By Afolabi Oyekunle.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) desire is to see that Nigeria indigenous ship owners are not lacking behind their foreign counterparts and to help them compete effectively with their foreign counterparts new vehicles will attract zero percentage.
The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh gave the assurance in his office at a media parley in which he spoke about the agency achievements and plans. Dr Jamoh spoke on several issues including issues on safety measures, cabbotage money and revenue drive. He assured that Nigeria will not lack behind on maritime issues, as Nimasa is working towards making the country to compete effectively in the maritime industry.
He assured that the Cabotage money meant to help indigenous shipping industries is safe in a TSA account with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
DG NIMASA (Dr) Jamoh.
Dr. Jamoh said Nimasa is taking the issue of security seriously and would not compromise standard, as the agency will strengthen its security activities. He said the country recorded 12 marine accidents in 2021, compared to 18 in 2020.
The Nimasa boss said the agency had conducted investigation on the accidents and would see that such accidents are afforded in future. He said in line with the International maritime organisation (IMO) standard for all countries, NIMASA has established marine accident investigation unit like its counterpart in the aviation sector. Dr. Jamoh said NIMASA is committed to improve strategic collaboration with the Nigeria Navy, Airforce, Army, Police and the office of the national security adviser.
This move, he said has helped to reduce piracy attack of the coast of the Gulf of Guinea as there was no single attack on Nigeria waters in the 3rd quarter of 2021.
Speaking on the 50billion naira floating dockyard acquired by the Agency, Dr. Jamoh assured that the dockyard which is expected to save the country 36billion naira capital flight yearly will begin operation before the end of the first quarter of the year.
The floating dock is to be handled through a public private partnership, as the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission has given the Agency approval to privatise its operations.
He said the operations of the dockyard was partly delayed by the long process involved in the privatisation of government property.
On staff welfare, he said the Agency accords priority to the welfare of members and has introduced new salary structure which is at the final stage of approval at the presidency, while the working environment has been improved.
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