and development of the Nigerian maritime sector. Additionally, he stated that the ICRC is prepared to engage with the Agency on its projects and ensure timely execution.
“There is no time to waste; our country needs lots of funding for infrastructure and we need to create an enabling environment for activities to thrive. First, is service delivery, not revenue generation, and people will be willing to pay if they get the right services”, the ICRC boss noted.
The PPP model has proven to be the most viable approach worldwide for driving government policies that promote development and economic growth.
Biztellers reports that as a regulatory agency and Nigeria’s Maritime Administrator, the NIMASA has consistently embraced collaboration and partnership through the PPP initiative to ensure the growth and development of the maritime sector.
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