NIMASA, Navy to align curricula on capacity building * Navy vital to achievement of our mandate –Says Dr Jamoh

NIMASA, Navy to align curricula on capacity building

* Navy vital to achievement of our mandate –Says Dr Jamoh

By Udeme Clement :

Plans are at advanced stage to harmonise the training procedures of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and Nigerian Navy to improve safety and security of the country’s maritime space.

This was revealed in Lagos, when the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, played host to the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Admiral Fredrick Ogu, at the Agency’s headquarters.

Jamoh pointed out that a large chunk of the Agency’s budget goes into the training of its workforce, adding that other stakeholders, including the Nigerian Navy, also benefit from training programmes facilitated by NIMASA in the overall interest of the maritime sector.

He said NIMASA would also look at the direction of Naval facilities and how to harmonise the training guidelines, to meet the standards required by International Maritime Organisation, IMO, for certification.

The DG said, “NIMASA invests so much in training of its workforce. Aside from that, we have what we call non-staff educational assistance, which is also geared towards building capacity for the maritime sector, apart from our workforce.

“This we have also done by including Navy personnel whenever the opportunity and the need arise.

“In this wise, we are open to approval of training facilities across the country, as long as they meet IMO’s training standards.”

Dr Jamoh said that NIMASA is not an armed organisation and can not achieve its mandate without the Nigerian Navy.

According to him, “The Navy/NIMASA relationship had come a long way and predated the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, that birthed the Maritime Guard Command, manned by Naval officers and domiciled in the Agency”.

The DG spoke on the Deep Blue Project, also known as Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, which aims to comprehensively tackle insecurity on Nigeria’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone, up to the Gulf of Guinea.

He informed, “Most of our Deep Blue Project assets are already in the country and most of these assets, like the Special Mission Vessels and aircraft would be manned and commanded by the officers of the Nigerian Navy.

“What is causing a little delay in the deployment is the training component, because some of these trainings would be done outside the shores of the country. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a little delay in the training programme.”

Earlier in his comments, Mr Ogu, who was appointed FOC, Naval Training Command, in June, reiterated the need for NIMASA and the Navy to work together closely in training and on other fronts.

He emphasised NIMASA’s role in certification of most maritime-related training programmes.

“I know we have an existing MoU with NIMASA, which makes it easier for us to relate on many fronts.

“The importance of NIMASA to our trainings cannot be overstated. They are the ones who issue certificates for our basic mandatory and survival at sea trainings.

“So, there is need for us to harmonise our training methods to further enhance our capacity,” he said.

The FOC also disclosed that the Navy has training facilities that are available to both Civilians and Military personnel.

He urged Nigerians to willing take up a career in the maritime sector, to take advantage of the Naval facilities across the country.