Dakuku: Repositioning NIMASA is our commitment …Sets to donate 1,000 life jackets for jetty operators
Dakuku: Repositioning NIMASA is our commitment
.Sets to donate 1,000 life jackets for jetty operators
By Udeme Clement
The DG of NIMASA:
The Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside has stressed that the Board and entire management of the Agency are committed to ensuring that NIMASA responds to its core mandate of advancing Nigeria’s global maritime goals.
Dr Peterside, who stated this at a media chat in Port Harcourt, said their efforts attracted commendations from various sections of the country.
According to him, “We are putting a lot of structures in place to ensure the Agency remains on a sound footing. Our efforts have attracted commendation from the Federal Executive Council, FEC, as well as stakeholders within and outside the maritime sector”.
He added, “We can only get better in our determination to make the Agency perform the functions for which it was set up, and to make it the leading maritime administration in Africa. This is why we are continuously working hard and poised to making Nigerians reap the benefits of the sector”.
Speaking further the NIMASA DG said, “Transformation of the Agency has been phenomenal in terms of repositioning and revenue generation. NIMASA is among the top five agencies contributing to the coffers of the Federal Government”.
His words, “NIMASA is working continuously in collaboration with relevant security agencies to ensure protection of Nigerian waterways and by extension, the Gulf of Guinea”.
He particularly commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to maritime sector development, by giving needed support to carry out reforms, policies and programmes that impact tremendously on the fortunes of the industry.
On the recent boat mishaps around the country and Rivers State in particular, he expressed sadness over the incidents but was quick to add that, NIMASA would work with the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, to promote safety and safer ways of water transportation. He promised to personally donate 1,000 life jackets to jetty operators in Rivers State, as a way of promoting safety consciousness.
The Agency recently reinforced its commitment to safety of lives and properties in the maritime sector, which was evident by the shutting down of some facilities for not conforming to International Ships and Ports Facility Security, ISPS, Code.