Maritime
NIMASA Unveils Service Charter In Move To Redefine Service
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has launched its Service Charter, renewing its performance bond in the service of the country, the maritime sector, and its stakeholders.
The Assistant Director, Public Relations, NIMASA, Osagie Edward, revealed this in a statement in Lagos on Wednesday.
He divulged that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, commended the Management of NIMASA for her commitment to improved service delivery in line with the direction of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration.
Oyetola, who was represented by the Director, Maritime Safety and Security, Babatunde Bombata, commended NIMASA for embracing technological advancements, modernizing its operations, thereby improving its productivity and fostering sustainable growth in the maritime sector.
He also congratulated NIMASA on its Service Charter, calling it “a testament to NIMASA’s dedication to providing world-class service to maritime stakeholders, and fostering an environment that encourages sustainable growth in the Marine and Blue economy.
Oyetola said, “This Charter is not just a document, it symbolizes a renewed commitment to service excellence, responsiveness and continuous improvement within NIMASA.
“The Service Charter represents a public bond by NIMASA, to provide high quality, efficient and transparent services to stakeholders in the maritime industry and the general public.
“It is also a tool for accountability that sets out clear expectations for stakeholders and provides a mechanism for the Agency to measure its performance.”
The Minister recalled that the Agency had recently entered into a Performance Bond agreement for Ministerial Deliverables with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
He noted that among the three Management Scorecard Priorities outlined in the MDA Performance Management System (MPMS) is the ‘Service Wide Priorities’ which is aimed at enhancing service delivery throughout the maritime sector.
Earlier, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Eshilokun Sanni, assured that the committee would work closely with NIMASA to provide maximum cooperation in appropriating funds for the Agency to achieve its objectives.
He urged NIMASA as a matter of urgency, to adhere to all service provisions, to become the best in Africa and the World by extension.
On her part, the National Coordinator SERVICOM Office, Presidency, Nnenna Akajemeli, noted that NIMASA is now a model in service delivery and the SERVICOM office in the Presidency has now made NIMASA a reference Agency for others in the country.
In her words, “Let me inform you all that we at the SERVICOM office in the Presidency are proud of the achievements of NIMASA in terms of Service delivery.
“The NIMASA Customer Experience Center is now a model we recommend to all other Agencies of government in Nigeria. We actually advise them to visit NIMASA Experience Centre and replicate same so the connectivity between the Government and the people can improve”.
In his welcome address, the DG, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, stated that the Service Charter was a significant milestone in the Agency’s journey to improve on her commitment in redefining service delivery.
He said, “Service Redefined, encapsulates our commitment to transforming the way we serve our stakeholders, the maritime community and the Nigerian people as a whole. It reflects our dedication to elevating the standards of service delivery, embracing innovation, and fostering a culture of excellence within our organization.
“Our Service Charter outlines our promises to all those who interact with NIMASA, whether they are Ship Owners, Seafarers, Port Operators, or members of the public. It sets clear standards for the quality of service they can expect from us, and establishes mechanisms for feedback and continuous improvement.”
Other dignitaries present at the launch included the Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety Education and Administration, Hon. Uduak Odudoh, Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Commodore Duja Effedua (rtd.), among others.
Maritime
NIMASA Makes Dockworkers Registration Compulsory
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.
Maritime
Maritime Diplomacy: Nigeria Seeks Election Into IMO Council
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.
Maritime
Why PPP Is Necessity For Nigeria’s Maritime Infrastructural Dev’t – Mobereola
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.