…Calls for more collaboration amongst agencies of govt.
The Director General Of thy Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi has commended the professionalism of the officers and men of the Nigerian Army in combating insurgency even in the face of unwarranted criticisms.
Akpobolokemi said this when the commander, 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General David Lubo paid a familiarization visit to the Agency.
While commending the detachment of Nigerian Army personnel posted to the Agency’s Maritime Guard Command, Mr. Akpobolokemi assured the Brigade Commander of NIMASA’s continuous cooperation especially in the area of securing the Nigerian maritime domain.
According to the Director General, “piracy and sea robbery have taken on violent dimensions employing the use of fire arms and the agency is not empowered to bear arms. This necessitated the Agency to enter into Memoranda of Understanding with the relevant security agencies with a view to properly responding to these incidences”.
Responding, Brigadier General David Lubo who expressed readiness of his Brigade to partner with NIMASA to enforce security within the provisions of the law also noted with satisfaction the manner with which the agency has handled the welfare of troops deployed to NIMASA.
He commended the Director General and members of his management for the giant strides so far recorded in the maritime sector and urged him to remain focused on his assignment.
In a related development, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi has stated that collaboration amongst government agencies and organs was required to enhance and promote sustainable development in the nation’s maritime sector.
Receiving the management team of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) at the Maritime House in Lagos, Mr Akpobolokemi said that a smooth working relationship among agencies under the Federal Ministry of Transport would go a long way in providing solutions to challenges facing port operations and other facets of the maritime sector in the country.
He therefore suggested occasional meetings between the leadership of these agencies to serve as a platform to present a common agenda to foster the desired development in the sector.
According to him, “the era of competition is over. We are now in the era of collaboration because the goal is to make Nigeria a maritime hub in the African continent. Regular meetings among the leadership of NIMASA, NSC, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the Railway Corporation and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron will definitely provide the adequate forum to rub minds and jointly propose solutions to the Executive and Legislative arms of Government.”
While commending the management of NSC for recently attaining the status of the Commercial Regulator of shipping activities in the country, Akpobolokemi urged the Executive Secretary, Barrister Hassan Bello and his team not to relent in their efforts to improve services for all stakeholders in the shipping sector, adding that that was key to the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan administration.
In his address, Barrister Bello commended Mr Akpobolokemi and his team for their doggedness in transforming the nation’s maritime sector through various initiatives, especially the newly launched NIMASA Integrated Surveillance System.
He described the Agency as fundamental international institution that had made the country proud among the comity of maritime nations.
Barrister Hassan noted that as the economic regulator, the NSC was concerned with the efficiency in the ports and the cost of doing business in Nigeria, among other responsibilities.
He explained that NSC would require the partnership with NIMASA in order to actualise its mandate.
