The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is set to take delivery of the 5th largest modular floating dockyard on the African continent.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside who stated this in a speech he delivered during the ceremonial launching of four newly acquired 60 ton bollard pull tug boats by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Lagos yesterday announced that the dockyard would save the Federal Government of Nigeria at least, $100 million annually.
Represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, NIMASA, Alhaji Bashir Jamoh, Peterside noted that the amount would be direct savings from the dry docking of vessels operating in Nigeria, which were mostly done outside the country at the moment.
He disclosed that it was the desire of the agency to partner the private sector to run the dockyard.
“This and many more are the initiatives the agency is putting in place to better the fortunes of the Nigerian maritime sector”, he said.
While commending the efforts of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman on the huge investment on infrastructure since assumption of office, the NIMASA helmsman opined that attention had before now always been placed in the recurrent expenditure in Nigeria, but with the advent of the current administration, focus had shifted to the capital expenditure which he added was the catalyst to economic growth and development even as he described it as a right step in the right direction.
“Infrastructural development is very crucial to the growth of the maritime sector and by extension the Nigeria economy. Particularly, now that the Federal Government is diversifying the economy in order to create more jobs and generate revenue, the efforts of the Management of the Ports Authority in Nigeria will go a long way in assisting the government realize its agenda and also help plug revenue leakages in this time that the country is trying to get out of recession.
“You might have read it in the news, but let me also state here that NIMASA will soon take delivery of the 5th largest modular floating dockyard on the African continent. This Dockyard will save the Federal Government of Nigeria, at least, 100 million dollars annually. This will be direct savings from the dry docking of vessels operating in Nigeria, which are mostly done outside the country at the moment. It is our desire to partner the private sector to run the dockyard. This and many more are the initiative the Agency is putting in place to better the fortunes of the Nigerian maritime sector.
“We assure you of our commitment to continue to collaborate with you and other sister agencies and parastatals in the maritime sector in order to realize our mandate of ensuring a safe and secured maritime domain for business activities to thrive and in line with global best practices.
“On behalf of the Board and Management of NIMASA, we say Congratulations!!!…” Peterside stated.
Send your news, press releases/articles as well as your adverts to info@primetimereporters.com. Also, follow us on Twitter @reportersinfo and on Facebook on facebook.com/primetimereporters or call the editor on 07030661526, 08053908817.
