Dr Bashir Jamoh : The technocrat behind NIMASA’s success story

Dr Bashir Jamoh :
The technocrat behind NIMASA’s success story

* Driving the wheel of excellence in maritime security

* 2 years of remarkable performance

* Gives Nigeria global
recognition in maritime security, safety

Apparently, Dr Bashir Jamoh, the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has made the maritime industry and the entire Nigerian nation proud with his spectacular achievements in maritime operations.
His performance in the last two years on the saddle as DG of NIMASA’s is unprecedented in the history of the Agency since its establishment in August 1, 2006.

This is the first time in 16 years that the Agency has achieved so much in Maritime security, safety and shipping development, such that Nigeria gained global recognition for fighting
piracy. As a seasoned administrator and maritime expert – Dr Jamoh brings fresh impetus to bear in repositioning NIMASA for great recognition.

Recall that on assumption of office in March 10, 2020, Dr Jamoh unveiled a 3-point agenda on maritime security, safety and shipping development. Only two years down the line, industry players and stakeholders have expressed satisfaction on his performance and administrative competence.

His giant strides in just two years reveals a record of ingenuity, hard work and resilience.

His score card below :
MARITIME SAFETY
The Agency continues to improve its port and flag state functions, which is the core of maritime safety. For instance, the
total port state inspection in 2019 was 726 vessels of the 5,035 vessels calls, which represents 10% improvement from the previous year and 14.42% of the of total ship call.
This is however short of 15% requirement under IMO by 0.8% of which NIMASA is working hard to surpass.
Total port state inspections in 2020 was 510 of 4,728 vessel calls.
(COVID-19 lockdown impacted negatively on the Port State Inspections).

In 2019, the Agency performed a
total of 2,580 flag state inspections representing 2,123 renewal inspections, 276 condition survey and 181 Random Flag State Surveys. This showed 49% increase from 1,737 Total Flag State Inspections carried out in 2018,, comprising 1,241 Flag State Renewal Inspections, 381 Condition Surveys and 115 Random Flag State Surveys.

However, the decrease in 2020 was attributed to the impact of COVID-19 Pandemic.

Marine incidents/accidents:
Sadly, the Agency recorded 22 marine incidents in 2019 and 21 in 2018. Investigations were carried out while some are still on-going.
NIMASA has put in tremendous efforts to mitigate the tide of maritime insecurity in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea through several maritime domain awareness interventions and collaborative efforts.

NIMASA’s efforts in tackling maritime insecurity in
GULF OF GUINEA (GoG):
Passage of the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences Bill.
Establishment of integrated national maritime surveillance and security infrastructure.
International Ship and Port Facility Security (Code) Implementation: Implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code has steadily impacted on the level of security in the nation’s port areas and facilities.
Resuscitation of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System(GMDSS) Equipment

The Regional Maritime Awareness Capacity (RMAC) Centre
International collaboration: NIMASA is currently engaging international stakeholders, including BIMCO, INTERTANKO, INTERCARGO, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and Oil Companies International Maritime Forum-OCIMF, under the auspices of NIMASA/Industry Maritime Security Work Group (NIWG) to entrench coordinated response to piracy attacks.

Collaboration with National Authorities:
The Agency spearheaded institutionalisation of collaboration between her and other frontline maritime agencies for improved maritime safety, security and efficient port operations.

Capacity building milestones :
Human Capacity Development
Statutory financial contribution to Maritime Academy, Oron,
Nigerian Seafarers Development Programmes (NSDP)
Currently, the Agency has trained over 2600 Nigerian Seafarers in various credible maritime institutions UK, Egypt, Philippine and Malaysia.
Recently, the Agency secured the placement of over 400 cadets onboard ships for the mandatory SEA-TIME training to make them globally competitive and employable.
NIMASA also sent some of its staff on long term training abroad to build internal capacities in various aspects of maritime operations at the prestigious World Maritime University.

Indigenous shipping capacity development :
Procurement of the 5th largest modular floating dockyard in Africa to reduce the cost of ship repairs and maintenance.
This milestone achievement comes under a unique Fund known as the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), designed to provide financial assistance to Nigerian Operators in domestic coastal shipping to own vessels and enhance their competitiveness.

Fiscal and Monetary Policy Initiatives:
The Agency continues its engagement with MDAs to entrench an appropriate fiscal and monetary policy initiatives to pave the way for competitive participation of indigenous operators in shipping activities in Nigeria. These include but not limited to:
• A push for the change in terms of trade from FOB to CIF for affreightment of crude oil (NNPC). Single digit interest rate for maritime sector under
CBN/NEXIM BANK/AFRIEXIM).

Engagement with Office of the Vice President/Economic Management Team :
NIMASA under the leadership of Dr Jamoh continues engagement with state governments to buy into its cargo support initiative aimed at creating cargo pool for affreightment by indigenous operators.

Ship Tonnage Growth: Aggressive repositioning of Nigerian Ship Registration Office (NSRO).
The Nigerian Ship Registration Office recorded 13.8% tonnage growth from 2018 to 2019. This trajectory of growth was negatively impacted by the global covid-19 pandemic.
However, the Nigerian Ship Registry ranks second in tonnage measurement in Africa after Liberia, which operates an open and more flexible registry. Remodeling and commissioning of NIMASA Knowledge Centre E-Library. The facility is open to staff, students/researchers and external stakeholders/maritime operators to increase the knowledge base of the Nigerian Maritime Sector

SPECIAL INTERVENTION: COVID-19 RESPONSE AND CSR

The Executive Management of NIMASA recognised from the outset the significant impact of the Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic on the Transport Sector in Particular and the Global socio-economic activities in general, hence set up a multi-disciplinary Committee within the Agency to provide an informed risk assessment with appropriate responses.
A major intervention of the Agency in ensuring the continuous flow of trade was the declaration of Seafarers as KEY WORKERS to facilitate vital crew changes. Nigeria was among the first maritime nations to declare such and was commended by the IMO.

Corporate Social Responsibility support to Federal and State governments by Cash donations of N30 Million (N30,000,000.00) to the Federal Government Committee on COVID-19 Intervention.
N20 Million (N20,000,000.00) cash donation to Lagos State COVID-19 Intervention Task Force.

LOGISTICS SUPPORT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19.
36-Seater Coaster Bus,
16-Seater coaster Bus,
Ambu-lance,
Fast intervention Marine Vessels,
Personal protective Equipment (PPEs), donated to various States.

The Agency also made donations to victims of flood and Internally Displayed Persons across the country.
The 20 States covered across the six
geo-political zones include:
Kaduna State,
Kano State,
Cross River State,
Delta State,
Lagos State,
Niger State,
Benue State, Ogun State, Ondo State and others.

COMMENDATIONS :
The IMO in December, 2020 applauded Dr Jamoh in the fight against piracy in Gulf of Guinea Region. The Specialised Organ of the United Nation had earlier supported his action declaring Seafarers as key workers to facilitate crew changes during the COVID-19 induced international lockdown.
Recently, IMO gave institutional backing to NIMASA’s Marine Litter Action Plan. These and many more are evident of collaboration with the IMO.

Global shipping :
The global shipping and economic climate was greatly impacted by the following in 2020 all through 2021:
COVID-19 lockdown
disruption in the global supply chain; and Slow-down of the economic activities across the globe.

Maritime Safety:
Flag State Implementation (FSO) – Vessels inspected/surveyed in accordance with the safety requirements of MSA 2007.
Conduct of Condition survey for Flag Registration Comparing the number of vessels surveyed for flag registration relative to the previous year, it can be observed that 2021 figure (489 vessels) is 43.6% higher than the total number of condition surveys carried out in 2020 (276 vessels).

Port State Control :
229 foreign vessels boarded to ensure that such vessels maintained safety/pollution standard while in Nigerian ports and waters.
Port State Control Implementation
Comparing the number of vessels boarded relative to the previous year, it can be observed that the 2021 figure (673 vessels) is 24.2% higher than the total number of inspections carried out in 2020 (510 vessels).

Examination and Certification :
Total examination conducted for officers at various capacity and certification for year 2020 and 2021
OFFICERS 2021
Total number of examination conducted 829.
Total candidate passed and certificated 264, forming a percentage of 32%.
Total candidate failed 565, forming a percentage of 68%.
Total certificate revalidated 2021: 246 certificates.
OFFICERS IN 2020
Total number of examination conducted 610
Total candidate passed and certificated 251, forming a percentage of 41%
Total candidate failed 359, forming a percentage of 59%
Total certificate revalidated 2020: 132 certificates.
EXAMINATION RATINGS IN 2020
Total number of examination conducted 1,251
Total candidate passed and certificated 926, forming a percentage of 74%
Total candidate failed 325, forming a percentage of 26%
EXAMINATION RATINGS IN 2020
Total number of examination conducted 1,327
Total candidate passed and certificated 990, forming a percentage of 74%
Total candidate failed 337, forming a percentage of 26%

Online Seafarers Certificate of Competency (CoC) Verification Platform reactivated.
The project has drastically reduced forgery of Nigerian certificates to enhance employment of Nigerian Seafarers in the maritime sector.
Enforcement of Safety Regulations on Barges and Tug Boatds (Operation Sting Ray)
ISO 9001 Quality Assurance Certification for the operation of the maritime Safety. Department Approval of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System for the Maritime Safety and Seafarers Standard Department by Bureau Veritas (BV) in April 2020.
Revival of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) equipment – Necessary for sending alert in an emergency. The GMDSS is to ensure safety of life at sea.
Marine Accident Investigation Data/Information.
Marine Pollution Prevention and Control.
Marine Environment Management.
Nigeria has entered into MoU with Maritime Transport Coordination Centre (MTCC) on Climate Change for Africa to commence activities towards ensuring GHG emission reduction in the maritime sector with emphasis on achieving 0.5% Sulphur Oxide (SO2) in Bunker fuel oil.

Awareness creation :
Establishment of bunker (fuel oil) supply register. Accreditation of laboratories for testing bunker oil.
Capacity building on emission of reduction; and Establishment of Compliance monitoring and Enforcement Team (CMET).
The manual is to contain the price index for determining the quatum of claims for settlement in case of oil pollution.
Update on the Trinity Spirit FPSO.

Maritime Security/
Deep Blue Project:
The Deep Blue Project was flagged off by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, 21st May, 2021.
The Agency took delivery of key assets of the Deep Blue Project including:
Two Special Mission Vessels (SMVs),
17 Fast Interceptor Boats (FIBs),
two Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs),
16 Armoured Vehicles,
some of these assets have been deployed to the Nigerian Navy for its operational use.

The Regional Maritime Awareness Capacity (RMAC) Centre :
Provision of the Regional Maritime Awareness Capacity (RMAC) Centre Kirikiri by the US Navy Upgraded to SEA VISION to allow for monitoring of vessels along the West and Central African region.
NIMASA/Industry Working Group
International collaboration among major international stakeholders in the maritime/shipping sector.
To entrench coordinated response to piracy and other criminalities on the Nigerian waters and prompt reportage and escalation of marine incidences to where action is most expected; and to provide navigational advisory to mariners.

The Maritime Security & Intelligence Unit
For intelligence and information gathering and sharing that can help to stop piracy.

Collaboration with Security Agencies :
At the strategic level, the Agency ensures a close liaison with the offices of the NSA , CNS, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Army Staff and the IGP.
The Agency played pivotal role in institutionalisation of collaboration between her and other government agencies for improved maritime security and safety.

ISPS :
Total number of currently operational onshore facilities in the ISPS unit is Ninety-eight (98) divided into six maritime zones.
For ease of administration because of their locations & accessibility, some zones are further subdivided.

In 2020 VIEs carried out as detailed below for the four (4) quarters
Lagos subdivisions
Apapa – 9
Kirikiri – 12
Ijora & Ijegun – 8 in first & second quarter & 11 in last quarter
Tincan – 8
Port Harcourt – 11
Calabar – 9
Onne – 9
Eket – 4
Warri – 16
Total 87 (Eighty–Seven)

In 2021 VIEs carried out as detailed below for the four (4) quarters
Lagos subdivisions
Apapa – 10
Kirikiri – 12
Ijora – 7
Ijegun – 7
Tincan – 8
Port Harcourt – 13
Calabar – 8
Onne – 10
Eket – 3
Warri – 17
Total 96 (Ninety–Six)

Shipping Promotion and Capacity Development :
NSDP– Training of over 2,600 Nigerian Seafarers in various maritime institutions worldwide.

Assets – Approval for CVFF disbursement to assist in vessel acquisition by indigenous Nigerian Shipowners – Most Nigerian Operators in domestic coastal shipping now own vessels and enhance their competitiveness.
Learning Infrastructure Upgrade
Completion of the renovation and furnishing of the conventional library
Digitization of the convention library books/other resource materials
Renewal of e-library management software:

2022 in Focus :
Dr Jamoh is working tirelessly to
strengthen maritime safety and security enforcement mechanisms. He is also
organising stakeholders’ engagement towards harnessing the potentials of blue economy.
The NIMASA boss is putting measures in place to enhance revenue for increased contribution to the consolidated revenue fund. Others include movement of the Agency’s Headquarters to its newly acquired building in Victoria Island;
Operationalisation of the floating dock;
Establishment of regional maritime safety and security training centre;
Building regional maritime search and rescue clinic; Resuscitatating Lokoja office; construction of NIMASA zonal offices (Central zone and Eastern zone)