The International Maritime Organisation Member States Audit Scheme (IMSAS) has submitted an interim report after its week long audit of the Nigerian maritime sector with a call on Maritime stakeholders especially Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to develop and formalize a long term strategy for the implementation of IMO instruments in the country.
Presenting the interim report, the leader of the IMSAS team, Captain Yalscin Cahit harped on the need for the agency to develop its systems noting that NIMASA had no problems with human resources as he lauded the expertise, competence and commitment of the agency’s personnel.
He also drew attention to the need to fast track enactment of regulations pursuant to IMO instruments for which Nigeria was party to.
Captain Cahit said issuance of regulations was critical to enforcement of IMO instruments.
Captain Cahit who noted that the interim report had 11 findings and one observation emphasized the need for the agency to respond within 90 days to the findings and highlight the strategies being developed to remedy the gaps identified.
He also highlighted positive strides Nigerian maritime sector was making.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside has promised the IMSAS team that the agency together with other stakeholders were committed to the implementation of relevant IMO instruments for the overall development of the Nigerian maritime industry.
The DG who restated that the IMO audit was in line with the vision of NIMASA, also said that the agency would leverage on the findings and observation of the interim report to reposition the Nigerian maritime industry for more efficiency and competitiveness.
While thanking the IMO Audit team to Nigeria for a thorough job done, Dr. Peterside assured the team that the agency would take the report very seriously and in the next one year, most of the identified deficiencies would be drastically reduced if not completely eliminated.
“With the active support of the Honourable Minister of Transportation and the leadership of the agency which is forward looking, focused and determined, Nigeria will certainly regain its lost glory in the comity of maritime nations. NIMASA will immediately settle down to work to address these findings”, the DG said.
The Audit is aimed at promoting consistent and effective implementation of applicable IMO conventions, resolutions and protocols amongst member nations as well as assist member states to improve their capabilities in the enforcement of these instruments for the overall benefit of global shipping.
Photo Caption:
L-R: Alternate Permanent Representative of Nigeria to IMO, Mr. Dikko Bala, Member, International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) Hakon Stohaug, Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Head, IMSAS team to Nigeria Captain Yalscin Cahit and another member, Wei Song during the submission of the preliminary audit report at the Head Office the Agency in Lagos.
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